Special Olympics is Looking for Volunteers
Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) is again offering free health screenings at the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Summer Games in Whitewater on Friday June 7, 2024. Opening Eyes is one of four health screenings being offered, providing vision assessments to SOWI athletes. Athletes in need of prescription glasses receive dress and/or sport/swim goggles, which are mailed to their local program manager about 3 months after the event. Athletes that do not require prescription glasses receive designer sun glasses when exiting the venue.
If you’ve volunteered your time in the past, thank you! If you are considering whether or not to volunteer for the first time, know that your help is truly needed. At these events, it’s common for us to encounter athletes who have never received proper eye care and are in desperate need of it. It’s rewarding to get these athletes the care they need, as well as to be able to refer them out when they are in need of further treatment.
Remember that support staff are needed as well; we can always use help from technicians, opticians, and optometry students looking for volunteer opportunities, in addition to family and friends. Please extend this information along to anyone who can help.
Register to volunteer online here: https://cerv.is/0392gfD3UYc or contact Kim Jelinske at The Vision Therapy Center at 262-784-9201 or sowioe@thevtc.com.
Event Schedule: Saturday, June 7, 2024
- 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Volunteer Check-In & Training Session
- 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Vision assessments (doors close at 3:30pm, no new athletes after that time)
- 11:00 a,m,-1:00 p.m. Volunteers shift out for lunch
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pack-up supplies/equipment
Equipment Needed:
Optometrist volunteers please bring your hand instruments
(ophthalmoscope, retinoscope, transilluminator) and prescription pad.
Attire:
Casual attire, volunteers will be given an Opening Eyes tee shirt at the time of your arrival to wear for the day. Occasionally rooms get warm, so we recommend bringing a water bottle to keep with you throughout the day.
Thank you for considering volunteering at the SOWI State Summer Games Opening Eyes event in Whitewater!
