Gateway Travel

ROCHELLE LIEBERMAN

And The Staff Of

Other sponsors are West Bloomfield
Schools Community Education, West
Bloomfield Parks and Recreation,
Panera Bread and the Michigan
Jewish Sports Foundation, which
launched the games in 1986 as a
Special Olympics competition.

„.„
. tatilisY
Rabbi David Nelson was just as proud as
daughter Debra of her accomplishments.

In the afternoon, there were
freestyle swimming races and even
non-swimmer water events. Later,
everyone received a replica of an
Olympic gold medal. A dessert gala,
dance and closing ceremonies capped
the day.

Happy Sounds

Volunteer Joy

Mona Mertz of Oak Park volunteered
this year because she "loves people,"
and, as an orthodontist's assistant, it's
natural for her to help children.
Helen and Sam Greenblatt of
Commerce also said the "love of chil-
dren" got them to volunteer.
Peter Stein of Farmington Hills
gave up his Sunday golf game to vol-
unteer. Debra Anstandig, 16, of West
Bloomfield sang the U.S. and Israeli
national anthems, after pinch-hitting
last year when the intended vocalist
didn't show up.
Rabbi David Nelson of
Congregation Beth Shalom, whose
daughter, Debra, 31, competed in the
games, seemed to sum up the feelings
of many: "Debra is my hero ... and
all of these youngsters are heroes to
their parents. It's a mark of excellence
in our community that these organi-
zations should band together and put
on the games for the benefit for those
with special needs."

The success of the games could be
gauged by the laughter and squeals of
delight by the athletes as they com-
peted, the beaming faces of parents
and relatives, and the applause and
atta-boys” from volunteers. There
were three competitors in each event,
so that the winner got a blue ribbon,
the runner-up a red ribbon and the
third-place finisher a white ribbon.
A number of athletes walked
around clenching a fist-full of blues.
Brenton Dill, 13, of Commerce had
five; Leah Gilbert, 18, of West
Bloomfield won four; Robbie
Howard, 36, of West Bloomfield also
had four, having competed all of the
15 years.
"Every athlete really is a winner,"
said Nancie Furgang, JCC special
needs director. "Everyone gets a rib-
bon and a medal, so there are no los-
ers." She was reluctant to discuss how
much the games cost, other than to
o.*AOISIK -„4.1
say, "They are very costly ... that's
Samantha Young, 12, of Keego Harbor
why we're thankful to all of our spon-
gives
her brother Alex, 9, a victory hug.
sors." She was instru-
mental in adding West
Bloomfield Township
and West Bloomfield
schools to increase the
number of athletes.
Mari Kaftan of West
Bloomfield and Barbara
Larky of Oak Park, co-
presidents of Northwest
Child Rescue Women,
said the organization
donates $20,000 to the
games each year, plus
$10,000 from a recent
Fashion Games fund-
raiser at the Neiman-
Nadine Aaron of West Bloomfield
Marcus store in Troy.
finished second in the wheelchair race.

"

❑

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JASON & ANNIE
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Master Cara

9//ie wish our rapelinq
a very health hall)
and prosperous
en) ear.

ILENE BERKE & THE STAFF OF

BERKLEY TOURS

ki

9/14

2001

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