Special Teams Soccer

Our Program is designed to allow "Special Needs" Athletes
the opportunity to play a team sport.

Not only do we teach our players soccer but we teach them how
to work together as a team. But most of all we allow them to have
fun.

Our program also helps build socialization skills that help in other
areas of our lives. We play every Spring and Fall season. Every
May we particiapte in the Special Olympic State Games. Where if
I may say we do very well. Our Athletes look forward to Soccer
every season.

Blue Roses
(a true story written by Hal Steenson)

Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and
there's no detergent?

I guess it was time for me to do my "Dollar Store" run, which included
light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout
counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be
about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize
that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air
and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled
as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by.
His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said,
"Hey Buddy, what's your name?"
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.
"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name;
I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal."

"Hal like Halloween?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"
"How old am I now Mommy?" he asked his mother
as she slowly came over from the next aisle.
"You're fifteen-years-old Denny. Now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more
minutes about summer,
bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement
because he was the center of someone's attention.
He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me
for taking the time to talk with her son.
She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk
to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something.
I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that "there are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's garden, however,
Blue Roses are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness.

You see, Denny is a 'Blue Rose' and if someone doesn't stop
and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness,
then they've missed a blessing from God."

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked,
"Who are you?"

Without thinking I said,
"Oh, I'm probably just a daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,
but I sure love living in God's garden."