Bags for Benches: Trex, Special Olympics partner to create special benches

Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Special Olympic athlete Bilal Alexander showcases the bench dedicated to his friend and supporter, Muriel “Sam” Edwards.
Special Olympic athlete Bilal Alexander showcases the bench dedicated to his friend and supporter, Muriel “Sam” Edwards.

Special Olympics in Kent is collecting plastic grocery bags for donation to the Trex Corporation, which, in return, provides benches that the athletes can dedicate to people who make their lives better.

The initial four benches were dedicated to John Ferlito, Kevin Hockett, Muriel “Sam” Edwards, and Kathy Repinski. The campaign is ongoing. Officials say 300 pounds of bags is needed to create a bench, and the goal is to dedicate the next one later this spring.

Raising funds: Streetsboro athlete, friends raise Special Olympics of Ohio funds

Kent City Schools has partnered with Special Olympics in Kent for more than three decades, offering athletic facilities at Stanton and Roosevelt for practices and competitions. During that time, hundreds of community volunteers and members of the student body have volunteered and worked with Special Olympians and their families.

Kent Special Olympics offers track and field, flag football and swimming.

“Whether it’s coaching a sport or fundraising for travel expenses, we appreciate the skills and expertise Special Olympics volunteers offer to make this program a success,” Justin Gates, Kent City Schools' assistant superintendent, said.

Gates said a team of volunteers, led by retired Kent City Schools teacher Linda Ferlito, stand out for their passion and commitment to the Special Olympics in Kent.

For many volunteers, it’s a family affair.

“My daughter Logan and son Jake are both coaches, as was my late husband, John," Ferlito said. "Diana Harrod, who helped start the Kent Special Olympics program, has two children involved, Kelli and TJ. The Motz family − Fran, Gary and Chrissy Motz − has raised more than $100,000 for uniforms, entry fees and travel expenses. Laurie Bierce, a swimming and diving coach, volunteers with her daughter. Husband and wife Paul and Pat Welch both serve as coaches. Volunteers often stay involved in the program for years because they get so much out of it.”

For more information about Kent Special Olympics or to donate plastic bags, contact Ferlito at flinda@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Trex, Special Olympics collecting bags for bench dedications