Special Olympics leaders bring passion, expertise to games Published April 15, 2015 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler's Special Olympics organization is like a mosaic of various shapes, textures and colors. Some volunteers are smooth from years of experience, while others are sparkling new. When all the parts come together, it's a true work of art. This year, Mississippi Special Olympics is celebrating its 40th year, and Keesler is hosting the annual state competition for the 29th year. Keesler's project officers for the May 8-10 state games, Capt. Joshua Tate, Jackie Pope and Maj. Benjamin Martin, bring different talents and backgrounds to the leadership team. Tate, a 335th Training Squadron personnel officer course instructor, is serving as a project officer for the second year. "I've always looked for ways to get involved with the base and the community," said Tate. "I typically do it through coaching youth sports, but Special Olympics is a good way to give back." When he arrived at Keesler three years ago, he was very surprised to learn about the base's unique approach to hosting Special Olympics. "I thought it would be similar to what we do on other bases where we help coordinate volunteers for games that are held off base," he explained. "At Keesler, we house the athletes in our dorms and most of the games happen here on base." For Tate, the biggest challenge is the early planning stage when leaders are faced with a multitude of responsibilities to be coordinated. "You're hoping all the great people from last year return to take on the challenge again this year," he observed. "When we lose an experienced committee head, it's always a challenge trying to find the right replacement. That said, it always amazes me as people leave Special Olympics here at Keesler, there are about 10 new volunteers wanting to take their places - that speaks volumes about Keesler's volunteer spirit." The captain is proud of Keesler's technical training students who open their dorms and their hearts to the Special Olympians each year. The "corporate knowledge" for Keesler's program is Jackie Pope, a 30-year Air Force civilian who has been involved with Special Olympics for 17 years. She started in 1998 as the volunteer contact for the games and began chairing the program with a military member two years later. She now serves on the Mississippi Special Olympics board of directors. Pope, the 81st Force Support Squadron's Airman and Family Readiness Center section chief, said, "Many people think that this is part of my job, but it isn't - it's something I do because I want to. I come in on my day off for meetings and work the entire weekend without compensation, as do all of our other volunteers. It's become an annual family for me, my husband and my sister." A reduced force has made it more challenging to maintain an adequate volunteer manpower pool, but Keesler has managed to make it work for Special Olympics, according to Pope. "We use our non-prior service Airmen as sponsors, pairing two Airmen to every athlete, and then maintain a volunteer force to assist with setup, logistics and other needs," she stated. Maj. Benjamin Martin from the base legal office is serving as a project officer for the first year. He arrived at Keesler last July and this is his first experience with Special Olympics. However, he's experienced with other projects that involve large numbers of volunteers. "I previously ran base-wide efforts for the Combined Federal Campaign and Air Force Assistance Fund, so I have some experience in managing large swaths of volunteers towards a common good," Martin pointed out. "I have never heard of any base that comes anywhere close to the support Keesler gives to the games," the major continued. "It's incredible. How can you not want to put your name in the hat?" Martin drew comparisons between Special Olympics and Keesler's recent air show and open house. "At a typical airshow, we show off our fancy airplanes," he noted. "The public learns about our mission and what the Air Force has to offer the nation. At Keesler, we're a training base. Our mission is the Airmen that are being trained to go do amazing things out in the Air Force. With an event like the Special Olympics, we're showing off our bright and shiny Airmen. That's pretty cool." The project officers agree that the excitement and joy on the faces of the athletes keeps them coming back year after year. It's often a life-changing experience for first-time volunteers. "You might be nervous if you've never interacted with a Special Olympian, but smiles and warm hugs from the athletes really take away most people's reservations," Tate remarked. "I always walk away learning so much from them, about how to truly love other people and be grateful for the gift of life." Pope stressed that for many Special Olympians, the event at Keesler is the only annual outing from their state home or regional center. "It's rewarding to see their faces when they arrive at the base on Friday, meet their Airman sponsors, compete on Saturday and enjoy themselves at the victory dance that night," she said. "They want the same things we all do - to be accepted, loved and appreciated. "We're always looking for volunteers," Pope added. "If nothing else, they can cheer the athletes as they compete. Many won't have family members here to support them, and they appreciate hearing the cheers and applause." To volunteer, call 228-376-7667 (SOMS).