McNeill Family, Forsyth County Volunteers

“Good morning, we have some souvenir programs for you,” said Phil McNeill to several parents entering Reynold’s gym at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. It was the first full day of competition at the 2008 Special Olympics North Carolina Basketball & Cheerleading Tournament and Phil was enjoying his role as information services manager. His wife Nancy handed a program to the parents and then helped answer their questions on where to eat lunch in the area.

In the next moment, the McNeill’s daughter, Leslie, Volunteers Manager at the venue could be heard assisting some volunteers. “Thanks for coming today, let me explain the job I’ve got for you.”

The McNeill’s from Colfax, made the Tournament a family affair. Phil and Leslie were part of the Games Management Team and had been planning and preparing for the Tournament for months. The family had a wonderful time meeting athletes, parents and cheering on the teams that competed at their venue.

“I love being part of the Tournament,” said Leslie. “Everyone is having a great time and the competition is really impressive.”

Volunteering at the Tournament was especially important to the McNeill’s because the family was honoring the memory of Phil’s sister Kaye, a Special Olympics Chatham County athlete, who died more than two years ago.

“I love Special Olympics,” said Phil. “I remember being Kaye’s softball coach. She competed in the softball throw for years. I taught her the big league wind up and had her looking like a pro and then she’d release the ball and it would travel a few feet. It always got our family laughing. We were always very proud of everything she did.”

The family tries to volunteer with Special Olympics as often as they can. They know first-hand the positive impact participation can have on a person with intellectual disabilities and their family. The McNeill’s are already looking forward to volunteering in November for the SONC Fall Games in High Point and again in their backyard for the 2009 Basketball & Cheerleading Tournament in Winston-Salem and Clemmons.

Special Olympics North Carolina is now accepting volunteer registration forms for the SONC Summer Games, June 6-8 in Raleigh. Come join the fun!

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