SSSRA Honors Tinley Park Athletes

SSSRA (South Suburban Special Recreation Association) held their annual Athletic Banquet on January 25, 2018. Special Olympic athletes, Unified Partners, coaches, and family members enjoyed dinner and an awards presentation at Wiley’s Grill in Flossmoor.

Sixteen athletes from Tinley Park participated in Special Olympics programs this year, including Special Olympics Powerlifting, Special Olympics Basketball, and Special Olympics Softball.

A Community Service Award was presented to Sgt. Bill Devine who has worked with SSSRA since 2012 in expanding our annual Special Olympics and Police Officer Basketball Game. Sgt. Devine also participates in numerous fundraisers including the Super Polar Plunge, the Texas Roadhouse Benefit Lunch, and Dunkin’ Donuts Cop on Rooftop.

SSSRA offers the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics sports as a Unified Partner. Unified teams combine Special Olympics athletes and partners, such as parents, siblings, and friends to play side by side. The Unified Partner of the Year is Judy Knauf of Tinley Park.

SSSRA is a therapeutic recreation program that is an extension of eight park districts and three recreation and parks departments. It is organized to provide individuals with disabilities or special needs, the opportunity to be involved in year-round recreation.

Programs are available for all ages and ability levels. In addition to Special Olympics programs, SSSRA offers Summer Day Camp, animal therapy, trips, dances, music therapy, arts & crafts, and more.

Please visit www.sssra.org or call 815-806-0384 for additional information.

Photo Caption: (l-r) Judy Knauf, Unified Partner of the Year;
Sgt. Bill Devine, Recipient of the Community Service Award