The Special Olympics of Coffee and Dale honored JR’s Lawnmower Shop on Thursday for its support.

Lewin Lloyd, who works at JR’s and volunteers with the Special Olympics, said that they are looking for more participants in the for the events.

“I started halfway through the winter league,” Lloyd said.

They bowl Monday afternoons at Boland Lanes in Enterprise, he said.

“There’s an adult with each team,” he said. “A lot of folks don’t know about it, and I want to let them know about it. The kids enjoy it so much.”

Lloyd said he got involved after a good friend he goes to church with told him about the program.

“I knew it was something I definitely wanted to get involved with,” he said.

Lloyd said that Joe Richburg, owner of JR’s Lawnmower Shop has been supportive of his volunteerism and allows him to leave three hours early.

“I’ve learned to appreciate it,” he said. “These kids truly don’t have a disability. I’ve also learned to change my attitude. Why should I be grumbling about a sore ankle or sore back? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. “

Warren Bowron, director, said there are 24 athletes and 24 partners who participate.

Bowron and Lloyd presented Richburg with a bowling pin on Thursday after he made a donation to the program.

Bowron said the Unified Special Olympics has been around for 25 years, and they are hoping to expand to Covington and Geneva Counties as well.

“I’m going to the state office to see how to do that,” he said. “There are special needs athletes that need to be serviced. We are thankful to JR’s and Lewin for being involved.”

Through Special Olympics and the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success.

Special Olympics is the leading voice in raising awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.

Among the sports available through the Coffee-Dale group is swimming, bowling and track and field.

Bowron said they are expanding to include flag football and hope to bring in baseball, softball and volleyball.

“It is open to anybody who would like to be a part of Special Olympics,” he said.

Richburg said, “It’s a good thing to be a part of. I’m glad I have an employee who wants to participate in something like that.”

Anyone interested in the program, may contact Bowron at 334-477-6047.