The document summarizes the author's experience volunteering at a Special Olympics event in Florida. The author helped raise money by selling merchandise and working at a tent. Though she did not work directly with participants, she felt like she was part of something bigger by helping raise thousands of dollars. The experience impacted her by opening her eyes to a possible career in special education teaching. She enjoyed being a volunteer and plans to continue supporting Special Olympics events.

1. Lending A Hand With The Special Olympics Florida Amy Johnson AJohnson48@knights.ucf.edu April 23, 2010 EEX 4070 – Teaching Exceptional Children

2. Early Perceptions

3. Introduction to the Setting Special Olympics Florida 1105 Citrus Tower Blvd. Clermont, Florida 34711 Specialolympicsflorida.org

4. Site/CommunityDemographics The merchandise tent where we sold Special Olympics tee-shirts, toy bears, traveling coffee mugs and raffle tickets. Logo for the event

5. Personal Demographics Originally from New Jersey and Pennsylvania My ethnicity is Ukrainian. I played soccer and volleyball up until freshman year of college. I am pursuing my Bachelors Degree for Elementary Education but am open to teaching Intermediate and Special Education. I love to travel so during the summers, I plan on being a teacher chaperone for People to People Student Ambassador Program of which I had the opportunity of traveling with as a student.

6. Engagement Activities I am working so tediously if I might say!!!!

7. Participant Demographics Pictures of some cars at the festival. Pictures of some cars at the festival. Myself and Jane Smith who is the Administrative Assistant for Sports & Training “I sincerely thank you for coming out today and helping raise money. I don’t know what we would have done without you. You had great energy and a kind heart. You battled the heat and went for it. Thank you!”

8. Reflection Even though I did not work one-on-one with persons with special needs, I was a part of something bigger. I helped thousands of participants by volunteering with Special Olympics Florida. This project has made an impact on me because I like really enjoyed being a part of success. When I first started volunteering there I did not know that I was going to be able to help raise money until I was asked to volunteer for the event. I loved being called a volunteer with the Special Olympics. This experience has been positive for me and I am going to continue helping out with the Special Olympics including the Summer Games in May. What began as a school assignment for volunteer hours has become an organization that I want to help and to be a part of for years to come. This project taught me that you can not take anything for granted. Persons with special needs did not ask to born like they were, so they get through it day by day. That should all teach us a lesson. Students in my classroom will all be treated with respect whether or not they have special needs. Teaching your students that same lesson is very important. Seeing all the people that bought a raffle ticket really touched me because it was a donation that they were making to the Special Olympics. After Jane told me that she didn’t know what she would do without me, I told her that I don’t know what I would do without all the generous people that came out to support the Special Olympics. My experience as a volunteer has greatly impacted me. It has opened my eyes to different career opportunities beside Elementary Education. I am interested in becoming a Special Education teacher as well.