On Aug. 28, the Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament and nonprofit Mission Fishin’ presented a $20,000 donation to benefit Special Olympics Florida athletes in the Middle Keys. Of this gift, $5,000 will go directly to Marathon Middle/High School to support its Special Olympics programs. The remaining $15,000 will be directed to Special Olympics Florida to assist local athletes with travel expenses, sports equipment, meals, lodging and other needs related to training and competition. These funds will also help expand Unified Champion Schools programming and community sports development in the Middle Keys.
Thanks in part to similar donations in recent years from the Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament and Mission Fishin’, participation in Special Olympics sports at the school and throughout the community has grown tremendously.
In its first year, the school fielded teams in soccer and ran the Rising Stars program in bocce. By the second year, the program added three powerlifting athletes in the fall, expanding to five this year. Rising Stars programs such as bocce and cornhole have drawn strong participation in the winter season, competing locally against other schools in Monroe County. Meanwhile, the spring competition has grown to include two unified soccer teams, complete with partner athletes, heading to state championships two years in a row and bringing home gold. Plans are also underway to introduce a basketball team this spring.
“Great things are happening at Marathon High School,” said head coach and MHS Special Olympics adviser Cathy Warner. “These programs are helping our athletes grow in confidence, teamwork and skills, and the continued support from our community partners makes all the difference. I see these kids recognized for their success by their peers and they truly feel included in the community we have created at MHS.”
“Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament and Mission Fishin’ are honored to support Marathon High School’s Special Olympics Florida’s athletes and programs for the second year in a row, and help their program grow,” said tournament director Katie Lewis.
Proceeds from the annual sailfish tournament in April go to support Mission Fishin’, a nonprofit that partners with local fishermen, businesses and organizations to provide families with marine experiences. One of the nonprofit’s primary functions is to provide joy, hope, purpose and inclusion for special needs children and children with disabilities.
