Rhode Island Credit Union Volunteers Help Bring on the Gold at Summer Games

More than 80 volunteers from eight (8) Rhode Island credit unions spent Friday May 31, Saturday June 1, and Sunday, June 2 at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston helping make the Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games a success on a beautiful summer-like day. The volunteers served in many capacities including “clerking” the walking and running events.  “Clerking” involves checking athletes in, gathering them into “heats” for their races, escorting them to the track, and cheering the athletes on as they compete. The best part of clerking is the interaction with all the athletes as they patiently wait for their race. Several volunteers helped outside for the medal awards portion of the games, as well as spent time in the “Fan Zone” cheering the athletes on. This assistance, noted Special Olympics event organizers, is vital to the success of the event.

Rhode Island Credit Unions have been supporting Special Olympics RI for over 20 years. They continue to annually staff the entire Track and Clerking every Friday, the starting day of the summer games. As Amanda Phillips from Ocean State Credit Union stated “OSCU had a fantastic time volunteering at the 2024 Special Olympics, providing assistance and encouragement during the event. It was incredibly rewarding to see our team come together to make a positive impact, reinforcing our commitment to serving our community with pride and dedication.”

David Dupere, President/CEO Wave FCU and RI Social Responsibility Committee Chair states, “Our dedicated credit union team volunteers of 80 strong from throughout RI benefit from this partnership because the interaction that so many of us have with athletes at Summer Games has developed into friendships. We look forward to seeing the athletes as much as they look forward to seeing us. We have become an extended family and that means so much to us and the almost 1,000 athletes and their families at the Games.”

This year’s credit union volunteers included employees from Coastal1 Credit Union, Greenwood Credit Union, Navigant Credit Union, People’s Credit Union, Ocean State Credit Union, Rhode Island Credit Union, Wave Federal Credit Union, and Westerly Community Credit Union.

Throughout the year, the Association hosts a number of events to support Special Olympics Rhode Island financially including golf and bowling tournaments, candy sales, and direct fundraising. The Social Responsibility Committee extends its thanks to all the volunteers that participated in the Summer Games on behalf of the Association and their credit unions.