Community and Clubs: Newport-Mesa throws support behind Special Olympics

It’s hard to imagine an undertaking that has inspired as much support from the Newport-Mesa community as the hosting of the athletes participating in the Special Olympics World Games last week in Los Angeles.

Newport-Mesa proudly welcomed and celebrated more than 200 Special Olympics athletes from Mexico, Fiji, Aruba, the Bahamas and Malawi, for three days before the Games.

The host town committees arranged housing, meals, training facilities and transportation for the athletes and their delegations. Committee members and other volunteers accompanied the delegations on two outings to share local culture.

Fund-raising and logistics was a tall order. From elementary school children to school board members, from city employees to politicians, from individual citizens to business leaders, support was required from the entire community. Even 2015 Mr. Irrelevant (a title given to the final NFL draft pick), Gerald Christian, and former UCLA and USC football coaches participated.

The local host town committees consisted of more than 30 members from city staff, police and City Council, service clubs and other charitable organizations, the N-MUSD school board and local businesses. Hundreds of volunteers assisted the committees, including individual citizens, students, church and charitable organization members.

As president of Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary and two other nonprofits, Steve Bender, Newport Beach Host Town co-chairman, is active in community service.

“Serving on the Host Town Committee was one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had, but the most rewarding,” he said.

Likewise, Jennifer Christ, Costa Mesa Host Town co-chairwoman, said, “I never could have imagined how much work this would be. I also wasn’t aware how much I would love it. I think I would have followed the athletes to L.A., if I could have. It was an amazing experience. They were inspiring.”

The Host Town Committee chairs attended monthly meetings with the Games’ organizers to learn security protocols, cultural concerns for the athletes and other matters. They were responsible for planning and executing host day logistics and for soliciting cash and in-kind donations to cover all costs. Although Newport Beach and Costa Mesa each committed to fund at least $10,000, the host town budgets were considerably higher.

“Costa Mesa couldn’t have pulled it off without the assistance of committee member David Vazquez, the administrative staff of Vanguard University and the support of Vanguard President Dr. Michael Beals and Vanguard’s donation of housing and training facilities,” said Daniel Baker, who co-chaired Costa Mesa’s effort.

Costa Mesa High School, Tavern + Bowl and the Costa Mesa Tennis Center donated training facilities. Businesses and others donated food and buses. A fundraiser at Plum’s Café, as well as private donations from Harbor Mesa Lions, Blvd Hotel, Torelli Realty, Mediterranean Village Apartment Homes and countless individuals, helped cover the remaining costs.

Newport’s athlete housing was not donated so its fundraising target was much higher — $40,000. Committee member and Newport-Mesa Unified board member Karen Yelsey, acted first. She worked with Harbor View and Andersen Elementary and Corona del Mar High students to raise $5,000 through garage and food truck sales and a school carnival.

Local, county and national leaders stepped up next for “Beach Blanket Bungalow” managed by Sue Adams and presented at CdM’s Bungalow Restaurant.

Mayor Ed Selich, former Mayor Steve Rosansky and Councilmen Kevin Muldoon and Duffy Duffield competed against Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), Newport Mayor Pro-Tem Diane Dixon, Supervisor Michelle Steel and Special Olympics volunteers Sarah Lowrey and Melissa Snow to raise the most money through donations, tips and ticket sales. The event raised $10,000.

Ross Minion, Helene Rochman, Lissa Giulioni and others directed the Newport Beach Party fund-raiser at the Dunes. John Lewis and Laird Hayes recruited former UCLA football coach Terry Donahue and former USC coach John Robinson to co-chair the USC vs. UCLA competitions at the event. The celebrities also autographed footballs for auction.

These are a few examples of Newport’s fund-raising efforts and of the people involved. Newport Beach Sunrise and Newport Balboa Rotaries were instrumental in fund-raising and a significant amount was raised from anonymous donors.

Ultimately, Newport raised more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind donations, more than twice its host town budget. Cash raised in excess of Newport’s host town needs were applied to Special Olympics’ Support an Athlete program.

The host town committees and volunteers were thrilled when the athletes arrived. Hundreds of volunteers welcomed and assisted them. Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area volunteers made beds and cleaned rooms. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and OCC Phi Theta Kappa helped with luggage. Costa Mesa High Water Polo, Estancia Football and CdM, Costa Mesa and Estancia Cheer members greeted and cheered for the athletes.

With hundreds of athletes training at many different facilities, the logistics to transport and feed them was complex. Newport Beach’s Recreation Supervisor Jonathon Harmon and Recreation Coordinator Justin Schmillin planned and executed this effort well.

The final endeavor was hosting two cultural activities for the athletes. Calvary Chapel donated buses to transport the Costa Mesa delegation to Halecrest Park for a hamburger lunch, face painting and other activities.

Afterward, the athletes attended an Angels game. The next day, Irvine-based Taco Bell hosted lunch on the lawn outside Costa Mesa City Hall for the delegation as well as Special Olympic athletes from surrounding host cities. Costa Mesa Odd Fellows donated tables and chairs and 200 volunteers served the group. After lunch, the athletes attended the OC Fair.

Thomas Giulioni, Newport Beach Host Town Committee member and Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina executive director, organized and obtained in-kind donations for Newport’s two cultural events.

The first day, the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach donated a picnic lunch for the athletes at the Dunes’ beach. After lunch, the athletes visited the Back Bay Science Center. The next day, Electra Cruises donated its four-story vessel to sail the athletes around Newport Harbor, while enjoying salmon and salad donated by Newport Dunes. Committee member Tom Johnson with Newport Beach TV filmed the festivities.

The excitement of the host town committee members was obvious, and it doesn’t seem like it will fade soon. Bender hopes to rely on that enthusiasm to build support for a Special Olympics day each June for Orange County Special Olympians and their families. The proposed day would offer a party and free dental, vision and hearing screening.

If the community support for the host town effort is any indication, Steve’s goal should be easily fulfilled.

The Daily Pilot wants to hear about your club’s or organization’s events so we can inform our readers. Contact DIANE DARUTY at dianedaruty@sbcglobal.net or (949) 322-7949.