Special Olympics team selling produce at ODP, raising funds to compete
The adult Polk County special Olympics team has been training hard for the upcoming Winter Olympics and their bowling competition in August, but traveling, eating, and living always had a fair share of expenses. While the bowling trip is secured-the paper work is done and the entrants are registered-the trip to the Winter Olympics has yet to be confirmed.
In order to raise the trip funds, One Door Polk, various volunteers, and the athletes have teamed up to sell produce. The stand is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the One Door Polk building, 424 N Main St, Cedartown, and the group intends to keep selling their goods into August.
The produce sold by the athletes is acquired locally from farms such as Morning Glory Farms, but its not uncommon for citizens to donate various vegetables and fruits.
Every Friday the athletes are out and about practicing their bowling skills, but on Monday and Wednesday, the athletes essentially run the produce store themselves. The soon-to-be Olympic competitors do everything from restocking shelves, helping customers, and counting money. “It’s their shop,” said Ronni Heard- one of the team’s coaches. “We may get the produce for them, but the rest is all them.”
This will be the first time the group has competed in bowling and the second time going to the Winter Olympics. Last year, numerous participants received medals and the team overall performed very well. Ronni expressed that the Winter Olympics were extremely similar to the actual Olympics with a lighting of the torch, music, and medals that made for a truly life changing experience.
Those interested in helping the special Olympics team compete this Winter can make a donation by visiting the produce stand at One Door Polk or mailing a check to Ronni Heard. Please make checks out to Kaleidoscope for the purpose of Polk Special Olympics and mail to 424 North Main St. Suite 3 @ attention Ronni.
The produce stand’s complete menu is as follows: Cucumber: $3.00 for 1.5 lbs or $.75 per piece. Squash $2.50 for 1.5lbs. Tomatoes $1.00 a piece. Corn 2 for $1.00. Oranges $1.00 per piece. Potatoes $1.00 per piece. Crowder peas $6.00 per bag. Lady peas $6.00 per bag. Pink eyes $6.00 per bag. Sweet potatoes $1.00 per lb. Eggs $4.00. Peaches $3.00 per lb. Okra $2.50 per lb. Watermelon seedless $5.00. Cantaloupe $2.00.