Realtors roll for Special Olympics

Presenting a check for $2,500 as the proceeds from its recent Bowl-a-thon are (from left) Putnam County Board of Realtors members Samantha Cooper, Abstract & Title PCBR affiliate; Diane Ummel, PCBR executive director; and Myrona Gilley, Carpenter Realtors and PCBR president. Receiving the check are Special Olympics members Maci Turner, United partner; Victoria Turner and Malaki Shoemaker, athletes; Mary Rippy, Special Olympics county coordinator; Patty Sprinkle, volunteer coordinator; and Daniel Cox, Selena Shoemaker and James Shoemaker, athletes.

Courtesy photo

The Putnam County Board of Realtors hosted its first-ever Bowl-a-thon on April 17 at 3G Bowl in Greencastle.

The fundraiser to benefit Putnam County Special Olympics was the brainchild of PCBR President Myrona Gilley. During her time as president of the local Association of Realtors, Gilley has been looking for new ways for the organization to have fun and give back to the community.

Gilley -- along with the help of 3G Bowl, Samantha Cooper and Diane Ummel -- pulled together 14 four-person teams, three game sponsors and numerous donations from the community for the mid-day event.

Prior to the event Gilley stated, “If we can raise $1,500 for this group I will be thrilled.”

As it turns out, she was more than thrilled. The event raised more than $2,200, and the Putnam County Board of Realtors voted to add in the additional funds needed to round it out at an even $2,500 donation.

At the presentation of the check to the Special Olympians, representative Mary Rippy expressed her thanks to everyone who had a part in making this event a huge success. She noted that the funds would help the group in reaching its goal of $10,000 to send the team to the summer games.

Rippy said “each of the more than 50 athletes gets to participate in their favorite sport, attend a block party and a movie night, and they really look forward to this event all year.”

Anyone who would still like to contribute to the Putnam County Special Olympics summer event may contact Myrona Gilley at Carpenter Realtors (653-2425) and she will put them in touch with the local coordinator.