For the past 49 years, the Lynn Rotary Club has served as the major sponsor of the Lynn Special Games. “I know this is our 49th year,” said Associate DPW Commissioner Lisa Nerich, the coordinator of the Special Games, “and I can’t recall any organization other than Rotary sponsoring this event. I doubt we could stage this without Rotary’s help.”“Our members very much enjoy these school projects,” said President Brenda Peral. “The smiles of the children’s faces tell the reason why this project is so important to them."
The Special Games are held at the Lynn Vocational Technical Field house and brings together some 30 specialized classroom programs encompassing over 350 students with the full range of diagnosed disabilities. Teachers, classroom aids and about 100 student volunteers from LVTI work with children on the many playful activities set up around the field house. Several Lynn Police officers lead the parade of students and teachers around the facility along with Lynn School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutweiller and Police Chief Michael Mageary. Carolyn Cole, a former Rotarian, sang the National Anthem. Rotarians in attendance to support students were: Steve Upton, Harvey Rowe, Mackie & Ray Bastarache, Diana Moreno, Dick Ruth, Wendy Silva. Rev. Bill Simpson, Brenda Peral and President-elect Bill Reilly. Lynn Rotarian Pattie Capano coordinated the event with Ms. Nerich.