March 6, 2007 — An initiative of first lady Cecile deJongh will bolster the goals and objectives of Special Olympics in the Virgin Islands, according to a Government House release issued Tuesday.
The release added that a tentative agreement is set for the introduction this summer of a Special Olympics camp for the island districts of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix.
Camp Shriver, begun in the 1960s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is a two-week camp that provides recreational activities for people with intellectual disabilities. According to the release, "The goal of the camp is to build relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities."
The original Camp Shriver was held in the 1960s when Shriver, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, hosted the event at her home in Potomac, Md., while challenging people everywhere with yards and pools to open their homes and provide an opportunity for young athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in training for the Special Olympics.
In 2006, Camp Shriver expanded to six cities on the U.S. mainland. At a March 1 luncheon at the Shriver home, plans shifted into high gear for the development of Camp Shriver in the Virgin Islands.
Shriver hosted the luncheon, which was attended by Gov. John deJongh Jr. and the first lady, Janice Lee of Special Olympics, Michael Akin of Catholic Charities, Special Olympics Senior Vice President Dr. Thomas Songster, as well as representatives from various Camp Shriver camps across the nation.
Shriver provided the history behind Camp Shriver when it got started at the time Shriver said, “I think this is an excellent opportunity, Mr. Governor, and I commend your administration for the efforts in bringing these promises to the less fortunate…the challenged in your community. We stand ready to assist you in bringing Camp Shriver to the Virgin Islands. It’s part of our faith, hope and love for America and its people.”
The introduction of Camp Shriver to the Virgin Islands is the brainchild of Virgin Islander Debra Brown Delone, who now resides in the Washington, D.C., area.
“Debbie mentioned this program to me during the inauguration in January and in a series of e-mails. Since then there has been a groundswell of support for the project going forward,” Cecile deJongh said.
Gov. John deJongh said he welcomes the opportunity for the V.I. government to provide “the vehicle to make great things happen in our community. I seize this opportunity to bring together all sectors of the V.I. community to present the chance to make a difference.” He hailed the efforts to bring parents and the challenged young people together “in a setting that makes them no different than persons their age who compete in ordinary sports.”
Special Olympics in the Virgin Islands began in 1977 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. While Camp Shriver is being organized for the summer of this year, the next V.I. Special Olympics games are set for March 24 on St. Croix and March 31 on St. Thomas.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
