Hatboro YMCA to Expand for Special Olympians

The Special Olympians may soon have the chance to spread their wings.

Renovations and equipment expansions are planned for the YMCA’s special needs program through the Rotary Club of Hatboro’s fundraising efforts. The project could be completed as soon as January, said Darlene Malone, gymnastics director at the YMCA.

“I think it’s just as important that we give as many kids as possible the opportunity to participate as we can. So that’s what I hope this project will accomplish,” said Rotary Director Katrina Sullivan.

According to Sullivan, the club plans to raise $30,000 to fund an expansion of the YMCA’s space and to purchase special needs equipment. So far they have raised more than $10,000 through donations and grants. The rotary is in the early stages of their fundraising efforts, which they hope to complete in the fall, said Sullivan.

According to Malone, the YMCA serves about 40 special needs gymnasts and has been participating in the Special Olympics at Penn State University since 2006. Their program serves Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties.

One of Malone’s Olympians has fragile X syndrome, a developmental condition that can result in physiological differences.

“So now with her being in special needs gymnastics, it’s her place where everybody around her is just like her," Malone said. "They understand each other. So it’s kind of nice."

The YMCA plans to restructure a large storage area and purchase wider balance beams and larger equipment in general, said Malone. They will remove a concrete wall and rework their ventilation system, she said.

According to Sullivan, about $20,000 total is needed to revamp the building and construction can begin after they have raised about $15,000.

The idea caught wind several months ago at a YMCA open house fundraiser where the rotary and community members “fell in love with the idea” after the Special Olympians performed, said Malone.

“Community service is one of the fundamental tenets of the rotary club, so when projects like this are proposed to us, we certainly take it to the club and try to find people to take it on,” said Sullivan.

According to Malone, the Special Olympics has impacted more than the Olympians. Students from local schools who volunteer wind up going to college for special education, including her son, she said.

And, working with the athletes has also brought out Malone's competitive side. 

“When I became involved with the Special Olympians I learned that there’s another side to it," Malone said. "Just participating is really important to them."