TAMPA, Fla. — Special Olympics Florida is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in commemoration, have set a new aim — recruit 50 new coaches by the top of the 12 months.
The Hillsborough County Special Olympics Stand-up Paddle Board Team cannot wait to inform you concerning the distinction coach Mari Sallaberry makes.
When athletes Stephanie, Evan and Aarushi stroll down to the lake for follow, there’s a stride of confidence, they usually owe all of it to Sallaberry.
“When they are so proud of themselves, of what they do, it makes me proud,” stated Sallaberry. “They just want to be treated the same way that you treat everybody. They want to be coached the same way you coach anybody else.”
Sallaberry wasn’t fairly positive what to count on when she determined to coach, and now she stated she will’t reside with out it.
“I can not stop,” stated Sallaberry. “I thought I was going to do it for a couple of years, and it’s been like five now. I always look for ways that I can better my team, what ways I can improve them.”
Sallaberry could be the one blowing the whistle, pushing the crew to be their greatest, however she stated it’s the crew that’s bringing out the most effective in her.
“They are just smiling, and they’re just brightening the whole world when they are like, ‘yeah I did it,’” stated Sallaberry.
However, if you happen to ask the mother and father of those athletes, a Special Olympics coach like Sallaberry will be life altering.
“This has been a huge game changer for our family, especially with him, for self-confidence,” stated dad Bob Poe about his son Evan.
“She’s a crack up, we love her, she’s always wanting to have fun with the kids,” stated mother Colleen Pappas.
“What coach Mari does is way beyond what I can do for someone,” stated mom Lakshma (*50*). “The amount that she loves the kids, it’s as if they are her own.”
“I’m just a little grain of salt that wants to be there and celebrate them,” stated Sallaberry.
The athletes are very happy to put within the additional mile at follow, she’s not only a coach, she’s household.
“She means a lot to me. She is amazing in many ways,” stated Evan.
“She’s a very good coach, I really love her,” stated Aarushi.
These particular Olympians simply hope extra good hearted individuals throughout the state hear their story and volunteer to lead their very own crew.
“If you’re passionate about helping people, a positive person, and you’re open-minded and you have a couple hours available we would love to have you as a coach or a helper or a volunteer here at Special Olympics Florida,” stated Pappas.
For extra information go to specialolympicsflorida.org.