VOLUNTEERS PITCH IN AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENT

Members of the Dover Area 3 Special Olympics Volunteers recently hosted an indoor picnic at the Alfred C. MacKinnon Middle School in Wharton. Area 3 Special Olympics covers residents from Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties.

Highlighting the picnic was a series of musical events coordinated by 18-year-old Steven Evans of Mine Hill. Evans played live music with his band, the Moondogs, and organized students and teachers to teach drumming, dancing and singing. Ritchie's Music of Denville donated drum sticks and hand percussion instruments and the Home Depot of Dover donated paint buckets for the athletes to use as drums.

The more than 40 Special Olympians who attended the picnic also took part in crafts such as beading, coloring and jewelry-making; and getting their faces painted by Cait's Paints of Hopatcong. Sue Johnston, a school counselor with the Wharton school district, helped arrange for the venue for this special event.

Dover Area 3 Special Olympics Volunteers pitch in at Special Olympics events all year long, from basketball and bowling, to swimming, bocce and track and field. For more information about Area 3 Special Olympics or to volunteer, contact sonjarea3@live.com or 973-537-2901.