Being More Than an Assignateer

"One of the Special Olympics Athlete friends contacted me through Facebook to invite me to come and watch him compete.  I was so touched it was impossible for me not to go."

-Alexander Fox

Being More Than an Assignateer

A tempest can come in many different forms, a hurricane, blizzard, thunderstorm, or blustering wind.  When I left my car I wasn't expecting difficult weather at all, but after I had walked a couple of hundred yards it was clear that any thoughts of having calm weather had been blow away by the increasing velocity of the wind.

The increasing wind was wreaking all sorts of issues at an event that was supposed to be about competition between people, not competition between people and the elements.  I watched vases filled with flowers tumble from tables and candles follow them, seemingly wrapped in table cloths that appeared to transform into storm clouds.   People were scurrying in all directions in an effort to salvage a reception meant to provide a thank you to those in attendance.

Alex Fox was there.  I had greeted him earlier and then watched as he walked up to the sound system to welcome the crowd.  I've known Alex for almost two years.  We volunteer together for Special Olympics of Utah.  But Alex is more than just a volunteer.

He checks the microphone to make sure it's working and then begins to tell us his experience of giving to Special Olympic Athletes.  I've been on the Board of Trustees of Special Olympics Utah for about two years."  He said.  "When I started, I was committed to volunteering but it wasn't until I got to know our athletes that I began to have my life change in a dramatic way!"

I looked around the gathering to take in the faces surrounding me.  I didn't know very many of them.  Lots of them were there at the invitation of their employers who were sponsors of the Special Olympics Utah Summer Games.  There was no way to know how much time and effort these kind people had given to make this event a huge success.  There was no way for me to peel back the tissue to see what was really in their hearts.  But, I knew what was in Alex's heart.

There was a crack in Alex's voice.  It caused me to shift my attention back to his presentation. 

"One of my Special Olympics Athlete friends contacted me through Facebook to invite me to come and watch him compete.  I was so touched it was impossible for me not to go."

There was another emotional pause.

"Spending time with Special Athletes has changed my life.  They've taught me about strength, honor, effort and love in a way I never could have comprehended."

I looked at the faces watching Alex once again.  There was as different tempest happening.  It was stronger than the one caused by the wind.  It was hundreds of hearts changing from being an "Assignateer", past volunteer, to emotional commitment.

Emotional commitment can only come through interaction between individuals.  I've found that providing service to others is the key to creating a bond of love that can withstand time as well as the storms of life.  It doesn't matter if you're related by blood to those you serve.  What matters is that you truly give of yourself.  When you give from your heart at least two lives will change; the person you serve and most of all, yours.

Volunteer for a good cause today.  Assignments you receive will change you from an Assignateer to a Volunteer and finally to a giver from your heart.  Nothing restricts the good you can do and nothing restricts the love you will receive in return.

“Our customers will wait in a check-out line, when they don’t need to, so they can receive service from one of our Special Olympians.   Having him work for us has changed so many people’s lives.”

- Bob Harmon

Giving is Receiving

When did you ever think that owners of a local grocery store chain would be hailed as heroes?  That’s what I thought to myself as I stood in a reception hosted by my friends Bob and Randy Harmon.  Of course I shouldn’t have been surprised, because I’ve felt that way about them from the very first time I met them.   But this moment was exceptional, singular!

I watched as Bob and Randy entered the reception area, a reception they were hosting.  When right in front of me one of the Special Olympic Athletes I knew, had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen burst across his face in supernova fashion.  He ran forward to greet them and threw his arms around them in an effort to scoop them up into his heart.  Then he looked back at me and said, “That’s my boss!”

I turned to my wife and said, “When have you ever heard someone say that about his boss?”

In fact, when have I ever seen anyone that happy to see someone else?  Well, if I really think about it perhaps it was when my children we two and hadn’t yet discovered that I wasn’t the greatest man who ever lived.  Oh, those were the days!

But now, I felt as if I were the two year old because I could see that there was something wonderful to learn from Randy and Bob.  They had worked a full day in their business, provided a reception for the Summer Special Olympic Games, and were there to give every participating athlete a “High-Five” as a token of encouragement to compete with bravery, give their best effort, and to have fun.

I looked around me and saw hundreds of people having fun.  Perhaps most of all, I watched Randy and Bob truly having fun as they full heartedly gave best wishes to everyone in sight.  I’ve never seen people of Rock Star status giving from their heart in such a fashion.  But, that’s what makes them so remarkable.

Bob said to me, in a private moment, “We get way more than we donate!  When we started working with Special Olympics Utah we never dreamed that we would get more than we gave.  You know, we came to one of our athlete employees and said, we’d like to teach you to be a checker.  When he started his training, he apologized to our customers for not being able to ask his riddles for a while because he needed to learn his new job.  But, it didn’t take him long before the riddles soon reappeared.  Now our customers will wait in his line just so they can receive his wonderful service.  Our customers also get more than they ever imagined!”

So, now you and I know that giving is also receiving.  Find an opportunity to give today, or, if you would like to have the same experience as the Harmon’s, give to Special Olympics and you’ll receive more way more than your gift in return.