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Wilkes-Barre council keeps work session short, preps for public meeting

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Governor’s budget: $3.5 million more for local school districts

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Athletes wear real uniforms.</p><p>A Leadership Wilkes-Barre project committee &#8212; the Olympic Warriors &#8212; has some personal connections with Special Olympic athletes, and because of that close relationship, a need was discovered.</p><p>The Olympic Warriors chose their project to support the local Luzerne County Special Olympics organization. Their goal is to raise enough funds to equip all local Special Olympics athletes with new uniforms and basketballs.</p><p>Mike Frank, a member of the project committee, said the need for new equipment was identified by meeting with the local Special Olympics board at their monthly organizational meetings in 2016.</p><p>&#8220;After discussing the immediate needs of the program with local board members, we realized the best way we could support the group would be through the purchasing of new uniforms and equipment for the Luzerne County athletes,&#8221; Frank said.</p><p>To raise funds, the Olympic Warriors project team is holding a fundraiser to benefit the local chapter of the Special Olympics at Sabatini&#8217;s Bottleshop &amp; Bar in Exeter on Feb. 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $25, which includes all you can eat pizza and choice of draft beer, bottled beer and soda only (limit is 3 drinks). There will also be raffle prizes and 50/50 tickets for purchase and live entertainment by the Jeanne Zano Duo.</p><p>Frank said all proceeds will go toward purchasing uniforms and new basketballs for the Special Olympic athletes.</p><p><strong>About Special Olympics</strong></p><p>According to the Special Olympics Pennsylvania website:</p><p>&#8226; Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Through sports, health, education and community programming, Special Olympics is tackling inactivity, intolerance, isolation and injustice that people throughout the world face, especially people with intellectual disabilities.</p><p>&#8226; The athletes of Special Olympics &#8212; nearly 20,000 strong in Pennsylvania &#8212; are constant reminders of all that is right with the human spirit.</p><p>&#8226; The mission of Special Olympics PA is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.</p><p>&#8226; All training and competition opportunities are provided free of charge to the athletes and their families, enabling everyone to experience the benefits of Special Olympics that extend well beyond the playing field.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>Olympic Warrior Project Committee members</strong></p><p>Michele Garrison, Wilkes University</p><p>Liam Neville, ACTON Technologies</p><p>Sandee Olshefski, O&#8217;Donnell Law Offices</p><p>Thomas Salek, Tobyhanna Army Depot</p><p>Akachi Ukwu, Proctor &amp; Gamble</p><p>Jeanne Wisnewski, Navient</p><p>Brian Womach, Hilton Garden Inn</p><p>Mike Frank, Benco Dental</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre group’s goal: Provide uniforms for Special Olympics athletes