Kiwanis Club of Omaha Westside

Terri Caffee, Educational Diagnostician for Fannin County SSA, was the guest speaker at Kiwanis Club. Ms. Caffee has been associated with the Special Olympics for thirty-two years and receiving aid from the Kiwanis for the same amount of time. Ms. Caffee began with students from L.H. Rather, expanded to BHS, and now has school districts within Fannin County. In the beginning of the program, they attended six events and now go to over twenty events. Basketball and individual skills have been added to the programs. Bonham students participate in track meets at Denton, San Marcos, Austin, Houston, and UT Arlington. They attend the area meet in Cedar Hill, which is mandatory for attending the state meet. This year, Bonham is beginning with thirty-two athletes. The cost to participate in Special Olympics at the state level is $250 per child. They must raise money for uniforms, equipment, hotel rooms, and meals. The school provides transportation at no charge. Bonham Special Olympics hold events to raise funds and accept donations for students to attend the basketball tournaments and state track meet. Bryron Fuller, a local student, has participated in the pentathlon, which consists of the 100M, 400M, running long jump, high jump, and shot put. Fuller won top male athlete in the state in 2010 and 2011. Ms. Caffee wants local people to know that the state organization calls businesses and homes to solicit funds but that these funds do not go to the Bonham Special Olympics. The Bonham Special Olympics does not call individuals. If the solicitor does not identify himself as Bonham Special Olympics, it is not the local group. If you are in doubt about your donation, please contact Ms. Caffee at the Special Education Office of Bonham ISD. The Kiwanis Club of Bonham raises money for donations to the youth of Bonham and Fannin County by managing the Bonham Trade Days.

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