In the spirit of teamwork and goodwill, AAA continues its steadfast tradition to civic involvement by hosting on May 18 an open house designed to benefit Special Olympics in its south Carson City office.
The event, which is slated from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes a silent auction, special insurance counseling, travel advice as well as ample refreshments. Proceeds from the silent auction with items ranging from a glider plane ride to a round of golf will be earmarked for the Special Olympics of Nevada.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.7 million athletes in 170-plus countries. It was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was inspired to form the charitable entity after her sister, Rosemary Kennedy, underwent a lobotomy for mental illness.
Through the years, AAA has donated its time, money and effort to charitable causes including the Boys & Girls Club and Carson City Animal Shelter. Pat Shaw, who runs the AAA Carson City office, was also motivated by the actions of her family – in particular her husband John Shaw.
“Have you ever met a Special Olympic athlete? Everything they do is a triumph. Even the things we take for granted, they rejoice over. If we all had that attitude toward life, the world would be a much better place,” Shaw said.
Shaw’s husband will carry on the tradition of giving back by making his second rappel for the cause off the Grand Sierra Hotel and Casino at the end of next month. The feat called “Over the Edge for Special O” requires dangling from a rope 27 stories high before touching the ground. Last year, Shaw raised $1,100 for the cause. The Special Olympics chapter collected $65,000.
“My first thought was fear,” he said.
But the Reno military veteran got over the fear fast, leaned back and placed his trust in doing the right thing.
A decade ago, Shaw was asked by a colleague if he wanted to take part in a Special Olympics event at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. He stood at the finish line, greeting the athletes as they crossed for their moment of truth. The final stage provides no dry eye in the crowd.
“Unlike you and I, these people never take one simple walking step for granted,” he said.
The participation transformed his life. When his wife saw a bulletin promoting the Reno event, she encouraged him to raise money for the cause.
“When you participate in events like Over the Edge for Special O or make a donation, you are changing lives,” said Maggie Schwartz, regional vice president of Special Olympics.
In turn, the AAA manager has paid it forward herself.
Her office located at 2901 S. Carson St. is organizing a branch-based fundraising drive during the open house in which food vendor Schwan’s will donate 20 percent of its proceeds on orders to Special Olympics. The goal is $1,000.
The Carson City and Carson Valley business communities have spoken loudly with their donations to be auctioned off during the May 18 event. Merchants who have given items range from the Purple Avocado shop, Gold’s Gym and David Wally’s Hot Springs to Jiffy Lube, Soaring Nevada and Greenhouse Garden Center.
In addition, AAA Northern California Nevada Utah is sponsoring a promotion that with every insurance quote $10 will be donated to Boys and Girls Clubs. Moreover, the Carson City office is collecting funds and items for the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada through contributions and community involvement efforts.