Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce

On Wednesday, November 13th, a team of 25 people walked out of the Lifeskills classroom on the LCM campus and were met with a crowd of several hundred well-wishing students and staff who cheered for them as they boarded their bus.  The group consisted of a Unified football team, comprised of Special Olympics athletes and their general education partners; a Unified cheerleading squad, also made of both special education and general education students; three Meet in The Middle students (MiM is an organization on campus dedicated to promoting inclusion and respect for special needs students); as well as coaches and teachers. Climbing aboard the bus, they set out to break new ground.  No Unified sports team like this has ever been formed in this area, let alone prepare themselves for a national football competition.  Team Force did just that. 

An invitation to play at the University of Maryland was at once exciting and overwhelming; a team had to be trained, and the financial needs were going to be enormous.  Volunteers stepped up to play and coach, and hours after school turned the group of kids into a team.  Even more impressive, though, was the way the Orange community stepped up.  Once corporations and individuals became aware of our mission and our need, they were exceedingly generous. Donations spoke volumes about this community's support for LCM High School's Unification programs and about the value we in Orange County place on the ideals of dignity, respect and inclusion for all.  As the direct result of the support of the companies that backed the trip, the team was expanded, and the scope of the trip was expanded.  In addition to playing football, the students got to stay an extra two days and visit Washington, D.C.  Our students, many of whom had never flown before, found themselves meeting Congressman Stockman in his office and touring the Capitol with his staff, making discoveries at the Smithsonian Museums, and feeling the impact of the national monuments honoring our nation's founders, shapers and defenders. 

On the field, Team Force shined.  The hours paid off, and they played their hearts out.  Ultimately, they came home proudly wearing bronze Special Olympic medals on their chests. The teams that won silver and gold had had Unified football teams for several years, and expressed amazement that we had come together and played so competitively in a matter of a couple of months.  More importantly, coaches complimented the heart and character that was so evident in the team. 

This community came together and made something amazing possible.  For many, it was a first time to see our nation's capitol. For our Lifeskills students, it was a unique opportunity to have the experience of being on a team and hearing the crowd cheer for them; for our partner students, the lessons they learned about empathy and dignity were profound.  For those of us adults who were fortunate enough to be there, the blessings were immeasurable.  The impact that members of the Orange business community have made by financing this trip will continue to play out in our lives for years. What better use of our resources is there than that?