The Freeport Recreation Center was filled with plenty of cheers and excitement on Thursday evening, as students from the Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS) in Plainview squared off against the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club in a friendly game of basketball.
The contest, which does not track scoring or hold strictly to the rules of basketball, provides a very energetic activity for ACDS students, whose team name is the Thunderbolts, while also affirming values of teamwork, perseverance and friendly competition. The 12 Thunderbolts players took turns subbing in 5 to 6 at a time to face off with five Rotary players out of the seven total.
“It’s all about making them feel good,” Ken Dookram, a member of the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club, said.
The Rotary Club has been playing the Thunderbolts at least once a year for the past three years as part of its charitable and community service efforts in the area. Although both squads may lack in competitive basketball experience, all players were able to enjoy the competition and the thrill of trying to score, defend and work with their teammates.
ACDS, which provides educational, recreational, therapeutic and social services and programs for children and adults with Down syndrome, was not an official organizer of the game with the Rotary. Mary Ann Endo, a longtime instructor with ACDS, who has organized basketball games and other athletics-based activities independently for the students for nearly three decades, was the lead organizer of Thursday’s game. She expressed a desire to continue to coordinate more games with other community groups and individuals.
“I want the community to see special-needs kids,” Endo said. “I want them to be accepting of special-needs kids. I use Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts (and other) organizations to reach out to the ‘normal’ population, and they play with the kids.”
Comfort Itoka, president of the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club, stated that the basketball game aligns well with the organization’s beliefs and goals.
“Our focus is the community and the kids within this community, and we want to not just give one type of service,” Itoka said. “Since we started three years ago, these kids enjoy this activity so much until it’s in popular demand. Every year they ask us to come to play with them, and we ourselves love playing with them.”
The Down syndrome students are mostly young adults, but some are as old as in their 50s. They continue to benefit from special care from their parents, as well as partnerships for further games between ACDS, the Special Olympics, local clubs and other groups.
John Redfern, whose son, Mark, 31, plays for the Thunderbolts, expressed tremendous appreciation for the basketball games and similar activities that Endo has helped run.
“This gives them a chance to get out and socialize after they have their (ACDS) program,” he said. “It’s good for them, and for me. It’s nice to see them able to get out.”
