Agency: Douglas County Special Olympics

Address: P.O. Box 1390, Lawrence 66044

Contact person: Chris Koehler, 749-0937.

The Douglas County Special Olympics is gearing up for its spring track and field competitions and needs people to help coach the athletes.

“They will be working with and helping improve (the athletes’) motor skills,” Chris Koehler, program coordinator, said.

The athletes, who have physical and mental disabilities and range in age from 8 to adults, will participate in the shot put, relays, long jump, 100- and 50-meter walks and other events.

Koehler said volunteer coaches were needed for practices from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Free State High School. The practices start Saturday and will continue through April 13. Applications are available at the sessions. Volunteers should be 16 or older.

If sports isn’t your bailiwick, Koehler said there were other ways individuals could help the Special Olympics. Help is also needed in fund raising, serving on the board, sponsoring athletes and planning future activities. Volunteers also are needed to run a concession booth at the women’s basketball tournament in mid-March at Kansas State University.

For more information, call Koehler at 749-0937.

Last weeks’ results

Therapeutic Horse Riding Instruction of Lawrence received calls from five people after the organization appeared in last week’s “How You Can Help,” according to Leann Williams, chairman of THRIL’s board.

THRIL offers equine-oriented activities to children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. The agency needs about 30 volunteers to help with upcoming riding classes.

A volunteer training session will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 21st Street and Harper Avenue. The session will familiarize participants with the organization and such basic skills as leading a horse.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at THRIL, call 841-9740. Leave a message and someone from THRIL will call you back.