Members from Windham’s Police and Fire Departments will play a friendly game against the Windham High Unified basketball team to end the season at Windham High School on Wednesday, March 18 in what will hopefully become a yearly tradition. The game will be a fundraiser for Windham’s Best Buddies program which pairs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a peer buddy without a disability to help foster genuine friendships, reduce social isolation, and promote inclusion.
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| Windham senior Jack Shirley prepares to make a basket during a Unified basketball game against South Portland on Feb.25. Windham's Unified basketball team will play a game against members of Windham Police and Fire Departments on March 18 at Windham High in a fundraiser for the Best Buddies program. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
“I’ve been aware of unified for a few years, I’ve seen games at other schools,” said Windham Police Sgt. James Cook, who came up with the fundraising game idea.
“Special Olympics is a very impactful thing. What we (as officers) give to the athletes we get in return multiplied. The important part of the fundraiser is to allow the Best Buddies program and unified team to increase what they do, and to support these kids ... and show them the community cares about them and what they have achieved. The world’s not always a warm and friendly place and if the community can come out and cheer these kids on it’d be a great thing.”
Money raised through this fundraiser will go directly back to Windham High School’s Best Buddies program. Part of the money will go toward sending Best Buddies chapter leaders to the international conference this summer. The money raised will also go towards providing activities during Best Buddies monthly meetings and will also help cover resources for events outside of school, program materials, and merchandise.
“Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves,” said Windham junior Bailey Ward, who started WHS’s chapter of Best Buddies. “We want Best Buddies to be a judgment-free space where friendships can grow, and everyone feels valued and included. I truly believe that everyone deserves friendship, no matter who they are. Our world is such a beautiful place made up of so many amazing people, and programs like Best Buddies help bring those people together. Our club has supported Unified Sports and worked to promote inclusion throughout the school.”
Ward’s goal is to make Windham a place where everyone feels accepted and valued for who they are. Best Buddies helps to make that possible.
“From a coach’s perspective the goal of this game is to raise awareness of the great opportunities at WHS for students with and without disabilities,” said Windham’s Unified basketball assistant coach Connor McNeill. “This year we have had the highest number of students participating in Unified Sports since it has started. Special Olympics and Unified Sports have a great history of being supported by law enforcement. High school sports are also a way to celebrate the great parts of our community. In my time at RSU 14, as both a coach and a teacher, I have always been impressed with and have valued the close connection between our schools and the community police department. What a great way to celebrate these connections by having a game together.”
The game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. at Windham High School on Wednesday, March 18.
A suggested donation of $5 is asked to attend the game, but McNeill said anyone may attend. If you have never been to a Unified sports game, McNeill encourages anyone to come check it out, you will not leave disappointed.
“To see that connection the kids make with the community and the people around them is a wonderful thing,” said Cook. “We’re looking for this to be more a fun event than anything else.” <
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