Inmates inside San Quentin State Prison are currently supporting the Special Olympics Northern California Program and looking for more ways to do it.
“The inmate population is very cutting edge when it comes to fund raising…other programs want to mirror what I do with you. You’re doing the food sales,” said Ruth Sanchez, the senior development director for the Special Olympics Northern Region.
Sanchez visited San Quentin on Jan. 6 to thank inmates for what they have raised so far and to discuss further ways to contribute.
Sanchez has found prisoners eager to support. In six months, almost $80,000 was raised from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmates in 15 different prisons to support the 30,000 Special Olympic athletes of California.
Northern California has 16,750 special athletes who compete year round in 11 sports.
Southern California has 11,000. The sports include basketball, track and field, swimming, floor hockey, golf, bowling, bocce, volleyball, softball, and tennis.
“Inmates approach us about their cousins and family members who have special needs…that’s the connection. They want to help,” said Sanchez. “I’ve learned so much in the last six months… I see the common theme of hope in special needs athletes and inmates.”
Further ways to support, in addition to food sales, were discussed. They included organizing ice-water “plunges” and setting up a website for family members to contribute.
The money would go to sponsor athletes with special needs like Special Olympic champion Stephanie Hammond, who used sports to overcome being bullied. A bully broke her leg in six places. She was introverted and home-schooled afterwards. Then she discovered sports and blossomed.
“I try not to let bullying bother me. It just makes me stronger,” said Hammond. “Now I’m a global ambassador, CDCR ambassador, law enforcement ambassador, and I travel all over the nation. I’ve been to 25 states,” said Hammond.
Hammond wore about seven of the nearly 1,000 medals she earned during her 17 years competing in Special Olympic basketball, bocce ball, and bowling. Hammond plans to start soccer in September. Her favorite sport is basketball. She’s the starting point guard for a coed team with only four girls and averages 20 points a game.
“Some of my medals are in the governor’s mansion,” said Sanchez.
Eunice Shriver was heavily involved in special needs issues. Her son, Tim Shriver, took over after she died.
Sanchez is driven to help develop the Special Olympics because of her son, who has special needs. She has watched him develop self-confidence and get a job after having played in the events.
“Every time I help an athlete win an award or another race, I’m helping my son,” said Sanchez.
Corrections in Arizona raised over a half-million dollars. Then CDCR’s Jeff Beard offered support. Sanchez decided to go further and extended her hand for donations from the inmate population.
“We are all humans; we all have feelings….we aren’t different from each other. We just have deferent circumstances,” said Sanchez.
Avenal, Solano, and Mule Creek State Prisons have been very supportive, Sanchez noted.
“I went to Avenal State Prison, and 50-plus inmates had at least 30 questions. ‘Thank you for not judging us and letting us feel connected,’ they told me,” said Sanchez. “Inmates send cards; they support. Avenal wants us to come back.”
Other current sponsors included major corporations like Chevron and Kaiser Permanente, law enforcement, CDCR, inmate populations, and the community.
“Thank you CDCR and inmates for supporting us. Without ya’ll, this wouldn’t be possible. You are making a difference for 30,000 athletes,” said Hammond.
