The Tribune

US Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman hosted the fourth annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Day at the US Ambassador’s Residence under the theme, “Play Unified to Live Unified!”

The event, held in partnership with Special Olympics Bahamas, brought together more than 250 volunteers including members of the US Embassy family, Special Olympics Bahamas coaches and athletes, as well as volunteers from local organisations for a day of inclusive sport and play.

Among the invited guests on hand to support the event were Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Daniel Johnson and Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald.

Again this year, the front lawn of the US Ambassador’s residence was a buzz of activity as it was transformed into a mini “Camp Shriver,” where the athletes and volunteers spent most of the morning, enjoying food, fun, games, face painting and music.

Activities included bocce, tennis, the egg and spoon race, and the sack race. Once again the featured attraction was the dunk tank, where dozens of athletes lined up to take turns at attempts to “dunk” the Charg� and other invited guests.

Each year, EKS Day is celebrated globally to honour Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s legacy of bringing people together with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in sports.

The day is set aside to promote volunteerism while paying tribute to Mrs Shriver for her inspiration, impact and indomitable spirit.

The US Embassy expressed appreciation to the management and staff of Marco’s Pizza, the primary sponsor of the annual EKS Day celebrations, for providing complimentary pizzas which helped make the event a success.