The Yes Effect: Special Olympics Hawaii
First Hawaiian Bank has been providing financial support to Special Olympics Hawaii for more than 30 years. This year marks their 25th anniversary of being the title sponsor of the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run
First Hawaiian Bank has been providing financial support to Special Olympics Hawaii for more than 30 years. This year marks their 25th anniversary of being the title sponsor of the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run, where law enforcement officers carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games competition at UH Mānoa.
“The goal of the Torch Run is to raise awareness and resources to support our mission, and First Hawaiian Bank has been tremendous by supporting the Torch Run and showing a true commitment to our athletes for over three decades,” says Dan Epstein, President and CEO of Special Olympics Hawaii. “First Hawaiian Bank has provided an example of how the community can get involved, make a difference, and have an impact with their support.”
Photo: courtesy of First Hawaiian Bank
Special Olympics recognizes that there is a void of opportunites for individuals with intellectual abilities, and have created programs to address those areas.
“This population has not been given the same opportunities that many of us take for granted,” Epstein says. “Our goal is not only to give our athletes the opportunity to play sports, but to use sports as a vehicle for them to have the opportunity to become accepted and included as productive members of our community.”
Special Olympics Hawaii gives individuals an opportunity not only to gain skills in sports, but to participate in social interaction with teammates, coaches and Unified partners at practice.
“That’s where they really gain a lot of their growth, not just at the competition. The training is just as valuable, if not more so,” Epstein says.
The State Summer Games requires more than 1,000 volunteers in various capacities. Bank employees volunteered in various areas, including serving pizza to 800 Torch Runners at the end of the run. More than 50 First Hawaiian Bank employees volunteered at the swimming competition.
Photo: courtesy of First Hawaiian Bank
“They brought an incredible amount of enthusiasm and spirit, and cheered mightily for all the athletes who were participating, and inspired our athletes to really achieve their best,” says Epstein. “They came out and supported us the entire day.”
First Hawaiian Bank is also a donor to the Special Olympics Hawaii Capital Campaign. The nonprofit organization just completed building a new health and fitness facilty where athletes can train for power lifting, soccer, bocce, and track and field. They also have a basketball court that can be utilzed for other sports like volleyball and pickle ball at the Ewa Beach campus.
“The bank was a large donor in that project. We’re extremely grateful for both their support on the financial side and also on the volunteer side,” Epstein says.
Special Olympics Hawaii is also extremly grateful for First Hawaiian Bank’s longevity with the program.
“It has been phenomenal. They have really shown their commitment,” Epstein says. “They are not just looking to get a press release. They are actually looking to find a way that they can have an impact in an organization, and they’ve done so with us. We look forward to many more years of partnership with First Hawaiian Bank.”
Donate
All programs with Special Olympics Hawaii are provided to athletes free of charge. Donations can be made at sohawaii.org. “Direct donations are very much appreciated so we can reach as many athletes as we can who want to be a part of this program,” Epstein says. Other ways to get involved are to volunteer, participate in fundraising, or become a sponsor.
Sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, Member FDIC.
