For the 7th year Special Olympics Cleveland County based at North Shelby School was the recipient of a generous donation from it’s Annual Bass Fishing Tournament held at Pinnacle Boat Landing on Lake Norman. The tournament takes place the first Saturday of November every year, with volunteers from Eaton Corporation, North Shelby School, Special Olympics Cleveland County coaches and the community.
   This special fund raiser started with the Eaton Bass Club, who met once a month to fish. At the end of the season they would hold a “fish-off”. The money raised was donated to North Shelby School to help cover the cost of running the Special Olympics program here in Cleveland County. From the beginning Ricky Peace, the guys in the Bass Club at Eaton and the volunteers have made the annual event possible. Ricky’s dedication is shown in many ways. He is “hands on” approach of going from business to business asking for donations of funds and products continues to keep the tournament successful. Over the years he has gathered donations from over 250 sponsors, most of which have been sponsors from day one. Since its’ inception, this tournament has raised over $144,000 for Special Olympics Cleveland County. The annual operating budget is about $26,000 to fund all the events for the athletes, coaches and volunteers. This includes travel, hotels, meals, uniforms, training competitions, etc.
   Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. Here in Cleveland County, the athlete’s are given the oppurtunity to particiapte in sports such as basketball, cheerleading, skiing, snow boarding, softball, cycling, flag football, and more events.
   This program and tournament could not be possible without the generosity from the sponsors and volunteers who make it happen. THANK YOU!
1st row l-r: Lynda Drake, Heather Kauffman, Shelley Brown, Aaron Hess, Harley Price and Allison Hodges; 2nd row, l-r:  Thomas Stroud, Darius Horne, Kelsey Whicker, Lee Ann Ellis, Alexis Rials, Denzel Shell, Keon Moses, Carol Goforth and Chris Turner; 3rd row l-r: Felton Phiilips, Jon Wiersbe, Jay Powers, Rick Peace, Benjy Hare, Charles Accor, Greg McInnis, Randy McNeilly, Ed Faylo and Kevin Roberts.