The Knights of Columbus hosted a special send off for the Area 17 Special Olympic team in Paw Paw Wednesday, as they head to the 2023 State Summer Games hosted in Mt. Pleasant.
Dozens of athletes, along with their families and coaches, joined first responders and members of the Paw Paw Knights of Columbus Council 3798 at their lodge to wish the team luck before they make the two hour drive north.
The Knights of Columbus made the luncheon a tradition, hosting Special Olympians every year since 2009, according former Grand Knight Phil Hover.
"We just wanted to celebrate their accomplishments through the years of training and everything they do," Hover said.
Grand Knight Brian Francisco was serving food to the hungry Olympians, eager to hit the road.
"The excitement is just really rewarding," Francisco said. "When they come through the line, the luncheon, everything is for them and then the rest of the weekend is their time too. So it's an amazing feeling working with them."
The team was in high spirits, laughing, wishing each other luck, and catching up with friends. Track and field veteran, and 400 meter medalist Mary Cook said that's part of what has kept her competing since 1999.
"You see new people and meet new friends," Cook said.
She said meeting those new people is just a part of why she loves competing in the Special Olympics.
"The speed, and to run. To challenge myself and run against different people," she said.
Following lunch, the athletes gathered out side for a group photo before piling into dozens of vehicles, forming a caravan of Olympians headed for glory.
Leading the way with light flashing and sirens blaring were officers from Paw Paw Police Department, Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police and Firefighters from Paw Paw Fire Department.
"They shut down the roadway and just take the kids through town and give them that extra recognition that other sports teams get, that they don't normally get," Hover said.
The caravan headed down Red Arrow Highway towards downtown Paw Paw to wave goodbye to well wishers.
Turning the corner onto Kalamazoo Ave, smiles beamed from car windows heading toward I-94, and hopefully a medal or two,