Polk Times

City Of Lake Wales issued the following announcement on Oct. 13.

LAKE WALES POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DONATES $500 TO HELP CITY ATHLETE ATTEND 2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES

Members of the Lake Wales Police Department provide aid to city residents every day, but that assistance can come in many forms.

On Oct. 6, it came in the form of a $500 donation from the Lake Wales Police Officers Association to Joseph Lunsford, born and raised in Lake Wales, who has earned an invitation to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games as part of the Team Florida Bocce.

Event officials said it can cost up to $2,500 per athlete to stage the national event, and Lunsford has a goal of raising $1,500 of that himself.

Lunsford and the LWPD have enjoyed a long relationship. For the past 10 years, the department has participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign, raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics Florida and local Special Olympics Florida athletes.  Joseph has been a part of this program from the beginning.

He has also helped with visits to local Publix stores to thank them for their support, worked Tip A Cop events at our local restaurants, and has spoken to officers promoting the payroll deduction fundraising option for Special Olympics Florida.

“Joseph is a really amazing young man. He’s done tremendous things with his life, and done tremendous things in our community, We’re really, really proud of him.” Police Chief Chris Velasquez said. “It means so much to us, his life and what he’s done, that we wanted to step up and help him. We  wanted to tell him we’re behind him 110 percent, we wish him luck, and we’ve got his back the whole way.”

Mayor Eugene Fultz declared Oct. 5 as Joseph Lunsford Recognition Day in Lake Wales, and presented him with a special proclamation at a recent city commission meeting.

Those wishing to donate can do so here: https://give.specialolympicsflorida.org/.../General...

According to the Special Olympics website for the 2022 games,  Bocce is “one of the most popular sports in Special Olympics, (and) features the widest variety of athletes, including those from the islands in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Bocce will consist of over 300 athletes offering strategic events such as singles, doubles, team, and Unified competitions.”

It is the first time Florida has hosted Special Olympic USA Games and they will be held from June 5-12.  The bocce competition is expected to be held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. A total of a dozen individuals will make up the coaches and athletes of Team Florida Bocce.

“Between now and the start of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next June, they’ll be practicing and training, preparing to face competitors from across the U.S. and the Caribbean,” team officials noted. “They’ve worked for years to get to this point, and the USA Games promise to be a life-changing experience for team members, coaches, and their families. We are so proud to have them represent Special Olympics Florida.”

These incredible athletes – all part of Special Olympics Florida – will compete in 19 different sports next year, going up against some 3,500 athletes from the U.S. and the Caribbean. Team Florida will include more than 500 athletes and almost 140 coaches.

Lunsford – who attended both McLaughlin Middle and Lake Wales High School – has been a long time participant in Special Olympics. In addition to bocce, he has tried his hand at softball, golf, basketball and track. He is a volunteer at the Lake Wales Care Center and works at Sweet Ella’s Sweet Produce.  His parents, Mike and Pam Lunsford, have been Special Olympics coaches for many years.

“We are honored to support members of our community as they accomplish their goals and reach for their dreams,” Velasquez added. “ The Lake Wales Police Department and the Lake Wales Police Officers Association, which includes sworn, civilian and volunteer members, is proud to support Special Olympics Florida along with all our local athletes. We are asking our community, central Florida and the entire state to get behind Team Florida.”

Original source can be found here.

Source: City Of Lake Wales