DAVENPORT, Iowa — Glenda Ziolkowski is a coach for the Scott County Adult Special Olympics. She met Sherrie Fischer through the program a few years ago and quickly learned that she brings so much to Special Olympics.
“Going from loving on them to setting up… hotel rooms, accommodations, buses, getting everything scheduled. She just is wonderful at it and does a very good job at it," Ziolkowski says.
The compassion and the devotion that Fischer pours into the Scott County Thunder Special Olympics team is why Ziolkowski nominated Fischer for the Pay It Forward award, sponsored by Ascentra Credit Union.
Fischer took over being the Scott County Thunder Delegation Manager a few years ago and is also a head coach for the team.
“We’re in charge of 180 athletes. With our athletes, we do every sport, every season. Currently, we’re getting ready for our basketball season. So we will have about 90 basketball players doing five-on-fives or three-on-three teams…or basketball skills," Fischer said.
The teams practice twice a week and also attend area and state competitions. A big part of Fischer's responsibilities is finding spaces to practice and accommodations when the team travels. She said it can be a challenge to make sure all athletes have proper accessibility for practices and events.
“With our athletes, we have all ranges, from people that are capable of competing equally like you and I would, to people that need more accommodations. So we need accessible spaces and finding places in the community. We at Parks and Rec have some spaces but we don’t have them all," Fischer said.
Luckily, the community comes together and partners with Special Olympics to make sure there is a safe space for athletes to enjoy. Fischer and her family devote hours each week to the organization to create a community for people to call home and look forward to every week.
“Just watching somebody be able to participate in something that they didn’t think was possible, or in third grade you’re told you can’t play on a sport with your teammates and then they find Special Olympics and they’re participating, and their parents are cheering in the audience. It’s just an amazing, amazing thing to watch and to be a part of," said Fischer.
Fischer said the money will help them attend area basketball competitions this season.
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for his or her community? News 8 and Ascentra Credit Union would like to help you Pay it Forward to them. Click here to nominate someone you know.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel