Annual Agganis Special Olympics a success

SAUGUS – The Agganis Special Olympics festival and carnival was a success for the seventh year in a row, according to Bob Davis, who helps organize the event every year with Steve Agganis.?It went really well. We had a great day Saturday, both during the day and at night,” said Davis. “The concert was well-attended and the Special Olympics day was very good.”Around 40 special needs kids participated in softball games and an obstacle course Saturday, which was followed by a parade and an award ceremony.?The Special Olympics was wonderful,” said Davis. “We had a couple of softball games like a little mini tournament. Then we had the opening ceremony which was well-attended by townspeople.”View a photo gallery.Davis said more than 40 medals were given out Saturday while the Lynn Special Olympics team took home this year?s first-place trophy.?It?s unbelievable,” said Davis. “That?s what it?s all about. They have a wonderful time and it was a pretty emotional day.”For Agganis, Saturday was “all smiles,” especially since his 8-year-old son Gerry got to participate in the obstacle course.?It was a great turnout,” said Agganis. “The weather was with us and there were a lot of smiling faces and good people.”Agganis said he?s still waiting to get a final tally of the money raised last week, but noted he is over the $20,000 mark so far. Agganis said the money comes from donations from residents and businesses along with a percentage from the carnival proceeds.?We still have money coming in,” said Agganis. “We won?t know until another two or three weeks.All of the money raised goes toward the special education program at Saugus schools, said Agganis, who noted the five-day event is the largest fundraiser for the schools.?This is probably the biggest one that brings so many people together,” said Agganis. “It takes a long time to plan. You have to set it up and coordinate with the town and the Special Olympics. I enjoy it. I do it for the kids and my boy is part of it too. I just want to thank everyone in the town, the businesses, the volunteers, the Special Olympics.”Dalene Basden, the coordinator for the Lynn Special Olympics program, boasted about her team?s win.?Of course we won,” said Basden. “This was our second or third year doing it. The softball game was like an exhibition game, but it included opening ceremonies and things for the youth of the community to do.”Basden said her team looks forward to the event every year.?It?s important because it?s an opportunity for the athletes to showcase their skills and to be a bigger part of the whole Agganis picture,” said Basden. “It?s a chance for the volunteers to give back. We always love that and getting to do something with the Special Olympics athletes. It?s not an event that?s done in every community. Lynn is very happy to support the Saugus community and the Special Olympics athletes from Saugus.”Town Manager Scott Crabtree went to the carnival with his family last week, and said it?s events like that which help “bring the community together for a good cause.”?I went a couple of days with the kids,” said Crabtree. “I think it?s nice. It seemed like a pretty good turnout. It?s a nice community event. There were a lot of families there. It?s pretty admirable what Steve Agganis and his family do for the residents and the kids with special needs.”Selectman Stephen Horlick volunteered to work the grill for the Special Olympics day, and cooked up hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages for everyone. Horlick said the festival would not be possible without the hard work of both Agganis and Davis.?This is one of the best events that have grown over the last several years,” said Horlick. “The Agganis family has given their heart and soul to this for the special needs children in the school system, and Bob Davis and his family have always stepped up to the plate.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].