Local students participated in the Holmdel School District’s fifth annual Unified Game Day that was recently held at Cross Farm Park in Holmdel.
According to the press release from the Holmdel School District, over 200 Special Needs and General Education Peers were involved in the event that attracted the Colts Neck, Little Silver and Upper Freehold Regional School districts as well as the Harbor School from Eatontown.
Athletes and peers joined together to learn the skills that were taught during the school year in the Adaptive Physical Education classes.
The students performed multiple soccer skills and took part in yoga exercises. The Holmdel boys’ and girls’ soccer teams and Holmdel’s Team Unify served as trainers. Holmdel Related Service professionals also assisted in modifying the skills.
According to the press release, lunches were donated by Best Market, Chartwells, Dearborn Farms, Delicious Orchards, Shop Right, Food Circus Supermarket, Stop & Shop, and the Villiage School PSA. Transportation was donated by Helfrich and Sons, Keyport Autos, and Unlimited Autos, while DJ Nick Paolantonio provided the music for the day, according to the press release.
Project Unify was a “driving force” behind the event, according to the press release. Project Unify is a Special Olympics peer program designed to promote and develop understanding, acceptance, and respect between young people, the press release stated.