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Special Interest Stories
SOVA Honors Sheriff Charles Jett
They are “Guardians of the Flame.” For the past 23 years, they’ve proudly carried the “Flame of Hope,” lighting the way to acceptance for Special Olympics athletes throughout the Commonwealth – and officially “kicking off” the annual Summer Games! But for the more than 3,000 officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, it’s about more than carrying the torch for Special Olympics Virginia. It’s a mission; a serious commitment by the Virginia Law Enforcement community to pay homage to our heroes – the Special Olympics Virginia athletes and their families. To recognize the outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the statewide success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia the Virginia Torch Run Hall of Fame was created. This 2008 recipient of this prominent award was Sheriff Charles Jeff from the Stafford County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Jett and the Department is known throughout the community for promoting awareness and diligently raising funds through the Torch Run for the Special Olympics Virginia. In 2004 - 2005, Sheriff Jett held the position of Director over Region 2 which includes Stafford and surrounding Counties. As Region Director, Sheriff Jett oversaw local efforts in support of the Virginia Torch Run including runner recruitment, fundraising and public relations. In 2005, he helped Region 2 raise over $17,500 for Special Olympics Virginia. Charlie has served on the VA State Board of Directors for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and currently he is the State Torch Run Chair. In his position as Chair he helped collect over $808,000 for the 21st Annual Torch Run from the 13 regions in the state.
In addition to his involvement with the Torch Run, Charlie is always willing to step up and lend a hand when it comes to any aspect of Special Olympics VA. For numerous years he has taken the plunge into the icy waters for the annual Polar Plunge. He has been an excellent role model for others including his two sons who now take pride in taking the plunge with him to raise money for SOVA. Most recently Sheriff Jett and the Department founded a new program for cadets with intellectual or physical disabilities (see The Sheriff's Special Star Force Cadet story below).
Area 11 SOVA can always count on Sheriff Jeff for his help and support and would like to extend our congratulations for this well deserved honor. Be
sure to visit our
Photo Gallery for pictures of the award presentation and the Torch Run.
The
Sheriff's Special Star Force Cadets
Sheriff Charles Jett and
Captain Steve Carey of the Stafford
Sheriff's Office
founded a new program for cadets
with intellectual or physical disabilities.
The program is the first of its kind in the country and we
are proud that the first nine members inducted into this
program are all Area 11 athletes!
The first group of cadets to be sworn in range from ages 13 - 22.
They are: Captain Matthew Doyle, Cadet
Charlie Resh, Cadet Kevin Vogt, Cadet Ryan O'Meara, Cadet
Ashley Menice, Cadet Callos McCallum, Cadet Carson Leggitt,
Cadet John Chisolm and Cadet Corey Alden.
"The goal is to give youth
with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience
law enforcement," Jett said. "But just as importantly, it's
meant to give deputies opportunities to interact with a
segment of the community that oftentimes is set off to the
side."
Click here to read more about
the Sheriff's Star Special Force Cadets and be sure to visit
our
Photo Gallery for more pictures of the
cadets.
Grace Anne Braxton is a
Big Star!!!
Everyone at Area 11 is very proud of Grace Anne Braxton. We could not ask
for a greater representative of Special Olympics Virginia!
Grace Anne is
a truly remarkable woman and athlete. She always excels everytime she competes and was recognized for her accomplishments in
the September - October 2007 edition of the Virginia
Golfer magazine.
Click here
to take a peek at our very own Cover Girl!! The article highlights her
accomplishments that took her on the road to Shanghai, China in October to
compete in the
2007 Summer World Games.
It was no surprise that Grace
Anne Braxton brought home the gold when she took FIRST
PLACE in the
Golf-Level 5 Stroke Play 18 Hole
competition. See
our Event Archives
page for
more details and results of the 2007. Summer World
Games.
 
The Loneliest Road Campaign
At nineteen months old, Grace Lindsay Oughton was diagnosed with a rapidly
progressing cancer called Neuroblastoma. Because of the rare nature of
Grace’s cancer, the best treatment option required her to travel to a specialty
center where she underwent chemotherapy and other aggressive treatments. Grace’s initial therapy took place at Children’s Hospital – Boston and the
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jimmy Fund Clinic. Grace was declared in
remission in June of 2006, prior to enduring the first of two stem cell
transplants. On February 14th, 2007 the Oughton family was blindsided by
the news that Grace’s cancer had returned. They resumed the fight to save
their daughter and lived through every parent’s worst nightmare.
Grace's father,
Alec,
personally joined the fight against cancer. On September 10, 2007, five fathers
from around the globe participated in a grueling adventure in hopes of saving
the lives of their children and others affected by Neuroblastoma. The five
fathers began in Sacramento CA and collectively cycled 3700 miles,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Washington, DC where they united with other
Neuroblastoma families to raise awareness and money for cutting edge treatments
that can be used to fight this aggressive childhood cancer. To learn more about
the Loneliest Road Campaign and how you can help, please visit the
Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation.
 It
is with great sadness that Grace Oughton went to be with the Lord on Monday,
October 29, 2007. Area 11 holds a special place in our hearts for
Grace's family as they graciously donated us a storage facility as a way to help
our athletes and to honor Grace's brave fight against Neuroblastoma. Although
the Oughton Family is feeling such a great loss, may they find comfort in the
fact that the Lord has gained an Angel and that their efforts could help make a
difference in many children's lives. The Oughton Family will continue to be in
our thoughts and prayers.
Teaching the Bible to Children With Autism
Click here
to read the inspirational story about children
with autism trying to get a religious education.
March Madness at
Colonial Forge High School
Click here
to read about Special Olympian and King
George resident Kyle Draper.
Parenting - A Journey of Love
Click here
to read the touching story of the love that
brought us one of our (previous) precious athletes, Oana Warren.
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