SALINAS VALLEY — Thanks to the incarcerated population, the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad raised over $17,000 for Special Olympics during their Flame of Hope event.
“I thought that was amazing,” said the Special Olympics athlete Hall-of-Famer known as J-Lo. “It’s like we won the lottery.”
According to Correctional Counselor Dunaven, this will help cover costs for multiple athletes.
“Usually, it costs about $150 to $250 per athlete to train,” she said.
All of the funds raised go to help the athletes cover the cost of gas, transport, coaching and equipment.
For one of the incarcerated people who pitched in to help, the event was personal.
“My brother and my cousin were both developmentally disabled,” said Cameron Mitchell. “My brother couldn’t always keep up with the rest of us or follow the game. So, we always adapted them to be inclusive. It never felt good to win if I couldn’t share that feeling with the people I love.”
Benefits reach beyond prison walls
J-Lo said she enjoys being silly and goofy at events like these.
“It makes me happy because I like to make people laugh. (My) energy and dancing gets them encouraged,” she said. “I’m a dancer. I’ve always been a dancer. I love music, dancing, karaoke. And I like to compete, too.”
At the carnival-themed Flame of Hope event held in mid-September, there were games, cotton candy and the always popular dunk tank.
“The most popular thing for sure was the dunk tank,” said Dunaven.
She said Associate Warden Deverick volunteered to be dunked and had a good time.
“It’s really important to give the population an opportunity to give back to the community,” said Lt. Landrum. “My son is on the spectrum for autism, and I go with him to Special Olympics and events in the community. It really does hit home that all the money they are raising here is (benefiting) our communities.”
