Page 6 - WhatWomenWant_3Rivers_feb2015

6SS • What Women Want • An Advertising Supplement to the Three Rivers Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Sunday, February 8, 2015
PHOTO BY EILISH PALMER/THREE RIVERS EDITION
Beth Hicks, 24, of Cabot learned the importance of volunteerism and giving back to her community at an early age. Her father, Bobby Doyle, served as director of Special Olympics Arkansas for 40 years prior to his untimely death in November 2014. Hicks said his emphasis on volunteerism left a lasting impression, and she plans to instill the same values in her children.
‘Just what you do’ Cabot woman’s father instilled in her the value of volunteerism
BY WENDY MILLER SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Some of 24-year-old Beth Hicks’ earliest memories revolve around volunteerism. With her father, Bobby Doyle, serving as director of Special Olympics Arkansas for 40 years, volunteering time to nonprofit organizations was just a way of life for her.
but you also get the opportunity to visit the country- side,” she said. “It is neat to see a country come to- gether and be so warming and welcoming, not only to our country but just to all different countries and to these people who have intellectual disabilities.”
In 2007, Hicks traveled with her family and Ar- kansas athletes to China while she was a senior at Cabot High School, and in 2011 while she was in college, she visited Greece for the world games. Hicks said visiting these countries and seeing the impact of the games on an international level are experiences she will never forget.
“To be able to see our Special Olympics athletes performing in places where actual Olympic Games have been held was a really cool experience,” Hicks said.
Hicks said her dad was invested in maintaining the volunteer-driven environment of Special Olym- pics Arkansas and kept the staff to only about 10 members and relied heavily on those who were in- terested in donating their time to make the events a success.
“Dad was very avid about that,” Hicks said. “You appreciate your volunteers because they don’t have to be here, but something is calling them to be here.”
When Hicks met her now-husband, Bo, while in high school, of course he immediately got in- volved with the program as well. Beth simply said, “Hey, come on; we’ve got things to do,” and Bo was hooked, too.
“It is very rewarding getting to help them and see the kids happy,” Bo said.
The joy of volunteering isn’t the only thing Beth learned from her dad and her involvement in Spe- cial Olympics. The experience also led her to an interest in teaching.
“Beth was raised as a Special Olympics baby, lit- erally,” said her mother, Peggy Doyle. “She went to all of the events in her carriers and strollers from the very beginning.”
Special Olympics Arkansas is divided into 17 ar- eas where those with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to compete in 20 sports. Through- out the state, there are more than 15,000 regis- tered athletes, 240 competitions and more than 5,000 dedicated volunteers who participate in the program, according to Special Olympics Arkansas’ website.
“The Special Olympics athletes love you for who you are,” Hicks said. “They don’t care anything about you other than you are there and supporting them. They are just full of love, and that is what you get when you are there. That is one of the coolest things about it.”
Aside from the lifelong friends she has made through the program, Hicks is quick to explain that there are many different aspects of Special Olympics Arkansas, and her dad introduced her to just about every single one before his sudden death from a heart attack in November 2014, only a couple of years after retiring as director of the organization.
From regional competitions to sports camps for the athletes to simple representation at events across the state, Hicks was there and loved every minute of it. If her dad couldn’t make it to an event, he commonly asked her or another member of the
family to at least make an appearance and see how things were going.
“We all got involved,” Hicks said. “[My dad] poured his heart and soul into that job and career. He loved every ounce of that job. You very rarely find somebody who loves everything about what they do, but he put every hour and minute of the day into it.”
As a nonprofit organization, Special Olympics Arkansas relies heavily on fundraising efforts in communities across the state. Annual opportunities include the Law Enforcement Torch Run, when police officers take turns running with the Special Olympics torch across the state, and Tip A Cop, when officers work as servers at restaurants to earn tips that benefit the organization.
One of the most recognizable fundraising events, however, is the Polar Plunge, which involves diving into a local body of water during a winter month.
“I [plunged] one time, and I was done,” Hicks said. “That is one of those things you have to do once in your life to say that you’ve done it. I went with dad several times and dressed up as his side- kick. ”
In Doyle’s time as director, Hicks and her family were able not only to travel the state of Arkansas in support of the games; they also had the opportunity to travel abroad to see Arkansas athletes compete as a part of Team USA in the world games.
“You get to go and support and see our athletes,