ATHLETES INSPIRE SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEER CADRE.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Driven by a desire to allow mentally disabled youths and adults to explore their athletic ability, a group of volunteers has dedicated its time to helping run Special Olympics in the Santa Clarita Valley.

``The athletes inspire me because they just love life,'' said volunteer Suzanne Vanvakaris, who serves as the finance chairwoman for the program that offers sports opportunities and competition to mentally disabled athletes. ``They try so hard, it makes me want to try and make the world a better place.''

A group of 10 volunteers runs the program's office throughout the year and more than 30 residents coach about 200 athletes between the ages of 8 and 80 in basketball, track and field, swimming, softball, boccie ball (lawn bowling) and floor hockey.

``The volunteers have a huge amount of passion because of what they get out of the athletes,'' Hartmann said. ``The athletes are so giving, they work so hard and are so enthusiastic, it gives a tremendous amount of warmth and you really feel like you're contributing to their development.''

Not all the volunteers are prompted to join because they have a child in the program. Vanvakaris is one of many Special Olympics volunteers who doesn't, but is drawn to lend support.

``I had always wanted to work with young people and young adults, and I like sports,'' said Vanvakaris, who has worked between 10 and 15 hours a week since 1998 as the program's bookkeeper and administrative assistant, as well as coaching once a week. ``There's something about working with these guys that is more rewarding in a lot of ways - one little accomplishment for them and they are so overjoyed by it, and seeing that is so inspiring.''

Now, her husband also coaches a team and the couple's children are regular assistants.

Like Vanvakaris, Leslie Borgen, the co-coordinator of fund-raising, doesn't have a child in the program, but began volunteering two years ago out of a desire to get involved in the community.

``It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life,'' Borgen said. ``For very little effort, you get a lot back.''

Volunteer Jackie Hartmann, who coaches, coordinates local games and serves as the chapter's spokeswoman, said she became interested in the program because she wanted to get her mentally disabled daughterinvolved in extracurricular activities.

``She's been in track and field for the last five years,'' said Hartmann, who loves to see her daughter's potential come alive when she participates in sports. ``My daughter didn't walk until she was 3 1/2 and talk until she was 6. Now, she can run the 200-meter dash and compete as an athlete.''

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Photo:

(color) Before the holidays, volunteers sorted gifts for members of the Santa Clarita Sharks Special Olympics hockey team.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer