PGA golfer Robert Garrigus kicked things off last summer when he donated the clubs and bag to his brother in law, Los Alamos Police Cmdr. Oliver Morris. Morris is the agency coordinator for the North Central Region of the Special Olympics. He and others spent the summer selling raffle tickets at Gordons Concerts, the Homecoming game at Sullivan Field and the golf course to help the Special Olympics program.

Special Olympics athletes Gabe Rau and Sam Zimmerly joined Morris today at the golf course where Zimmerly drew the winning ticket, which belonged to Los Alamos County golf pro Donnie Torres.

Someone called Torres in from out on the course to the patio area where the drawing took place.

Upon hearing the news, Torres immediately said, “I am donating these clubs to the Los Alamos Rotary Club for the auction at their Crab Fest fundraiser.”

Proceeds from that annual fundraiser go toward needed projects in the community such as the recent installation of an audio loop at Duane Smith Auditorium. Rotarian Skip King has chaired the fundraiser for several years and today commended Torres for his selfless gesture.

Cmdr. Morris has a long history of involvement with the Special Olympics program.

“I really want to thank my brother in law for donating the golf clubs and Donnie Torres for his generosity here today,” Morris said. “I also want to thank all the community members who purchased raffle tickets and helped us raise more than $500 for Special Olympics.”

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.