The 22 local stars, including mayors, meteorologists and law enforcement, played against the Special Olympics Wood County Wildcats on Tuesday.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Local celebrities took to the court Tuesday night for the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ sixth annual Celebrity Basketball Game held at the Bowling Green Community Center.
Twenty-two local “stars,” including mayors, meteorologists and law enforcement, played against the Special Olympics’ Wood County Wildcats. WTOL 11 Meteorologist Ryan Wichman played for the celebrity team.
The game marked the first of many events hosted by the board in honor of Developmental Disability Awareness Month, which is celebrated in March.
“There are just so many people who are willing to come and spend the time with us to show us their support of developmental disabilities and help us raise awareness and recognition for those all throughout the county and all throughout the nation,” said Charese Botjer, the board’s communications and community engagement manager.
According to Botjer, a new addition this year was a red carpet for the celebrities to walk out on, who were also encouraged to wear their best “black-tie affair” ahead of the big game. Celebrities also received small golden awards for participating.
The board hosted a T-shirt sale with all proceeds going toward new equipment, uniforms and other facility costs for the Special Olympics athletes. They come up with a new design each year, and this year, they chose black to fit the theme of a black-tie event.
Organizers also collected non-perishable food items at the door for admission.
Botjer, who has been with the board for almost 3 years, says the event moves her to tears when she sees the joy on the athlete’s faces.
“It’s a very big deal for our athletes. There’s a gym full of people in there that are smiling and laughing,” she said. “We are forever grateful for their [celebrities] support in coming out to raise awareness for us and just have a good time and smile and make the best of memories that they could possibly make with us.”
To check out the board’s lineup of events for March, click here.
