Challenge race brings smiles to youngsters with disabilities

Published 3:09 pm Friday, August 15, 2014

Twenty enthusiastic children with disabilities came ready to race Saturday as the Rotary Club of Sammamish and LEO (Life Enrichment Options) hosted the 10th annual Soapbox Derby-type race in Sammamish.

The event pairs an able-bodied youth with a youngster with a disability to race down a hill in a gravity-powered car.

Pitching in to help at the event were Eastside Fire and Rescue and Explorers, Sammamish Police Department, Skyline Cheerleaders, Athletes for Kids and Trader Joe’s in Sammamish, handing out snacks and water. Sammamish Mayor Tom Vance kicked off the races by waving the flag “GO!” before the first race.

Money was raised through financial sponsorships that will go to building and maintaining homes for adults with disabilities that enable them to live independently, said Rebecca Jay, who coordinated the event for the Rotary club. Currently there are five such homes in the Issaquah-Sammamish area.

Left: Lauren Tiburieo (left) and Josh Grueber

Bottom: Preston Bork shows off his trophy.

Kristina Williams photos