Camden County Holding Recruitment Event for National Wheelchair Games Sunday

The Camden County Freeholder Board and Temple Emanuel, Samaritan Healthcare and the New Jersey Hospice-Veteran Partnership, are hosting the South Jersey Volunteer Recruitment Kick-off for the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

The kickoff takes place Sunday at 2 p.m. at Temple Emanuel at 1101 Springdale Road in Cherry Hill.

This year’s games, co-presented by the Freeholder Board and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, are being held from Aug. 12 to 17 at locations in Philadelphia and South Jersey.

The kickoff event is designed to recruit more than 2,500 volunteers for the multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or other neurological disorders.

“Our veterans need you to help make this event a great success.  In return, you will get to participate in a truly rewarding experience,” Freeholder Ed McDonnell, liaison to the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs, said in a statement issued on Friday. “Volunteer opportunities at the games range from assisting at sporting events to acting as greeters or drivers.” 

The games attract more than 500 athletes each year. It is the largest wheelchair sports event in the world, and was created to improve the quality of life for veterans with disabilities and to foster better health through sports competition.

Competitive events at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games include air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field events, handcycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine-ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting.  Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.

For more information on volunteering, contact the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs at 856-374-5801.