Ozzie Smith presents funds to Special Olympics Missouri

August 17, 2022 at 4:00 a.m.

by Joe Gamm

Special Olympics Missouri staff, guests and athletes joined Ozzie Smith Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, for a check presentation at the Training for Life Campus in Jefferson City. Smith hosted a golf tournament fundraiser in July to benefit multiple non-profits, including SOMO. Athlete Abby Bax, third from left in front row, who met Smith at the tournament, joined fellow special athlete Fadraon Anderson, second from left, as Smith presented Luke Lamb, fourth from right, with a check for $10,000. Lamb serves as director of sports competition and statewide training for SOMO and was joined by fellow staffers Melinda Wrye-Washington, at left, Larry Linthacum, behind Lamb, and Brian Neuner, at right. Also pictured are Derrick Spicer, second from right, and Jason Jett, background left. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)
Special Olympics Missouri staff, guests and athletes joined Ozzie Smith Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, for a check presentation at the Training for Life Campus in Jefferson City. Smith hosted a golf tournament fundraiser in July to benefit multiple non-profits, including SOMO. Athlete Abby Bax, third from left in front row, who met Smith at the tournament, joined fellow special athlete Fadraon Anderson, second from left, as Smith presented Luke Lamb, fourth from right, with a check for $10,000. Lamb serves as director of sports competition and statewide training for SOMO and was joined by fellow staffers Melinda Wrye-Washington, at left, Larry Linthacum, behind Lamb, and Brian Neuner, at right. Also pictured are Derrick Spicer, second from right, and Jason Jett, background left. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)

Ozzie Smith traveled to Jefferson City on Tuesday to present a check to Special Olympics Missouri.

The St. Louis Cardinals baseball legend held a golf tournament in late July -- his second in two years -- to raise money for numerous nonprofit organizations, including Special Olympics.

The hall-of-famer presented his gift of $10,000 to SOMO during a ceremony early Tuesday afternoon at the Training for Life Campus in Jefferson City.

Following the presentation, Abby Bax -- a Special Olympics athlete -- and others gave Smith a tour of the campus. Bax and Smith demonstrated the capabilities of a soundproof room (used during hearing screenings) in the health section of the campus.

It is believed Missouri's campus is the only one in the nation with a wing dedicated to health screenings and care.

They later shot hoops together in the campus gymnasium.

"It's nice to give back," Smith said. "And Special Olympics has always been in a special place in my heart. It's nice to help out in some small way."

Over the years, Smith said he's worked with Special Olympics athletes of all ages. He said the program represents all children. Given the opportunity, they can do whatever they put their minds to, he said.

It is nice, he added, to help in some small way.

Smith pointed out he met Bax at his golf tournament and played a quick game of catch with her at the time.

"It was a neat moment," he said. "It's even more special now that we can give them a check for $10,000."

  photo  Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: Special athlete Abby Bax takes Ozzie Smith on a tour of the Special Olympics MIssouri Training for Life Campus during Smith's first-time visit. The former Cardinals shortstop hosted a golf tournament in July from which several non-profits benefitted, including SOMO, where Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, he visited to donate proceeds from the event. Bax met Smith at the golf tournament so was quick to greet him and to offer the tour. Behind Smith is Derrick Spicer followed by Andrew Kauffman.
  

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