By Laurie Sherman, Fidalgo Soccer Coach
Darcy Storme is a multi-talented, hard working individual with a purpose.
I met her 12 years ago when she turned out for my Special Olympic Soccer Team. It was the
first time I had coached and the first soccer team for Fidalgo Special Olympics - lucky for me, as Darcy became my "secretary" helping to remind me of upcoming dates and responsibilites for our team. She pays attention to the calendar and manages her time well. This must be why she is one the top fundraisers in the state from the Eagles for Special Olympics . She is also involved with the American Legion, the Quilters Club, Relay for Life, and Aktion Club. She does all this while holding down a part time job at McDonalds and manages to find time to volunteer at Buer's Florist too. As you can see there are many who enjoy Darcy's good company.How does she do it?
It begins with her love of helping others, something fostered by her mentors; her grandmother, parents, the good people of the Eagles Club Foe #249, and all the friends she has made over the years. Darcy decided when she joined the Eagles, 21 years ago, to pick Special Olympics as her charity and has raised thousands of dollars over the last several years. She said, "Because I am part of Special Olympics, I chose to make it my charity". Over the last 20 years she has competed in soccer, basketball, swimming, and softball. Every year Darcy, together with friends, sponsers a Pork Loin dinner at the Eagles. By the way this is a very delicious meal not to be missed, finished with Darcy's famous deep dish apple pie, which I understand her grandmother taught her to make. Many of her team mates help prepare and serve the meal as well as greet guests at the door. The year that won her the highest honor, she managed a silent auction with di
nner and baked cookies to sell each week at the meetings. In addition she made a quilt and raffled it off to the highest bidder. "Industrious, gets to know people, you can count on her, always willing to help", the people who know her say these things.Of course nobody who accomplishes so much does it alone. Kudos to the Eagles members, to visiting Angel, to the Kiwaniis, local businesses and people of Anacortes that realize, utilize and respect the abilities and potential of people with special needs. Ed Gegan, Anacortes Special Olympics Coordinator, says it best, "through the years Darcy's efforts have paid off in big ways. Not only in putting money into the program but also bringing to our community, the abilities of our citizens with dis-abilites. Without Darcy's willingness to put on these dinners some would never have the privilege of meeting our athletes."
Darcy is a remarkable young lady that has proven that disabilities do not not make us dis-abled.
Go Darcy! There's a big world out there waiting for you to take charge!".
