A new athletic organization has popped up in southwestern Missouri called Challengers United. The group was designed for special needs citizens in the area, and all who wish to become a part of it are welcome. Challengers United was formed by a small group of partners in policy graduates who are the parents of special needs children in order to provide them with the opportunity to participate in athletic activities that they would otherwise be excluded from.

"We have sons with disabilities so we know what its like for them not to be involved in most school activities or athletic sports so that's how we came up with the idea so that kids and adults with disabilities can have some fun," said Crystal Stone, one of the founders of the program. This organization is geared toward special needs people, but it is also opened to anyone else who might like to participate.

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"It is actually for normal kids too so they can see what kids with disabilities are able to do that they don't see in school because they are not around them all the time," Stone said. The organizers of Challengers United felt that this organization was needed in the community to provide an outlet for special needs children to get involved with activities, thus allowing the community to come together more as a whole, and hope that the organization will be able to find a permanent home somewhere in the area. The group has already had two organizational meetings, plus a preliminary get-together. The kickoff picnic was held on Saturday, April 26, at the Lions Club Park in El Dorado Springs. Athletes and their families enjoyed a picnic lunch along with several athletic activities and games including volleyball, badminton, tug of war, and games of skill. So far, events and meetings have been taking place in El Dorado Springs, but the group stresses that it's open to anyone in neighboring counties as well who wants to participate -- and is planning more events in the future.

The program is for anybody living in the El Dorado Springs, Stockton, Bolivar, Nevada, Roscoe, Osceola. Appleton and other nearby communities, organizers said in an e-mail.

The next meeting is set for Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m., in the meeting room at the Cedar County Memorial Hospital. The purpose of this meeting is to plan upcoming athletic events and programs. Anyone who is either a parent of a special needs individual or anyone interested in volunteering for this program mayattend the meeting.

For more information, call Julie Stone at (417) 876-6428 or send an e-mail to challengersunited@hughes.net.