(top) Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson, 73, speaks about his involvement with the Special Olympics during the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club's weekly luncheon at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. "From the very start in 1969, I wanted to be a part of helping our Special Olympics athletes succeed. I'm another set of eyes, another set of hands and a heart working to be there for them, finding a way to help them be the best they can be." -- Rafer Johnson  (above) Santa Monica Kiwanis club president, Patty Logging presents a $500.00 contribution to Special Olympic athlete Eddie Mack, 43, and Rafer Johnson, 73, to benefit the Special Olympics.

Rafer Johnson, along with a small group of volunteers, founded California Special Olympics in 1969 by conducting a competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 900 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Rafer’s involvement in Special Olympics began the year before, when he attended the first Special Olympics competition, conducted by Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. That event inspired Rafer to become more involved.

After the first California games in 1969, Rafer became one of the original members of the Board of Directors. The Board worked together to raise funds and offer a modest program of swimming and track and field. In 1983, Rafer ran for President of the Board to increase Board participation, reorganize the staff to most effectively use each person’s talents and expand fundraising efforts. He was elected president and served in that capacity until July 1992, when he was named Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Over the years, Rafer has been involved with scores of charities. However, he is most passionate about Special Olympics Southern California. Rafer was the USA Team Captain and Flag bearer at the Rome Games and was selected to light the Olympic Cauldron to open the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He and his wife Betsy, reside in Southern California. His son, Josh, was a Javelin Thrower for UCLA and his daughter, Jenny, competed at the 2000 Sydney Games in Beach Volleyball.

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. The Special Olympics movement transforms communities by inspiring people throughout the world to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities and thereby celebrate the similarities common to all people. Special Olympics athletes compete in categories based on gender, age, and ability level. All Special Olympics activities reflect the values, standards, traditions, ceremonies, and events embodied in the modern Olympic movement. These activities have been broadened and enriched to celebrate the moral and spiritual qualities of persons with intellectual disabilities to enhance their dignity and self-esteem. Special Olympics Programs are offered at no cost to the athletes and their families. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization.

http://www.sosc.org/

(top) Santa Monica's Police Chief Timothy J. Jackman (left) and Fire Chief Jim Hone go head-to-head during the Thirteenth Annual "SuperBowl-A-Thon" at AMF Bay Shore Lanes on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. Chief Hone won the chiefs challenge with a score of 140 to a close 135, but the SMPD beat the SMFD with an overall score of 691 to 594. (center) In a  tradition dating back to the 1917 Opening Day Ceremonies of the Santa Monica Bowling Alleys on the Pier, Santa Monica Fire Chief Hone (right) receives the first place trophy while Santa Monica Police Chief Jackman gets a bottle of Ketchup. (above) Santa Monica Kiwanis President Patty Loggins returns her shoes during the Bowl-A-Thon, her score was 122. Nearly 500 bowlers on teams representing various businesses, social service agencies and local government participated in the SuperBowl-A-Thon bringing together the private and public sector in an effort to eradicate homelessness in Santa Monica and transform the community. It benefits the Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition’s efforts to strengthen services to homeless and at-risk, men, women and families through education, advocacy and service coordination.

(top) Santa Monica Kiwanis President Patty Loggins and her boyfriend Pete Larssen, prepare turkey baskets during the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Basket Distribution community service projecton Monday, November 24, 2008, at the Santa Monica Police Activities League. The 25 turkey baskets included a complete Thanksgivings dinner with all the trimmings; Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, yams, gravy, broth, and cranberries. The baskets were distributed to families around Santa Monica. (above) UCLA Circle Key club members volunteer to transport the turkeys baskets to people in the community.

Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson from St.Monica’s Church presents a message with the theme of being thankful during the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica's weekly luncheon  on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at the Santa Monica Family YMCA. "People jump from one thing to the next. Slow down and make this season a time to become a community of gratitude," said Monsignor Torgerson. 

Kiwanians Edward Guerboian, (left) owner of Readers Fine Jewelers, goes "All-in" as John Lee, (right) owner of Mrs. Garcia's Catering, calls his bluff while playing a practice hand of Texas Hold'em during the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica's weekly luncheon at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Wednesday, July 2, 2008.  Guerboian won the jackpot with a pair of Kings. The Kiwanians were learning to play Texas Hold'em in preparation for their Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament fundraiser which will be held next Saturday, July 12th at the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades. Buy-ins cost $65.00 and gets you $1000.00 of chips and includes a buffet and a complimentary drink ticket. Prizes include a week in the Presidential Suite Cabo San Lucas, weekend getaways, gift certificates, coupon for $500.00 worth of gas and more. Kiwanis International is an organization of service clubs headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Members of Kiwanis place special emphasis on service to children and youth, both through international initiatives intended to improve the quality of life of children around the world, and through their Service Leadership Programs.

Santa Monica High School Senior  Greg Fiala, performs "Yellow After The Rain," on the Marimba during  the 59th Annual Santa Monica Kiwanis Music Scholarship Awards Luncheon at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Wednesday June 18, 2008. Fiala received first Place in  the High School  Instrumental  division and won a Kiwanis scholarship. Kiwanis International is an organization of service clubs headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Members of Kiwanis place special emphasis on service to children and youth, both through international initiatives intended to improve the quality of life of children around the world, and through their Service Leadership Programs, made up of about 7,000 youth clubs with about 320,000 youth members. Today, Kiwanis International has more than 600,000 members in more than 13,000 clubs, located in more than 90 countries around the world.