Baylor Volunteers are "SO" Awesome!

By Ramonica Jones

Matt Hayes loved volunteering with Special Olympics Texas so much as a teen that he wanted to continue his involvement in college.  His love for SOTX athletes led to the creation of the Baylor Special Olympics Volunteer Group (BSOVG).  In 2011, Hayes rounded up some friends and together they were able to get the organization approved as a student interest group; in 2012, BSOVG became a recognized campus organization.  Today, BSOVG is one of the few groups sponsored by the University's Community Engagement and Service office.

In 2011, there were 25 members in the group, including three officers. A year later, the group had grown to 65 students and seven officers. Its members have volunteered with several Heart of Texas Area events over the last two years, including Spring Games and area basketball, softball, bocce and flag football competitions. Several members also participated in the 2013 Polar Plunge as part of the BSOVG team.