Jim Domer Honored as SOTX Unified Partner of the Year

By Heather Crabill

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) has officially announced the winners of its statewide 2016 Volunteer Awards. Among the five recipients of these awards, Area 10's Jim Domer (Lewisville) has been named the Unified Partner of the Year. 

Domer will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 14 in Bryan/College Station during the 2016 SOTX Fall Classic competition, along with Saint Jo’s Laurie Martin (Trainer of the Year), Sgt. Jason James (Outstanding Volunteer for Fundraising), Renae Carswell (Volunteer of the Year) and the Mehnert family (Family of the Year). 

Domer, the 2009 statewide Volunteer of the Year, has been devoting his time to SOTX for more than 30 years. Among his many roles over the years, he has served as Head of Delegation for Lewisville ISD Special Olympics, where he has been a certified coach of nine sports, a Unified Partner and has aided in securing facilities for practices. He became a Unified Partner when the softball team that he was coaching did not have enough players to play. He formed a team with parents and friends, but still needing an extra player, decided to play as well. 

“Coach Domer always puts our athletes’ interest first and makes sure that they have a fair and fun experience when competing in out delegation,” said Renae Carswell. “If not for his love of the athletes and perseverance, we would not have a softball team today.”