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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Larry Serafin’ s 40 Years with Special Olympics PA
As fall arrives, it is a meaningful time to celebrate the many ways people give back in our community. One inspiring example is Larry Serafin, a longtime volunteer with Special Olympics PA, Northwest Region, who has coached hundreds of athletes with Intellectual Disabilities, helping them improve their skills, celebrate wins, accept losses and find the joy in being part of a team.
For 40 years, Larry has guided athletes through the highs and lows of competition. His years of service show how volunteering can make a lasting difference, not only for athletes, but also for the coaches and community members who support them.
Larry first became involved with Special Olympics about 40 years ago with track and field while working with an athlete who used a wheelchair. That athlete later became Larry’ s assistant basketball coach, a full-circle moment that reflects the relationships and leadership opportunities created through Special Olympics.
Although Larry started in track and field, he has spent most of his years coaching basketball. Over the years, he has worked with hundreds of athletes, helping them to learn the game and experience what it means to be part of a team.
When asked about his proudest moment as a coach, Larry remembered a Summer Games competition at Penn State University in State College. His 5-on-5 basketball team struggled during the preliminary games and
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