Community volunteers, county programs raised funds and supported Special Olympics

County staff and volunteers reported this week that a recent golf tournament raised roughly $17,000 for resident support and that Strafford County participated in the New Hampshire Special Olympics torch run and event logistics.

Melissa Marta, community volunteer (golf committee), and other golf committee members — identified in the meeting as Maria Air and Erin Mallon — described the tournament turnout and thanked volunteers and last‑minute helpers such as Susan Rice (name provided; affiliation not specified in transcript). Staff said the event had about 20 sponsors and 18 raffle sponsors and that “every penny goes to the residents.”

Separately, staff described county participation in the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics activities. County corrections and other staff logged more than 131 volunteer hours for setup across multiple locations, transported roughly 100 tables and 900 chairs from storage, and assisted with moving bocce courts and other equipment when weather forced venue changes. County staff said heavy weather canceled some planned activities, including a cruiser parade, but that organizers managed to relocate and hold most athletic events.

Commissioners thanked volunteers and community corrections staff for logistics and transportation support; staff said they had authorized community corrections to travel outside the county to pick up equipment from storage in Manchester and Kittery because it was necessary to support an in‑county event.

Staff noted these efforts are part of recurring community partnerships with law enforcement and Special Olympics and emphasized the county’s logistical role in supporting statewide events.