Jackie Brenner

Jack Brenner, right, activities coordinator for Friends of Special Athletes, passes Jackie Heckman, 11, of Fort Mill the ball on Saturday at Gold Hill Middle School.
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Jack Brenner, 66, who lives on a houseboat in River Hills and owns Jack Brenner & Associates, coordinated Friends because he understands special

athletes need special attention.

"We treat them as normal as possible.We push them to do things.We get to learn their personalities and we have a fair idea of what they can really do," said Brenner, who was chairman of track and field for Maryland's Special Olympics from 1968 to 1974.

Friends is an all-volunteer program with little overhead.In fact, Brenner said the community is great offering donations and services.

fee, and parents are asked to help, but he said rewards for the athlete are evident.
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Brenner said the program, which also offers sessions in tennis, golf and soccer, gives them individual attention.

"The athletes are more capable.What used to confuse them like drills, now they can do it," he said.

Brenner knows first-hand some of the needs of mentally or physically challenged people.
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Brenner says physical activity is important, and maybe even more so for these people.
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So Brenner wanted to give something to the community he now lives in.
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It was the Heckmans first time to the gym and Jackie came home with a flyer from her school, Fort Mill Middle.

"I was so excited about it.It's right in the community.It's such a blessing," she said, explaining they moved to the area a year ago from Maryland where she had to seek programs like this or drive into Washington, D.C.

"Finally, after all these years, to have something come to you is an absolute miracle," she said."We're ready to have fun."

Jackie and Ryan will be bowling in the Special Olympics Feb. 2 in Rock Hill, with participation through their schools.
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Brian Haynes, 29, and his wife, Stephanie, 26, of Charlotte have been volunteering for about a year after being approached by Brenner after meeting at the Gold Hill YMCA.