Members of Alpha Sigma Alpha took to the Cherry Bowl, 7171 Cherryvale N. Boulevard, Rockford, for the Illinois State qualifying tournament for the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics is a global movement which offers athletic training and competition opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities, according to their official website. Year-round, the organization offers over 30 Olympic-style team and individual sports for athletes with disabilities.

“Everything we raise from Do It to the Crowd goes toward the Special Olympics, and then we come for the day and help out,” senior Biology major Jessica Gall, who is also a member of ASA, said. “Participants already had a qualifying tournament to participate, and today is for them to qualify for state, so it’s really exciting.”

The Special Olympics is one of ASA’s national philanthropic partners, and the members of ASA raise money for the event with their Do It to the Crowd dance competition which takes place in April. Greek sororities and fraternities participate in the “Do It to the Crowd” dance competition, and alumni of Alpha Sigma Alpha judge the performances.

After checking in and participating in a short training session, members of ASA took to the lanes to help the athletes.

“We coordinate the games, make sure everyone is present, make sure everyone is bowling at the right times and bowling the right frames,” ASA member Payton Marmoll, a senior operations management and informations systems major, said. “We get to help out and just make sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be.”

The on-site volunteer work allows members of ASA not only to raise money for the organization, but also to get first-hand experience working with the athletes. By attending the tournament, members of ASA can see the process through to the end and involve themselves with the Special Olympics on a more personal level.

“It’s cool, because it’s not like we just donate money and then don’t know what happens after that,” said Gall. “It’s nice to be here and have a direct impact on the event, because we can tell that the smallest things help out.”