PELHAM – Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge 1738 donated $1,000 to Pelham City Schools’ Special Olympics program on Feb. 23.

The check was presented at Oak Mountain Lanes during the district’s Special Olympics bowling games. PCS partnered with Alabaster City Schools to host the event. About 40 PCS students participated.

Holli Hicks, director of exceptional education, said the donation will be used to help host future games. The program will have track and field games on March 22 at Pelham High School.

“We are so grateful for the Cahaba Valley Elks and to all of our teachers, aides and parents who help make the Special Olympics possible,” Hicks said. “It’s a team effort all the way down to our transportation department that makes sure our kids get to where they need to be safely.”

Hick said she especially wanted to recognize Pelham Park Middle School special education teacher Jessica Brown who is the district’s Special Olympics coordinator and PPMS special education teacher Joni Despot who assists Brown.

“I can’t say enough good things about our staff,” Hicks said. “Our program has a lot of support, even from the mayor, city employees and the City Council, and it means a lot to our kids.”