ESPN employees among 30 Disney VoluntEARS at 2015 Special Olympics

On July 25, the Special Olympics World Games began in Los Angeles. ESPN, the official media partner for the World Games, has multi-platform coverage of the event through Aug. 2.

Disney, a Founding Champion and Sponsor of the Games, furthered its support through its second Disney VoluntEARS Global Service Project. Eight ESPN employees are among the 30 Disney VoluntEARS, representing 15 countries, selected via an application process to assist with the Special Olympics.

Front Row asked Bristol-based employees Scott Pentoney, associate director of Media Technologies; Jennifer Leimbach, manager in Management Operations; and David Kelly, a senior manager in Finance, to write about what this opportunity means to them. Here are thoughts Pentoney, Leimbach and Kelly shared before venturing to Los Angeles:

Scott Pentoney

The world is witnessing the Special Olympics like never before – through the storytelling of ESPN – and I can’t believe I’m witnessing it, and assisting in it, first-hand. What an incredible honor!

2015 will be a transformative year for our company and its relationship with our fans. I don’t know if I’m more excited to see our coverage or to participate in the entire [Global Service Project] GSP volunteer experience! Appropriately enough, the first day of competition, Sunday, July 26th, also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – a law in the U.S. which has undoubtedly affected every one of our U.S. competitors.

This experience is about as personal as something could get for me. I have family members – a son with Down syndrome and a cousin with intellectual disabilities – who participate in Special Olympics and live life by its oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

We’ve taken that oath and used it – using the term “win” loosely – in our daily, non-sporting tasks. It’s not just a “sometimes” thing, for us.

It’s an “every day” thing. Every day we give it our best “attempt.” We don’t always “win,” but we try to be brave, give it our all, and not be discouraged. As a result, we often find joy and perspective.

And if work wasn’t personal enough, I managed to make it more.

I have had the privilege to work with fantastic colleagues as the Events Chair on the ESPN ENABLED (ESPN’s disability-focused employee resource group or ERG) leadership team. Two past leaders, Jen Leimbach and Dave Kelly, are the only other Bristol-based reps elected to participate in the Disney VoluntEARS GSP.

Dave is a past Team ESPN Volunteer of the Year. I’m so proud of this ERG, what it stands for, what we’ve accomplished, and what we will continue to accomplish. These dedicated and caring individuals know the importance of acceptance and the benefits of inclusion.

Our company will be in many good hands during these World Games. I’m especially proud to be alongside these two sets as we represent and assist.

Jennifer Leimbach

I cannot put into words how excited I am to have been chosen as one of the 30 Global Service Project participants. It is a great opportunity to show my support for the athletes and commitment to the mission of the Special Olympics. I love volunteering for the Special Olympics Summer Games in Connecticut, and can only imagine that scaled a thousand percent.

To make sure I can keep up and show support of the athletes, I have been training like one, running the high school track and hitting the gym, counting each day down the last week in a different volunteer shirt collected over the years. It’s been fun and hopefully it’s getting friends excited to watch the games from wherever they are. I really hope these athletes feel our support. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will be one for the record books.

David Kelly

I am honored to represent Disney and ESPN on the 2015 Global Service Project at the Special Olympics World Games. Since joining the company more than 16 years ago, I have been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion. Over the past decade I have been a champion for Team ESPN and have volunteered at many Special Olympic events. I believe there is no greater example of the benefits of inclusion and sport than with Special Olympics.

I’m excited to meet Disney colleagues from around the world as we participate as a group. So far I’ve felt the passion from the GSP team members in their messages and planning and it seems one thing in common with most is their love for sweets.

There will be a lot of candy from around the world shared among the group. We have a very full agenda for the week but are looking forward most to volunteering at the basketball venue at USC and to witnessing the Opening Ceremonies production at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. I can’t wait to meet the athletes, coaches, family, and fans from around the world and share in this great experience. Thanks to ESPN for its commitment to this event and for everyone’s support.