• Posted: November 4, 2022
• Gene Kent, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, Maureen Mikulski, McWilliams Electric Company, Special Olympics Construction Team Picnic, Special Olympics Illinois

 

Few things are better than enjoying a hotdog and a bag of chips while playing outdoor games on a beautiful Saturday—few things except, maybe, hosting a community-based fundraiser while doing it. That’s the thinking behind the annual McWilliams Electric Company Special Olympics Construction Team Picnic.

“We invite all of the athletes and their families to attend, and the purpose of the picnic is to raise money to send the athletes to play in the Special Olympic Games,” said Vice President & CFO of McWilliams Electric Company Maureen Mikulski, who participates in the picnic each year along with 120 athletes, 60 volunteers and dozens of families. “I know that every participant looks forward to this day all year long, and I’m so happy and thankful that we’re able to do it.”

While the day is meant to be a celebration of the athletes, setting it up takes considerable time and effort — especially because McWilliams Electric lost their original hosting site several years ago. Fortunately, the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) stepped up to provide the venue of the highly-anticipated event.

“McWilliams Electric came to us and requested to use our parking lot and facility,” said Gene Kent, Director at IN-Tech. “When anybody comes to the unionized electrical industry with an opportunity to help their participants and their organization in providing a fun, enjoyable day, we’re more than willing to help them in that.”

For many, the change in location has been an improvement over the original site. “For the last two years, we’ve been providing this picnic at the IN-Tech facility, which has been fantastic,” said Patty Welsh, Special Olympics Illinois director — Region E. “This has been the best facility we’ve been able to use, inside and out.”

The athletes, too, are happy to make use of the new area, which is large enough to accommodate food tents, fundraising stalls, picnic spaces and plenty of games. “It’s awesome to see the athletes, the partners and the countless volunteers come out to play games and have a good time,” said Welsh.

“It’s great to experience camaraderie and fun on this beautiful Saturday, and we’re happy to be a part of it,” added Kent, who intends to continue offering the IN-Tech facility as a space for the fundraiser in years to come.

That’s good news — especially for Mikulski, whose efforts have led to record-setting fundraiser donations in recent years. “I’m extremely satisfied each year when we can surpass the fundraising goal and make a difference in people’s lives,” said Mikulski.