Athletes and delegates from around the world gathered to the Boise, Idaho, area to compete in the 2009 Special Olympic Winter Games Feb. 7-11. Nearly 100 countries were represented at the 2009 games, bringing many different cultures and languages to the Boise area and opportunities for members to serve.

"It's been a very rich experience," said Craig Rasmussen, a local member involved in the volunteer efforts. "The volunteers had some really great, heartfelt experiences."

With the games held in Idaho this year, Church members volunteered their homes, time and efforts to help with events.

Church members from 34 stakes across the state of Idaho participated in the host town program, which included dinners, hosting and supporting athletes in their events. Some athletes and delegates from Russia stayed in Salt Lake City en route to Idaho, enjoying some of the sites and culture of Salt Lake City.

"The host town program is where the athletes stay in the homes with people in the communities to give them a chance to acclimate to the time changes and give the guests a cultural experience," said Brother Rasmussen. "It turned out to be very positive, and people had great experiences with the interaction."

Athletes and delegates arrived four days before the opening ceremonies to spend time in the communities and experience the Idaho culture with their host families. Banquets, dinners, programs and events were organized to welcome the athletes before they started competition.

Photo by M. J. Ray Photography

Devin Walker, center, stands between two athletes from Switzerland participating in the Special Olympic Winter Games held Feb. 7-11 in Boise, Idaho. Devin organized an evening of events to earn his Eagle Scout Award.

The Special Olympic Games began in 1968, and are held at a different location every four years to showcase the talents and athletic skills of people with intellectual disabilities. Some of the events of the games included skiing, figure skating, speed skating and snowboarding. The events were held in Boise, McCall and Sun Valley, Idaho.

Devin Walker, a 15-year-old from the Middleton 4th Ward, Middleton Idaho Stake, who is deaf, was able to earn his Eagle Scout award by organizing a three-hour program for athletes and delegates in town for the games. He did most of the organizing through e-mail.

"I enjoyed seeing the Special Olympians having so much fun with people from the U.S.," Devin conveyed through an e-mail. "I hope they remember the fun and spiritual feelings in their hearts. I will never forget the spiritual feelings in my heart. I loved serving others with special needs."

Included in the presentation was a welcome from the mayor, a professional roper, clogging performances, a fiddle group, local high school performers and a dance for the athletes and community members. It gave the athletes a chance to experience the culture of Idaho.

"To be with all of the special Olympians from around the world made you feel like you were in such a special place," said Caralee Walker, Devin's mother. "The Special Olympians don't have any pretenses like we do and have no other motive than to just love and be happy."

The Walker family was able to house two athletes in their home from Switzerland. Originally, they were scheduled to house athletes from Uganda, but at the last minute the Uganda athletes couldn't come, changing their assignment to the Swiss team. Because of missionary service to Southern Switzerland and Italy, Laren Walker, Devin's father, was able to communicate with the athletes in their language.

"It was such a tender mercy," said Sister Walker. "Some of the athletes were so afraid to come, and then when Laren started speaking Italian, they were so happy. It was neat to look at what the Church has done with all of these languages and to see how a person from Boise, Idaho, can speak Italian."

Photo by M. J. Ray Photography

Athletes and delegates spent time with locals for a few days prior to the games to experience the Idaho culture.

But not all of the athletes and delegates spoke the language of their host families. Yet despite the language differences, communication was possible and friendships were formed.

"It was just such a neat thing to communicate by spirit, because we couldn't speak the same language," said Rochelle McCurdy, a host from the Fruitland 1st Ward, Ontario Oregon Stake. "It was probably one of our neatest experiences I've ever had, sharing such a special time and still having a language barrier."

Overall, it was a great experience for all who participated.

"We went there thinking we were going to host [the athletes], and we walked away getting more out of this than they did," said Brother Rasmussen. "A lot of families participated and had a great experience."

mholman@desnews.com