KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Jason Ille's job affords him the opportunity to be a part of "triumph over adversity" and all the smiles that go with it.
"I have the luckiest job in the world," said Ille, who is the coordinator for the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern's Special Olympics. "I meet with people who have had hard lives and yet are so joyful. It helps me connect with the strongest part of myself."
Special Olympics is an international program of an athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
It comes to the Kaiserslautern military community each year courtesy of the garrison and German Police Academy.
The garrison's 27th Special Olympics Spring Games will happen May 12 at the German Police Academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn.
German and American military members, civilians and family members in Kaiserslautern and in surrounding communities also can feel connected and see all those smiles by volunteering at this year's Special Olympics.
"Without our amazing volunteers and their incredible energy, commitment and enthusiasm, the (USAG) Kaiserslautern Special Olympics wouldn't be possible," said Ellen Summey, the garrison Army Community Service's Army Volunteer Corps coordinator.
Close to 2,000 volunteers are needed to set up, tear down, serve food, register athletes, and operate the competitive and non-competitive games, Ille said.
The bulk of that number - 1,300 to 1,500 - volunteers will be needed as a buddy or personal cheerleader for an athlete.
Buddies are paired with athletes and help them throughout the day going to events and lunch.
At least 800 athletes will be having fun, developing skills and building self-esteem at this year's Special Olympics, Ille said.
With this number of athletes - many traveling great distances - spectators are also needed at this year's games.
"With about 38 schools represented throughout Europe, we have many athletes who will not be able to have their friends and families there to cheer them on," said Ille, who added every year organizers made the same appeal for more spectators.
"When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless, but when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better," he said.
Volunteers must be registered with Army Community Service to help out with the garrison's Special Olympics, said Michelle Thomas, the garrison's ACS director. To learn how and what forms to fill out, future Special Olympic volunteers can call Summey at DSN 493-4232, civ. 0631-3406-4232, or the garrison ACS Outreach Coordinator Selinda Torbert at DSN 493-4062, civ. 0631-3406-4062.
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