The NHS club at Coral Springs Charter hosts a wonderful event called Parkland Buddy Sports. Every week, student members can participate to earn a credit while also making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young adults with special needs. Participants are paired with a buddy and get to engage in a variety of fun activities like soccer, basketball, pickleball, and running, helping to ensure a positive and inclusive experience for everyone involved. All services are free to families of special needs participants, which is made possible by donations and grants.
The non-profit event provides peer-to-peer sports programming every weekend during the school year, featuring a variety of sports and a “no limits approach” that emphasizes fun, friendship and empowerment.
“Parkland Buddy Sports gives the buddies a chance to interact with volunteers and staff. I think they really enjoy it because they already feel like they are outcasts and now that we are able to partner up with them and play different sports with them, it makes them happy and makes them feel special in their own ways.” Said Parkland Buddy Sports Advisor, Senior Riley Guerra. “Everytime I go and my buddy runs up to me, they always have the biggest smile on their face.”
Along with the opportunity to help individuals with special needs, volunteers gain valuable experience in patience and inclusivity while helping to foster a supportive community. The skills these volunteers learn while participating in this event are crucial to their life in the long run, and allows them to possess traits that will help them grow and develop as a person.
“It is good for the volunteers to understand that all of these kids have challenges. Working with these individuals, whether they are going through mental or physical challenges, demonstrates to volunteers the importance of patience and understanding, which is a joy for me and for the buddies, as it shows they care.” Said NHS Advisor, Charles Spence.
The dedication of the Coral Springs Charter NHS members and the commitment of Parkland Buddy Sports create a powerful win-win: a supportive, active environment for young adults and children with special needs and a valuable lesson in empathy, patience, and community-building for the student volunteers. Ultimately, the program is much more than just weekend sports; it's a great display of human connection that fosters genuine friendships and creates a truly inclusive community where every participant feels valued, celebrated, and cared for.
