The 54th Lynn Special Needs Games were held on May 2 at Manning Field, sponsored by the Lynn Rotary Club and Reading Cooperative Bank. The Special Needs Games provide adaptive and inclusive sports and recreational activities for Lynn students. More than 460 students from 44 Lynn Public Schools classrooms participated, supported by more than 125 teachers and paraprofessionals and 100 volunteers from: Lynn Tech special education department and Skills USA program, Lynn English ROTC, Lynn Rotary Club, Reading Cooperative Bank, Lynn Fire Department and Lynn Police Department.

Prior to the official start, the students passed through a Lane of Honor consisting of Rotarians, Reading Cooperative Bank volunteers, Lynn Police, elected officials, school district officials, Lynn Fire and others. Kerry Ranieri, vice president of Community Banking & Development Officer, Reading Cooperative Bank, started the games with a shout out of “Let the games begin.” 

During the games a record 468 students tested their skills at a wide variety of activities, including: bounce houses, slides, throwing games, bowling games, bike-riding, games of skill, and others. Lynn Tech students helped run the game stations. After the Special Needs Games, all students were given official medals. For nourishment during and after the games, members of the Lynn Fire Department spent the morning cooking burgers and hot dogs for students and volunteers.