- April 23, 2024
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Anna Maria Filannino has been championing the cause of men, women and children with special needs for 44 years.
She began in New York as a teacher, where she spent 26 years. At 71, Filannino is retired. Upon reflecting on that, Filannino stopped herself.
“Thank God I’m retired now,” Filannino said. “Well, I thought I was retired.”
As Volusia County Special Olympics’ family manager and sole coach, she creates the happiness in the lives of people who need it the most.
Filannino is responsible for getting every athlete to each of their competitions in three 12-passenger vans. As family manager, she works not only in sports, but really gets involved in what the athletes want to do.
A lot of the people wanted to start attending church with Filannino, and on Sunday many of the athletes went straight from church to the organization’s Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser at Sunshine Bowling Center in DeLand.
The group raised around $1,000 in order to keep up with expenses such as uniforms, lodging and travel.
Athletes were saying that bowling was the highlight of their day. Many athletes earned blue ribbons for achieving high scores, and Filannino couldn’t have been happier.
“I’ve been very blessed in my life. I have beautiful children and grandchildren, and this is what we’re all passionate about. The more that we’re out here and the more people know about us the more support we’ll generate,” Filannino said.
I was lucky enough to cover an event with Special Olympics at the Pro Bowl, and now have experienced Special Olympics in Volusia County.
It’s one of my goals in life to create my own foundation for people with physical and mental disabilities. I know several people who struggle and are unable to live their lives the way that I or many of my friends and family do.
Thankfully, Port Orange and all of Volusia County is on board. Filannino says that over 50 businesses on Dunlawton Avenue and throughout town have donated endless amounts food and equipment for the athletes at their many events.
“There are blind athletes, some are in wheelchairs and many don’t get many opportunities to socialize because it’s not just the sports, they need that camaraderie,” Filannino said. “We locate families, and as a family manager, if there’s a problem or it comes to my attention, we work with all aspects of our families and their lives.”
Notice how she said “our families.”
Despite what someone is born with or what they have to overcome, Special Olympics gives everyone a reason to smile, and even more importantly, a reason to feel like they’re part of a family that will always support them.
