Staff writer
The fifth annual Daddy Olympics attracted 30 men and 44 children from all five county school districts to Marion Sports and Aquatic Center on Saturday.
Parents as Teachers coordinator Lori Soo Hoo helped organize the event.
The event provided sports-based play for dads, grandpas, uncles, and children ages birth to 5, Soo Hoo said.
“Our hope is that the event will not only create fun memories but also encourage gross motor play in the home environment, connect dads to other dads in the community,” she said. “We are also grateful to use USD 408 for the use of the beautiful aquatic center.”
Soo Hoo said Parents as Teacher pooled resources with Head Start, Safe Kids, the Health Department, and Families and Communities Together to fund the event.
Activities included swimming, bowling, a colorful ball pit, slides, and basketball to name a few.
The event also provided an additional avenue for child safety information.
Safe Kids Marion County coordinator Sondra Mayfield had a booth set up to inform adults about ways to help keep their children safe.
In addition to free bicycle helmets, she provided pamphlets on safe swimming, biking, and spoke with parents about how small coin-sized batteries found in many toys and electronic devices can be choking hazards to children.