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Special Olympics Polk County is looking for community involvement in a pair of upcoming events.

The 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina Equestrian Tournament will be held September 20-22 at Tryon International Equestrian Center. Over 100 adults and children with intellectual disabilities from across the state will compete in showmanship, dressage, western riding, gymkhana races, equitation, and working trails.

To support the athletes, more than 200 volunteers are needed for the weekend competition, which is free and open to the public. Volunteers can sign up through the Special Olympics North Carolina website by visiting specialolympicsnorthcarolina.volunteerlocal.com.

Polk County High School teacher and coach David Minnich will participate in a unique fundraising event on Labor Day, September 2, to benefit the Special Olympics.

Minnich will be part of a group participating in the Over The Edge fundraiser, an event in which participants rappel down 12 stories from the Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel.

Minnich has set a goal of $1,000 for his effort in the fundraiser. Backers can support Minnich via an online donation by visiting give.overtheedge.events.