Riedel Foundation awards $4,000 grant to Special Olympics Missouri for annual track meet

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Riedel Foundation recently awarded a $4,000 grant to Special Olympics Missouri supporting its annual track and field meet.

This year’s event will welcome an estimated 156 competitors. Eighty percent of the students are from the Hannibal School District. Mississippi Valley State School, Palmyra, Ralls County, Marion County R-II and North Shelby will also participate this year.

Construction at the Hannibal track has forced this year’s event to be held in Palmyra on April 28.

The track and field meet, featuring running, jumping and throwing competitions, is a platform where athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities showcase their skills, determination and courage.

The Riedel grant will cover essential costs, including medals to celebrate athlete achievements, volunteer shirts to enhance visibility and coordination and transportation of sports equipment and staff.