subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
email this story   E-mail this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Globe/T. Rob Brown Pittsburg Mayor Rudy Draper (left) reads a proclamation on Thursday afternoon in honor of John Lair, local program director with Special Olympics - New Hope Services. Lair has been selected as one of 30 “All Stars Among Us” and will represent the Kansas City Royals at All-Star Game activities next week in St. Louis.

Published July 10, 2009 12:45 am - PITTSBURG, Kan. — Lifelong Pittsburg resident John Lair has volunteered 850 hours in the past year with Special Olympics — that’s the equivalent of 106 eight-hour workdays.
Doing so earned him the title of one of 30 “All Stars Among Us,” awarded by Major League Baseball and People Magazine last week in a national effort to recognize community volunteerism.


Lair named 'All Star Among Us' by MLB



By Andra Bryan Stefanoni

sports@joplinglobe.com

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Lifelong Pittsburg resident John Lair has volunteered 850 hours in the past year with Special Olympics — that’s the equivalent of 106 eight-hour workdays.

Doing so earned him the title of one of 30 “All Stars Among Us,” awarded by Major League Baseball and People Magazine last week in a national effort to recognize community volunteerism.

On Thursday afternoon, city administrators, city commissioners, former teachers and coaches, friends, family, and Special Olympians gathered at New Hope Services to celebrate.

Mayor Rudy Draper read a proclamation designating the day as “All Star John Lair Day” in Pittsburg, adding that the next four days will be “all about John” as the community prepares to send him off to Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis.

There, Lair will meet President Obama, baseball commissioner Bud Selig, several Hall of Fame players, and American and National League players.

According to Lair, 750,000 people were nominated, which was paired down to 400, and then 90. Each of the 30 finalists represent one of the 30 major league baseball teams. Lair, who was nominated by a former athlete he coached at the 2006 Special Olympics National Games, represents the Kansas City Royals.

It’s all a dream come true for Lair, who grew up an athlete with his father as his coach.

“I played on all star teams and was in the J.L. Hutchinson League until I was 17 or 18 years old,” he said. “I was a huge baseball fan and had all that kind of stuff in my room.”

Fifteen years ago, a friend asked Lair to pitch in with a Special Olympics event for which they were short volunteers.

“I agreed, and fell in love with it,” Lair said.

In 2001, he started his own Special Olympics team, which has grown to what authorities say is the best in Kansas. He has coached three World Champion Olympians, and prepping athletes and coordinating events has become his “outside job.”

His paying job for the past 10 years has been as program director for New Hope Services, a subsidiary of Medicalodge, Inc., that is based in Pittsburg and serves clients with special needs.

“Part of what I love about Special Olympics is being part of a pure sport. They don’t care if they win or lose, they just want to participate and meet new friends. It’s not about money or endorsements, it’s smiles, happiness, and pride,” Lair said.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

HIRING HAIR STYLIST
NOW HIRING HAIR STYLIST. Fun and energetic salon. 417-845-0555, Tanya....>MORE

CREDIT ANALYST/LOAN REVIEW
Credit ANALYST/LOAN REVIEW Commercial banking experience required. Send resumes to 3223 Main.Joplin 64804...>MORE

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE

MARS PET CARE

in Miami Ok. is now accepting applications for a Lead A position, on 2nd or 3rd shift. The position requires a hi
...>MORE

SALES
NYSE and Co., opening a new division. Will train. Looking for full-time or part-time. Call Mike, (417)448-4732....>MORE

ATTENTION OWNER OPERATORS
we are now leasing on trucks. Call Susan at 888-379-9432 ext 102 for details. ...>MORE

PHONE SALES
Now hiring part time for data entry and phone sales. 20 hour/week. Apply in person at 4710 E 32nd Street. Joplin....>MORE

TRUCK BROKERS
TRUCK BROKERS LANGE LOGISTICS, INC., a 3PL company seeks Account Managers in Joplin. Openings also in Dallas, Nashville ...>MORE

SEEKING MICROSOFT SYSTEMS ANALYST
Seeking Microsoft Systems Analyst. Candidate will assist with presales consulting, primary installation and support of W...>MORE

3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

2001 FORD WINDSTAR
Super sharp, loaded, cold air front and rear, extra clean, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1986 FORD MUSTANG GT
Convertible, 5 speed, 112,000 miles, $3800. 417-439-1707 or 417-439-7901...>MORE

2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
LS, 4X4, 80,000 miles, priced to sell, $9,000 or best offer. 417-529-1957....>MORE

1999 FORD F350
crew cab, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, white, Astro top, best offer. 434-3995...>MORE

2005 HONDA PILOT EXL-DVD
4 door, 4x4, red with tan leather, 8 passenger, 89,000 miles, new tires, $14,500. (918)961-8995....>MORE

1990 FREIGHLINER CAB OVER
set back axle, 400 Cummins, 9 speed over drive, flat top, big sleeper, 10 near new tires, new transmission, new brakes a...>MORE

TOYOTA, 2009 CAMRY LE,
excellent conditon, black/tan, 29,500 miles, bought from Fletcher, warranty, $18,900. 417-793-1613...>MORE

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, automatic, cold air, CD, extra nice, $2400. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2007 NISSAN MURANO
All wheel drive, 47,000 miles, leather, excellent condition, received a company car and do not need extra vehicle. $17,9...>MORE

1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY
127,000 miles, nice and clean, $3420. 529-2207....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

OPEN HOUSE 2-4 P.M.
3 br, 2 ba, 2-car gar., 1660 sq. ft. with lots of amenities, 2228 W. 29th. $129,900. 417-825-0557....>MORE

BY OWNER: 3 BR, 2 BA
1880 sq. ft., Cedar Ridge subdivision $189,900 417-621-5098...>MORE

BY OWNER REDUCED PRICE!
3 br, 2 ba, 1840 sq. ft., remodeled, all new interior, new roof, $79,900. 436 N. Wall, Joplin. 240-432-8336....>MORE

3 BR, 7 YEAR OLD
like new, all electric, 10 minutes to Neosho, 20 minutes to Joplin. No Smoking, No Pets, $700 Month, $350 Deposit. (417)...>MORE

DEERFIELD ESTATES
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

2 BR CENTRAL HEAT/AIR,
gar, $475/$300 appliances 4117 S Pennsylvania 417-389-6737...>MORE

819 A STREET
Charming 2 story, 2 bedroom home with a lot of character. Hardwood floors, huge screened porch, central heat and air, co...>MORE

OPEN SATURDAY 9 A.M.-4 P.M.
Sunday 1-4 p.m. 3 br on 2 lots, central heat/air, vinyl siding/windows. See to appreciate. $29,900. 823 S. Sergeant. (91...>MORE

HISTORICAL ROCK FILLING STATION

on Route 66 with lots of updates This solid old building has 1200 sq. ft. on 100x100 lot, on Main Street of Carter
...>MORE

GROVE, GRAND LAKE, OK.

Beautiful 2-story 2-kitchen Lake Home with Million $$$ lakefront. Stunning Commercial Building for restaurant or o
...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE

COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE

COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE

2 CREMATION NICHES
2 CREMATION NICHES Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, moving must sell quick. Call Carolyn, (417)624-3017....>MORE

14 WEEK-10 WEEK OLD MORKIE
males, $200. Papillion females, $200. 417-548-2433....>MORE

2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE

TWO LIVING ESTATE SALES, ONE SITE

Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
28245 Fir Road, Carl Junction, MO.
Follow signs.
Downsizing
...>MORE

CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE

1950S CAVALIER COKE MACHINE
in working order, $350. (417)782-2751....>MORE

KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition