Team Minot's own wins state-wide award Published Dec. 10, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Apryl Hall Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot Air Force Base's 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron chief of readiness was awarded the Special Olympics Outstanding State Volunteer Award at the Special Olympics North Dakota State Awards Banquet in Fargo, N.D., Nov. 16, 2013. Janet Wing began volunteering for the Special Olympics in 1995 while she was an active duty member of the Air Force. She was immediately hooked on how much she enjoyed helping, she said. It became much more to her than a bullet on her Enlisted Personnel Report. "Once you get involved, it just grows," said Wing. "I've done more and more every year." It has now been more than 18 years since Wing first volunteered. Wing gets involved in any area she can, from recruiting volunteers, to feeding the athletes, or her personal favorite, organizing the opening ceremonies. "Opening ceremonies are the best!" said Wing. "The kid runs down with the torch, and it's just the coolest thing to see." The State Basketball Tournament takes place in Minot each year, and Wing is heavily relied on to plan the event, she said. Although the tournament is Minot's biggest Special Olympics event currently, the process of building a bigger and better area program is well underway, with talks of hosting more outdoor events in the spring. "You're going to see a lot more involvement," said Wing. "The people are so passionate about it that you can't help but be passionate with them." When Wing received the letter that she was nominated for the Special Olympics Outstanding State Volunteer Award, she made sure to make the trip to Fargo for the awards ceremony. It was the second time she had received a nomination for the award, and she was unable to attend the ceremony for her previous nomination. While at the ceremony, Wing sat next to an athlete. Upon talking, she discovered that the athlete's mother was up for the same award as her. When Wing's name was announced as the winner, the athlete was quite surprised, said Wing. "She said you must do so much if you beat my mom!" said Wing. "Then she just kept hugging me, it was so awesome." Although Wing was excited to win the award, it is not what motivates her to continue working with the Special Olympics, she said. Wing has volunteered for 18 years, not for personal gain, but for the benefit of others. "I do it for the moment when an athlete runs up and hugs you," said Wing. "They remember you, they know you, and that makes for great memories." Wing plans to volunteer for the Special Olympics in the future, she said. When asked how long she plans to continue working with them, her response was right to the point. "Forever," she said.