To celebrate March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Sedona-Oak Creek School District and Sedona police officers Catherine Beers and Mike Lucas are inviting students, staff and the community to participate in the “Minute That Matters” campaign running from Monday, March 10, through Friday, March 14.

The initiative encourages donations of spare change to support the unified Special Olympics teams at both campuses.

“One-hundred percent of the money raised during the week of the ‘Minute That Matters’ will go directly back to the participating schools to support Special Olympics local activities, helping ensure that our students with disabilities have access to inclusive sports and meaningful athletic opportunities perpetually throughout the year,” Beers said.

Each day, during a designated minute, classrooms will collect coin donations from students and teachers, with the proceeds benefiting their school’s Unified Special Olympics team, which brings together athletes with and without disabilities to compete throughout the year.

Beers said the average annual cost of the program was around $500 per athlete.

“Our student council is leading this effort and will use morning announcements to share daily fundraising totals by grade level,” West Sedona School Principal Alisa Stieg said. “Teachers will collect loose change each day, and student council members will count it at the end of the day. The class that collects the most will win a popsicle party.”

At Sedona Red Rock High School, students will compete by grade level during their lunch periods, while West Sedona School students will participate during morning announcements. School staff members can participate by donating to a class or grade level of their choice.

Community members who wish to contribute can contact Beers or Lucas for donation drop-off options or make a donation at the SPD front desk.

“I just hope that [the students] understand that no matter how much they donate, as small as it is, once collectively, everybody participates together, that they can make an impactful difference,” Beers said.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will return to Sedona on Friday, April 11, when participants will walk and wheel to support the cause.

For more information, contact Lucas or Beers at MLucas@sedonaaz.gov or CBeers@sedonaaz.gov.