“If I can not win let me at least be brave in making the attempt.”

A worthy motto for all of us, but especially for the 130 athletes who participated in this year’s Winter Special Olympic Games at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, high atop the Continental Divide where Montana and Idaho meet.

For 32 years these Special Olympic Winter games have been held at “Powder Mountain”, which operates under a Special Use Permit by the Bitterroot National Forest on both the Bitterroot and Salmon National Forests. And for the last 25 years, Trapper Creek Job Corps and Smokey Bear have been there together.

Randy Hodgson, the chief organizer, visionary and impassioned engine behind this always growing, always successful event; credits the many returning volunteers with the events success. From a handful of volunteers in the early days to about 125 volunteers today, the games would not be what they are without many hands making light work of this terrific undertaking.

Jeff Menk, long time Bitterroot NF/Job Corps employee, remembers fondly the early days, the struggles, challenges and all of the good memories he’s banked in 27 years of participating.

Over these years, more than 350 Job Corps students have laid hands to this good work and have had their hearts changed in the process. “So many students have returned from these games ‘different’, they were changed by the experience and in a very good way!”, said Menk.

Just as the Olympic torch changes hands from athlete to athlete, this year, Mr. Menk, has passed the torch to another employee, Dan Gager. Dan is no stranger to these games having been fully involved for the last 13 years and isn’t slowing down.

While the staff age and shift responsibilities, the students never do. Every year produces a new group of student volunteers. And that’s a good thing because building a fun, exciting and safe inner-tube course for these special athletes is no easy task. These Job Corps youth make it look easy and sometimes-in very difficult conditions, year after year after year, Job Corps students have contributed more than 10,000 hours of heart-warming winter service.

If they’re not building, operating and maintaining the tube-run, they are donning the coveted Smokey Bear suit. Smokey Bear continues to be an integral part of the festivities.

“SMOKEY! SMOKEEEEEY!” can be heard above the noise of the crowd and the blowing snow as Smokey’s biggest fan, Kyle Fortner, waves and yells, to get Smokey’s attention, a hug and a photo.

Non-stop, from young and old, Smokey is showered with smiles, hugs and friendly-fuzzy kisses on his big Bear cheeks.

“Seeing Trapper Creek Job Corps associated with an event like this makes me proud!” said one Bitterroot NF/Job Corps employee.

Serving. Giving. Helping. Contributing. This event is just one more way that Job Corps staff and students work to make their community a better place to live.

And while they don’t do it for the recognition, the reward is all the sweeter knowing their effort and commitment is appreciated.

Matt Glumac, an athlete in the games appreciates what the adults do, “Well it makes me happy inside to see disabled people doing their best. And it shows you, that even though you’re disabled you can still do great things.”

“I’m very proud of them for coming up to volunteer. It just wouldn’t be possible without them.”