It is with great personal sadness that we must announce the dissolution of the Hollister Free Wheelers power (wheelchair) soccer program and the nonprofit that has supported them for nearly 20 years, Specialized Hollister Activities and Recreation Program (known to most as S.H.A.R.P.).
Since it began, S.H.A.R.P. financially supported over half a dozen recreational programs aimed at bringing everyday leisure opportunities to people with disabilities. These were all conducted as contracted programs with the Hollister Recreation Division. The most recent and arguably the most notable has been the sport of power soccer, the only team sport currently available to individuals in power wheelchairs.Â
The Hollister Free Wheelers program has been indeed the farthest-reaching and most successful of all the activities offered by Don and Susan Jones, part of the original founders and long-term caretakers of S.H.A.R.P. and the resulting programs.
Since the program began in 1997, Don (as the head coach) helped develop more than 30 very talented and motivated individuals into well-rounded athletes. Under his leadership, the teams went on to win over a dozen trophy place finishes, including six national championships. Don was also part of a small group of coaches from around the world who joined together more than 10 years ago to create the set of rules now being used internationally. Susan, as the team manager, coordinated practice schedules and local games, as well as all fundraising events.Â
Other key players in the creation of this story were Gifford Swanson, who helped make the dream of starting a power soccer team in Hollister a reality, and Lori Hallett, who from the beginning took on the role of S.H.A.R.P. treasurer, tracking and documenting all of the financial activities. Over a dozen other individuals volunteered their time as board members, assistant coaches, and scorekeepers.Â
With the help of countless numbers of other friends, family members, volunteers, and supportive community individuals and businesses, S.H.A.R.P. was able to raise more than $300,000 in just over 19 years to support a variety of recreational opportunities for community individuals with physical and/or mental challenges. With no ongoing funding source, these fundraising efforts were vital to those programs. All aspects of conducting these programs were financed this way. For the Hollister Free Wheelers, for example, the money was spent on everything from gym floor tape to airline tickets for out-of-state tournaments.
The decision to discontinue offering power soccer was a difficult one and not one that was made lightly. As several existing team members moved on to meaningful career and personal life changes, recruitment for new athletes slowed down. The fewer than a handful of members left to play were not enough to field a competitive team. We carried the program for one full year knowing that we could not be involved in any games or tournaments for that season due to the low registration. The use of available gym space in the area also became more and more competitive as the supply struggled to keep up with the demand, making it increasingly difficult to justify the use of a facility with such low attendance. Lastly, with approximately 300 nonprofits in the immediate area, previously successful fundraising events gradually became ineffective.
After mor than a year of trying to revitalize the program, it became obvious that we were just not going to be able to keep the program afloat and that this was the end of an era.
The work done through this program has made a difference in the lives of many others. The accomplishments can never be taken away from those involved. We have opened opportunities to individuals who may not have otherwise had those chances, and we have opened the minds of many who would not have otherwise seen the potential in our members. We feel blessed and are very honored to have had the chance to be a part of this amazing group of individuals, and although we remain fans of the sport, we will miss being a part of the power soccer community in this intimate and meaningful way.
We wish to thank everyone who ever attended any one of our games and/or events, and all those who have offered physical, emotional, moral, promotional, and financial support since 1997. We could not have done it without you. We are most grateful to all the athletes and their families for letting us be a part of their world. You brought more joy, pride, and worth into our lives than we could have ever imagined.Â
You have made a difference in our lives as well.
— Susan Napier-Jones