8th Annual Buffalo Bowl Raises $250,000 for Special Olympics New York

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — Fun for the kids, flag football and sunshine on a Saturday afternoon made the 8th annual Buffalo Bowl a success.

“We are the inclusion revolution, this is what we do, we want to include as many people as possible,” said Erica Raepple, director of development for Special Olympics New York.

62 teams from across New York State and as far away as Florida came to play, with many Special Olympics athletes playing as honorary 13th players.

“So they’re out there, in teams, hanging out with them, showing them what their gifts are for,” Raepple said.

Jaurdyn Johnson

The teams raised $250,000 together and for every $500 raised, they can sponsor a local athlete.

“It means to me, it probably means I’ll be famous for this,” said Reid Heinrich, an athlete.

Playing football on the same field as his idol Josh Allen was a dream come true for Heinrich.

The funds will help them train and compete at the Summer State Games in Ithaca next weekend.