A warmth was felt by all on the Lake Land College’s campus in Mattoon Saturday.

More than 500 Eastern students gathered at the 18th Annual Special Olympics Family Festival put on by Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company and McLeodUSA. Many started lining up to receive their “friend for a day” before 8 a.m. They enjoyed activities such as a dunk tank, tee ball, a soccer kick, dancing and photos with their “friend for a day.”

Special events were planned, such as a parade that kicked off the ceremony that had characters like Elmo, Donald Duck, Winnie the Pooh and many other favorites of the athletes.

The parade also involved the Charleston Jr. High Marching Band, Miss Coles County, Miss Tuscola and Miss Effingham County.

Many of the volunteers had their favorite activity that they participated in.

What Carolyn Anderson, a junior chemistry major with teacher certification, enjoyed the most was the picture of her friend and herself that was taken at one of the tents, “so that we will always remember it,” she said.

Brad Weitekamp, a junior management major, said of his friend for a day, “It’s fun watching guys like George, seeing how much fun they’re having.” He also said he enjoyed “seeing that everyone’s so happy.”

Erin Hopkins, a sophomore special education major, said her favorite part of the day’s events was just getting to spend time with Angie Belue, her friend for a day.

Angie enjoyed the cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny and Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

No matter the favorite event or the reason the volunteers came, a common theme arose in everyone’s conversations.

“The biggest winners of all are the friends for the day,” said Dick Lumpkin, president of Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company.

They get a feeling that they have done something very important that they will remember always, he said.

The volunteers got as much out of this day as the special friends, said interim President Lou Hencken.

“I really am proud of Eastern students for all they have done,” Hencken said.

“It is such a special day when the community and employees turn out and show their love for human beings,” Lumpkin said. “It is particularly appropriate that the event be held at the end of this week. It brings us back to some kind of sanity and normalcy.”