SLIPPERY ROCK — Special Olympics have always hit close to home for Patty Daniels.

Her oldest sister, Diana Dunbar, was inducted into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Hall of Fame as an athlete in May of last year.

“Seeing what Special Olympics have done for her over the years has been amazing,” Daniels said. “I started getting involved in the organization once my children were raised.

“It’s been a passion of mine ever since.”

After 35 years of teaching in the Slippery Rock Area School District — half of that time in special education — Daniels is retired and serves as outreach volunteer coordinator for Special Olympics Butler County.

She is certified to coach in four sports — basketball, track and field, volleyball and aquatics.

“I go from one season to the next,” she said.

During SOPA’s Leadership Conference in Harrisburg last month, Daniels was named the state’s Special Olympics Coach of the Year. She’s been involved in coaching for 13 years.

Fellow Butler County coach Dave Burgoon nominated Daniels for consideration.

“Patty is very deserving,” assistant coach Linda Burgoon said. “She is always there when we need her. She’s filled a variety of roles and cares deeply for our athletes.”

There are 56 city or county Special Olympic programs in Pennsylvania, along with more than 20,000 athletes. Butler County currently has 102 athletes and 141 volunteers.

Besides her coaching duties, Daniels hits the road to promote Special Olympics wherever she can.

“I’ll make an appearance at any event to show people what we’re about,” she said. “I get our global messengers out on public speaking appearances, too.

“We’ll do anything to pull in more volunteers and more athletes.”

Winning the award was a surprise to Daniels, who figured she was simply attending the leadership conference. She was chosen for the honor by a statewide panel of business and community leaders representing the private and nonprofit sectors.

“It was a real surprise,” Daniels said. ‘No one from the county ever said a word. I didn’t know I was getting an award until the presenter started talking about me.

“Everything we do, though, is a team effort. I don’t feel like I should be singled out.”

Daniels credited her fellow coaches and Butler County’s volunteer base for making the Special Olympics program work.

“Through Wendy Fagan, a physical education instructor, we get a lot of student volunteers from Slippery Rock University and they do remarkable work for us,” Daniels said.

Daniels’ favorite part of Special Olympics is watching the athletes learn to work together as a team and develop sportsmanship.

“We show them that it’s OK not to win,” she said. “We’re here to have fun, learn a sport, do our best and have a good time together.

“It’s good socialization for the athletes and their families. I’ve watched kids start in our program at age 6 and grow into adults at age 20 or so while staying with us. It’s such a privilege to witness their emotional maturity.”

Daniels pointed out that Special Olympics bring families of mentally challenged individuals together and form support systems.

“Some of those families felt so alone before,” she said. “When I see the families meet each other and form lasting friendships. ... It’s such a thrill.”