Hamel recognized for work with Special Olympics

    HALLOWELL — Molina Medicaid Solutions in Maine, based in Augusta, recently recognized three individuals, including Presque Isle resident Brian Hamel, for their community work at its first Community Champions Awards event in Maine, held earlier this month.
    Hamel received the award for his work as a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics Basketball Program in Aroostook County. It was his first time working with people with disabilities, but he quickly helped elevate his team—the Snow Dogs—into the limelight with scrimmages with local high school teams, including the boys and state champion girls’ teams from Presque Isle High School as well as a team from Caribou. This even led the University of Maine at Presque Isle to host a day-long workshop and scrimmage for the team.
    “I was very humbled and proud to accept the award from Molina Health on behalf of the Special Olympics Aroostook Snow Dogs basketball team,” Hamel said. “The awards ceremony was very heartwarming and when I accepted the award, I told some stories about my experiences with my athletes and I could tell the crowd really enjoyed learning more about the great people I have the pleasure of being with during the basketball season.”
    Hamel said the Snow Dogs held a year-end cookout at Mantle Lake Park Thursday and he said he brought the award and let the athletes know this was “a team award” they should be very proud of.
    “Being the head coach of the Snow Dogs has been the most rewarding public service effort I have ever been involved with and I am so proud to be their coach,” Hamel said.
    There are 16 regional Special Olympics programs in Maine, staffed totally by volunteers who receive no stipend or compensation. Special Olympics Aroostook is guided by a 10-member volunteer management team.
    “Brian demonstrates such commitment and passion when it comes to his Snow Dogs team,” said Peter Gray, executive account manager for Molina Medicaid Solutions in Maine. “He shows these athletes hope, respect and friendship, which has already inspired so many others to do the same.”
    Established to honor the memory of Dr. Molina, the Molina Healthcare Community Champions award program spotlights the good deeds of everyday heroes in their communities. Molina has been hosting the Community Champions Awards for six years in the states that it operates. At this first event in Maine, the winners were nominated by community-based organizations and also received $1,000 grants to give to deserving non-profit organizations as part of their awards. Hamel gave his grant back to Special Olympics Aroostook.