Mariani donates $1,000 to Havre Special Olympics

When Special Olympian Erik Thompson moved to Havre about seven years ago, he used to watch Marc Mariani play football for his favorite team, the Havre High Blue Ponies.

An avid sports fan, Erik was delighted when Mariani went on to play for his favorite college team, the University of Montana Grizzlies.

"He's a good football player," Erik explained, gesturing with his trademark thumbs up. "I like the Grizzlies."

Erik wasn't a Tennessee Titans fan, but he quickly became one when Mariani was drafted. "I watched him on TV," Erik said.

So, Erik was very happy when he learned what happened at Havre High School two weeks ago.

Mariani walked into Havre High School, asked to see Shaylee Lewis, the Havre area director of Special Olympics, and handed her a $1,000 donation.

"We thought people should know what he did," said Nancy Venable, Erik's mother and Special Olympics mother.

The donation made the Special Olympians proud.

"That was nice," said Erik. "He gave Mrs. Lewis money."

Erik was happy because he loves Special Olympics.

"I run... and play basketball," he said. "I'm good," he said, with his thumb pointed upward.

Lewis said she was surprised when Mariani showed up with the gift.

The money will go toward helping the Special Olympians compete in contests around the state, Lewis said.

"It was very nice of him to donate the money," she said.

When Special Olympian Erik Thompson moved to Havre about seven years ago, he used to watch Marc Mariani play football for his favorite team, the Havre High Blue Ponies.

An avid sports fan, Erik was delighted when Mariani went on to play for his favorite college team, the University of Montana Grizzlies.

"He's a good football player," Erik explained, gesturing with his trademark thumbs up. "I like the Grizzlies."

Erik wasn't a Tennessee Titans fan, but he quickly became one when Mariani was drafted. "I watched him on TV," Erik said.

So, Erik was very happy when he learned what happened at Havre High School two weeks ago.

Mariani walked into Havre High School, asked to see Shaylee Lewis, the Havre area director of Special Olympics, and handed her a $1,000 donation.

"We thought people should know what he did," said Nancy Venable, Erik's mother and Special Olympics mother.

The donation made the Special Olympians proud.

"That was nice," said Erik. "He gave Mrs. Lewis money."

Erik was happy because he loves Special Olympics.

"I run... and play basketball," he said. "I'm good," he said, with his thumb pointed upward.

Lewis said she was surprised when Mariani showed up with the gift.

The money will go toward helping the Special Olympians compete in contests around the state, Lewis said.

"It was very nice of him to donate the money," she said.