Treva’s journey with Special Olympics began in the early 1970s, when she first volunteered in Salt Lake City. By the time she moved to Northwest Arkansas in the early 1980s to begin her career as a Realtor, her commitment to the athletes was already deeply rooted. She immediately connected with Special Olympics Arkansas’ Northwest Area 3, bringing her energy and heart into every event.
In 1986, when L. Wayne Camp called on Realtors to help raise funds for athletes traveling to the 1987 World Games, Treva and the Springdale Board of Realtors answered with determination. Auctions, garage sales, and bingo nights became more than fundraisers, they were community celebrations of inclusion. And when the Realtors saw firsthand how their efforts supported athletes, serving lunches and volunteering at events, they felt humbled and proud. Their passion grew into what is now a large movement that propels the mission of Special Olympics Arkansas across the state!
Treva helped lead the charge to do more she enjoyed by creating themed parties, trivia nights, and golf tournaments. Each event securing more resources and opening new opportunities for athletes. For her, it wasn’t just about raising money, it was about building relationships, creating joy, and showing athletes that their community stood beside them.
Her challenge today is clear: Realtors past and present must recognize the importance of this partnership. For forty years, Realtors and Special Olympics Arkansas have embraced each other’s mission; championing inclusion, celebrating determination, and building bonds that last far beyond the competition field. Treva believes those forty years are just the beginning. There are forty more ahead, filled with new ways to serve, new relationships to build, and new lessons to learn from the athletes who inspire us all.
Treva’s passion for Special Olympics Arkansas athletes bleeds through every story she tells. She reminds us that this partnership is not just history; it’s a living legacy, one that continues to grow stronger with every hug, every cheer, and every victory! Special Olympics Arkansas
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Treva Chouinard