WARREN, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Nearly 1,500 athletes compete in 18 events this year for the regional Special Olympics at Macomb County Community College in Warren. 

An event of this size relies on a significant number of volunteers. 

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he looks forward to this event every year. 

“You’re really giving back to the community by being with these kids again. They’re all special to every one of us,” Hackel said. 

The Roseville High School football team was also part of a large team of organizers. 

“They help us out during the season, they come out and support us so why not come and support them,” said D’Ondre Fordham, a junior at Roseville High School. 

For junior quarterback Jordan Simes, volunteering at an event like the Special Olympics is personal to his family. 

“I am honored. I have a cousin with disabilities, and it is hard for him and my family to cope with everything, so it means a lot,” Simes said. 

Roseville High School head coach Vernard Snowden said helping out at this event every year is very important to the school and his program. 

“I just think for them to be active in the community, as well as our CI department seeing them active, not just for our program but for our community as a whole,” Snowden said. 

Athletes competed in a variety of events today, like sprinting and bocci ball. 

Win, lose, or draw, for the athletes and volunteers, this Special Olympics regional event continues to be a success year after year.

“That being said, what these kids are getting out of it, really makes you feel like you are part of something very special,” Hackel said. 

Some of the winners from the regional event will compete at the end of the month in Mt. Pleasant. 

The Special Olympics Summer Games will take place on May 30-31 and June 1. 

Martin Lawrence’s sitcom character lived in the Motor City during the five-season run of Fox’s “Martin” in the 1990s.

Now, the real Martin Lawrence is bringing his national arena tour announced Wednesday morning to his TV home.

The “Y’all Know What It Is!’ tour will arrive at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Aug. 30. It is part of a nearly 40-city schedule that is Lawrence’s first comedy tour in eight years.

The tour is timed to follow the premiere of the latest movie in the “Bad Boys” franchise starring Lawrence and Will Smith, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which premieres June 7.

Tickets are available to purchase starting at 10 a.m. May 17 at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Two years ago, the comedy icon was part of a 30-year anniversary “Martin” special on BET+ that reunited him with cast members Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II.

Lawrence unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April 2023.

For more on the tour and a complete list of cities, go to martinlawrenceontour.com.