When a Sales Pitch Becomes a Lifelong Partnership

Tim Marshall has been a volunteer, resource and friend to Special Olympics New Hampshire since the early ’90s. His Kittery, Maine based Marshall Tent and Event Rental has been a key factor in the success of major SONH events too numerous to mention.

He admits that there is no glorious or emotional backstory to the start of his involvement with the organization. He had tents to rent and he was calling around to companies and organizations that held events in the area. As sales prospecting goes it wasn’t the most profitable call Tim ever made. Marshall Tent and Event Rental provide services to Special Olympics New Hampshire at a minimum 50% discount on big projects like the State Summer Games. That event alone requires 18 tents, 200 tables and 1500 chairs along with the labor to transport and set up. For many smaller events, Tim just donates the time and materials. Tim says that “It wasn’t long before Mike (Quinn) and Mary (Conroy) brought me into the family.” Tim served on the SONH Board of Directors from 2016 to 2018.

Tim Marshall’s favorite SONH event is the State Winter Games noting that “The spirit and quality of competition is just pure sport the way it should be.” He cites the joy he sees on the faces of the athletes as his reward.

When asked for a favorite memory he laughed remembering the State Summer Games from a couple of years ago when his employees couldn’t properly transport the 1500 or so chairs back to Kittery because the straps used to secure those chairs were missing. Tim says that when all search efforts failed, they were left with one possibility; the straps must have been accidentally thrown out and that meant someone had to go dumpster-diving. Tim says he was impressed that SONH President Mary Conroy not only jumped into a dumpster but dove deep enough to recover the wayward chair straps!

While Tim’s time with Special Olympics has included many laughs, he also values the chance to give back and share in the joy that Special Olympics provides to people with intellectual disabilities.  Tim cites being part of the police-escorted motorcade through the streets of Boston bringing Special Olympics New Hampshire athletes and their equipment to Logan Airport for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, WA. Special Olympics New Hampshire athlete Gary Mayo was in the passenger seat of Tim’s truck as they transported luggage and equipment for Team New Hampshire, smiling for miles.