Move United honors Barb Peacock with 2026 Jim Winthers Volunteer Award

By AI, Created 5:24 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Move United gave its 2026 Jim Winthers Volunteer Award to Barb Peacock of Mesa, Arizona, recognizing decades of volunteer leadership in adaptive sports. The award highlights long-term service to athletes with disabilities and the local organizations that support them.

Why it matters: - The Jim Winthers Volunteer Award recognizes volunteers whose work has helped grow adaptive sports and expand access for athletes with disabilities. - Barb Peacock’s record spans teaching, coaching, board service, and event leadership across multiple organizations. - Her work helped sustain Arizona Disabled Sports and power soccer in Arizona.

What happened: - Move United presented its 2026 Jim Winthers Volunteer Award to Barb Peacock of Mesa, Arizona. - The award was presented at the Move United Education Conference in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in April. - Move United is the national leader in community-based adaptive sports.

The details: - The Jim Winthers Volunteer Award is named for Jim Winthers, a pioneer of the adaptive sports movement. - Winthers was a World War II veteran and a member of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division. - Winthers later helped teach adaptive skiing, starting with two amputee friends after the war. - The award honors lifetime contributions and major achievements in recreational adaptive sports. - Nominees must have at least 10 years of volunteer service to Move United or one of its member organizations. - Peacock spent 30 years teaching orthopedically impaired students. - Peacock has been involved with the Federation International of Powerchair Football Association, or FIPFA, for more than 21 years. - Peacock has served 18 years on FIPFA’s board of directors. - Peacock has volunteered for 30 years with Arizona Disabled Sports’ Desert Challenge Games. - The Desert Challenge Games began as a bocce and track competition. - Peacock was an integral member of the event’s local organizing committee. - Peacock has coached power soccer for 31 years with Arizona Disabled Sports. - Peacock has served 20 years on Arizona Disabled Sports’ board of directors. - Peacock said she was honored by the recognition and thanked Move United, Arizona Disabled Sports, and the athletes, coaches, and families who shaped her experience. - More information is available in the award announcement.

Between the lines: - The award spotlights volunteers who often work behind the scenes for decades before broader recognition arrives. - Peacock’s mix of teaching, governance, coaching, and event-building suggests the award values sustained infrastructure work, not just visible competition results.

What’s next: - Move United will continue honoring long-term volunteers through its adaptive sports awards program. - Peacock’s recognition may further elevate awareness of Arizona Disabled Sports, FIPFA, and power soccer.

The bottom line: - Move United used its 2026 volunteer honor to recognize a long-serving builder of adaptive sports whose impact reached classrooms, governing boards, and competition fields.