RALEIGH — They came, they saw, they conquered our hearts. Seven-thousand Special Olympics World Summer Game athletes gave us their best and left the Triangle with a lifetime of memories.

Saturday, the men and women who made it all possible were given their accolades. A thank-you party was held for the 30,000 volunteers who gave their time and energy.

Among them, Susan Carlson, with some unforgettable memories of her own.

"Heather was a 16-year-old athlete from Nebraska. Her coach broke her toe and I asked her what happened. She said, 'The curb jumped out at her.' I just fell in love right there, she was the sweetest thing."

The Special Olympics volunteers do have something to sing about.

Organizers have said over and over that the volunteers were the key to the games' success.