Bocce season for area high schools will start to heat up soon, but Burrell’s team was serving up some cool drinks Thursday morning in New Kensington.

Burrell’s Unified Bocce team, now in its third year, is part of the Special Olympics Interscholastic Unified Sports program. Sixteen students are on the team, half of whom are students with intellectual disabilities.

“It makes more of our mainstream kids realize that these kids are normal kids,” said Courtney Kobelenske, whose daughter, Cora, has special needs. “Once they get to know them, they realize, ‘Oh, they’re pretty cool.’”

The student-athletes made coffees and drinks Thursday morning outside Kobelenske’s business, Cora Lee Cupcakes, in Feldarelli Square off Freeport Road. The money raised will go toward the team’s end-of-season banquet.

Burrell’s first game is at 4 p.m. Dec. 19 at Burrell High School. The team has a mix of returners and first-year players, Kobelenske said.

Kobelenske is planning a similar fundraiser in February.

People also can support the team through its cookie sale, which runs through Friday and will be available for pickup in time for Thanksgiving.

Orders for two dozen cookies, at $25, can be made by calling Kobelenske at 724-681-5498. Pickup will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday at the shop, 2300 Freeport Road, Suite 20.

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