News

November 4, 2009

Be a fan. Volunteer. Participate. Donate.

There is an increasingly growing desire for civic engagement and belonging. It's about transforming lives, including your own. It's about a spirit of giving and teamwork. It's about making your community and neighborhood a more welcoming and accepting place. It's also about creating lifelong friendships and a new way of thinking about others.

In recent developments, and because of your incredible support, more groups and agencies are joining with Special Olympics to increase program involvement and register new athletes.  Our fall season has officially come to an end, and we are happy to report that the Seneca Falls community fully embraced our athletes and the support and hard work provided a fantastic competitive atmosphere for the 2009 State Fall Games. Across the state, advocates for Special Olympics New York have been meeting with New York State Senate and Assembly representatives in efforts to increase their awareness of our local and statewide programs and initiatives and the value of Special Olympics in their communities, and to leverage support for their local athletes.

These are rewards of immeasurable value that you as our volunteer share with us at Special Olympics New York.  Our organization salutes you for making our program extremely successful in our role for advocating for people with intellectual disabilities.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded Special Olympics, spoke many times about how she found the focus for her life's work, and why she created this global movement. She said, "I had played sports all my life.  I loved sports and appreciated the rewards of participating in sports.  I knew in my heart that the thousands of people I had seen in institutions doing nothing could do sports, if given the opportunity. And I knew they'd enjoy it!”

Many people have asked, “What can I do? I am not available this year, this time and this place, my time is so limited, but I so want to volunteer for your great organization.” Well, with volunteering for Special Olympics whether you're an individual or a member of a school, church, and work, civic or other group; whether you can only volunteer for a few hours, or several hours a week, year-round, there are always volunteer opportunities available to you, your friends, family and colleagues.

Here are some thoughts:

1. Get in touch with Special Olympics New York office near you to see what you can do to help.


2. Be a fan in the stands at a Special Olympics event or take on the Polar Plunge as a fundraiser .


3. Follow and collaborate about Special Olympics New York online through E-News , Twitter & Facebook Cause & Facebook Fan Page


4. Donate money and/or Fundraise to keep Special Olympics New York programs going and growing.


5. Contribute five minutes to “take the pledge” to stop using the word "retard" as an insult.


6. Watch a video about a group of Mattel Corp. volunteers or about Mike Cohen , one outstanding coach, and then share it with five friends.


7. Find the Special Olympics New York ( Long Island , New York City , Hudson Valley , Central , Genesee , Capital District , Southern Tier , Western and North Country . ) region near you and invite a speaker to your next get-together.


8. Know someone with an intellectual disability? Refer them to Special Olympics New York .

Thank you once again for being part of Special Olympics New York.  Whether you volunteer, donate, coach or participate, I want you to know that we appreciate all your efforts on behalf of our 47,654 athletes in New York .

Warmest Regards,
Neal J. Johnson
President & CEO
Special Olympics New York

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