2009 Annual Report
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2015 ANNUAL REPORT 45 Years of Unifying www.specialolympicsga.org the Community! Letter From the CEO and Chairman of the Board Mission Dear Friends and Supporters, Special Olympics Georgia provides year-round It’s hard to believe Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) has been active and growing as a nonprofit for the past ! 2015 was an exciting year filled with challenges, accomplishments, tough sports training and athletic competition in a 45 years competitions, intense trainings and newly formed friendships, all which created unity in our variety of Olympic-type sports for children and communities and with each other. adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical Some of the highlights from 2015 are: fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, * The program was implemented statewide by a volunteer base of 33,787 committed and passionate and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and individuals who are true believers in Special Olympics Georgia and the 26,702 athletes. friendships with their families, other Special * Through our Healthy Athlete initiatives, 995 athletes were given the opportunity to be evaluated by Olympics athletes and the community. medical professionals in order to promote improved wellness and health. * 7,340 athletes competed in the 5 State Competitions. * The first-ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America stopped in many communities in our Table of Contents state in June. This historic event brought together our Special Olympics Georgia supporters in helping to carry the "Flame of Hope," as the torch made the journey across America to the 2015 Letter From CEO and Board Chairman 2 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles. The Unified Relay united Georgia and the country by increasing understanding and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities. Sports Offered and State Competitions 3 * 14 athletes, coaches and sports managers participated in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles, California…a trip of a lifetime. Our Impact 4 * More than 30 law enforcement agencies, and over 1,000 runners, helped to bear the “Flame of Hope” on its journey throughout the state and to its final destination at Emory University for the Meet Our Athletes 5-6 State Summer Games Opening Ceremony. Law Enforcement Torch Run ended their fundraising year surpassing all goals with a total raised of more than $864,000 for Special Olympics Georgia athletes. Beyond Sports 7 * SOGA purchased 2 acres of land which will become the new Special Olympics Georgia Headquarters, future home of a large Sports Training Lab and the SOGA offices. Statement of Activity 8 We could not have done any of this without the generous support of our families, coaches, donors and volunteers, and we are looking ahead to an even brighter future of acceptance, hope, Meet Our Team 9-10 awareness and unity. Thank you for being the cheering fans who stand united and alongside every Special Olympics SOGA and The Community 11 Georgia athlete! Sincerely, Sponsors and Contributors 12-17 Georgia Milton-Sheats Mike Twiner Chief Executive Officer Chairman of the Board Special Olympics Georgia, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is supported by donations from individuals, events, community groups, corporations and foundations. Special Olympics Georgia does not charge athletes to participate. The state offices are located at 4000 Dekalb Technology Parkway, Building 400, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30340 and 1601 N. Ashley Street, Suite 88, Valdosta, GA 31602. 770-414-9390. www.specialolympicsga.org 2 Sports Offered and 2015 State Competitions Special Olympics Georgia offers year-round training and competition in 25 sports and hosts five State Competitions. Participation in sports training and competition provides athletes with opportunities to focus on a goal, learn new sports and daily living skills, develop healthy habits, increase independence, and interact with peers. Through successful experiences in sports, our athletes gain confidence and build positive self-images that go with them into their homes, classrooms, jobs, and communities. In addition to athletic achievement, athletes use their strong spirits and dedication to work hard to help change public perceptions about intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Georgia athletes are proof that differences should be embraced, appreciated, and celebrated. Alpine Skiing Aquatics Athletics Badminton Basketball Bocce Bowling Cycling Equestrian Flag Football Floor Hockey Golf Gymnastics - Gymnastics - Ice Skating Kayaking Long Distance Artistic Rhythmic Running/Walking Powerlifting Roller Skating Sailing Soccer Softball Table Tennis Tennis Volleyball State Indoor Winter Games - January 23-25, Cobb County: Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball, Bowling, Floor Hockey, Powerlifting, Roller Skating State Summer Games - May 29-31, Emory University: Aquatics, Athletics, Flag Football, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball State Masters Bowling Tournament - August 21-23, Warner Robins: Traditional and Unified Bowling for athletes ages 22 and up State Fall Games - October 9-11, Gainesville: Bocce, Cycling, Golf, Softball State Horse Show - October 9-11, Gainesville: Dressage, Horsemanship/Equitation, Showmanship, Unified Drill Team, Western Riding 3 Our Impact 26,702 SOGA Athletes 27 Youth 995 Volunteers Athletes and 11 Athletes Receive Attend 3 Day Free Health Youth Forum Screenings Over 500 Annual Competitions in Georgia STATE INDOOR WINTER GAMES 1,926 athletes, 759 coaches, 176 unified partners, 1,459 volunteers STATE SUMMER GAMES 1,768 athletes, 623 coaches, 298 unified partners, 2,404 volunteers WORLD SUMMER GAMES STATE MASTERS BOWLING TOURNAMENT 6 Special Olympics Georgia athletes, 5 coaches, 1 unified partner 1,062 athletes, 299 coaches, 191 unified partners, 480 volunteers and 2 sports managers were selected to represent Special Olympics USA at the Special Olympics 2015 World Summer STATE FALL GAMES Games in Los Angeles July 25th – August 2nd. SOGA athletes 1,394 athletes, 421 coaches, 229 unified partners, 1,016 volunteers competed in kayaking, equestrian, gymnastics, aquatics, and STATE HORSE SHOW sailing, and they brought home a combined 12 medals and 7 240 athletes, 52 coaches, 56 unified partners, 108 handlers, 121 volunteers ribbons. ESPN provided unprecedented coverage of the Games. 4 Meet Our Athletes Through Ryan Phillips' involvement in Special Olympics Tyechia Luster was one of the Georgia and trying his very best, he has come very far first athletes to compete in not only as an athlete, but also as an individual. Albany Recreation and Parks After losing his mother when he was very young, Ryan Department’s Special Olympics was withdrawn and unable to be around loud noises program. and crowds. But when he turned 11, the Carrollton athlete pushed himself to compete with Special In seven years, Tyechia has Olympics in softball, basketball, and soccer. Through competed all over the state, is sports competition and being a part of a team, Ryan an accomplished athlete, and began to outgrow his shy demeanor. she looks forward to each sport and competition with great Now 22, Ryan is very social and continues to amaze enthusiasm. those around him who have seen him grow into the outgoing and motivational young adult that he is today. Tyechia’s sports include In 2010, Ryan traveled to Omaha, NE as a SOGA bowling, 3-on-3 basketball, tennis, bocce, softball, and representative at the National Youth Summit during the volleyball, and her love for Special Olympics is infectious and USA Games. Ryan has attended Special Olympics has spread to her family. Her sister Natasha has been her Georgia’s Camp Inspire as an athlete and as a Y-LEAD unified partner in bocce and bowling, and her brother-in-law (Youth Leaders Educating others About Disability) Eric accompanies them to most competitions. representative. Ryan's hard work as an athlete and ambassador is how The highlight of Tyechia’s Special Olympics career came in he achieved the major milestone of becoming a college 2014 when she was selected to represent Team Georgia in student. Ryan attends Kennesaw State University's bocce at the USA Games in New Jersey. Tyechia enjoyed all Inclusive Academy and lives on campus in a dorm. of the extra practices, special events, and especially flying in a Ryan is a leader and an incredible inspiration to others. plane for the first time in her life. And if that wasn’t enough, she brought home medals in bocce singles, doubles, and team competition. In addition to competing with Special Olympics Georgia, Tyechia works at Goodwill Industries on the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany and enjoys a full and happy life with her family. Tyechia says that Special Olympics has given her self-confidence. She knows she can do anything when she does her best. Read more athlete stories at www.specialolympicsga.org/stories-2/athlete-stories 5 "Let Me Win. But If I Cannot Win, Let Me Be Brave In The Attempt." 6 Beyond Sports HEALTHY ATHLETES® PROGRAM PROJECT UNIFY® Healthy Athletes is a Special Olympics program that provides Project UNIFY is a school-based program that uses the sports free health examinations in a fun, welcoming environment that and education initiatives of Special Olympics to activate young removes the anxiety people with intellectual disabilities people to develop school communities where all youth are sometimes experience when faced with a visit to a medical agents of change – fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy