A report from the Special Olympics

Special Olympics is one of the most established, recognized, respected and trusted brands in the world. Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports, embracing over 3.5 million athletes in 170 countries. Our local program is governed by Special Olympics Florida, which was incorporated in 1972 and currently serves 15,000 athletes throughout the state.

Special Olympics Charlotte County provides year round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Individuals identified with intellectual disabilities can begin to compete in Special Olympics at the age of 8. The majority of the Charlotte County athletes are adults between the ages of 20 and 60. Special Olympics Charlotte County presently serves approximately 100 athletes in 10 different sports to complete the year round program.

Key outcomes for 2011 were the opportunity to offer a new sport to our athletes: Powerlifting. Approximately 5 athletes competed in this sport with two athletes competing at the area level and one athlete competing at state games. One athlete will be given the opportunity to compete at the USA games in Gulfport, MS. The Charlotte County Community Services Dept. donated training facilities to our program in swimming, softball and basketball. They also provided five swim coaches. These coaches taught the athletes basic swim skills. Several athletes actually learned to swim for the first time this summer.

A management team and several committees have been created which has enabled the organization to improve its administrative capacity. A partnership has been created with Buffalo Graffix to provide discounted printed material. Success has been measured at the monthly management team meetings as members talk about the improvements to the program and new management team members are added who have taken on specific responsibilities, such as fundraising, finance, marketing and special events.

Special Olympics Charlotte County continues year round with support from Special Olympics Florida and generous donations from local contributors, plus local fundraising efforts, such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Tip A Cop, Polar Plunge and the Public Torch Campaign. We continue to make presentations to community groups and schools to encourage more volunteers, coaches and athletes and attend community events to provide visibility for our program.

Key personnel on the management team include: