Summer 2011 Georgia’s Champions

What’s next:

●Nestled in the north Georgia mountains is the city of Dalton, where athletes will compete at State Fall Games Oct. 21-23.
Click here to learn more about the games, how to be a sponsor and how to volunteer.
●Plunge into Lake Lanier’s wintry waters Feb. 18 at Lake Lanier Islands and Water Park. Click here to prepare for the Polar Plunge.
●NEW: You can be fearless with us as we rappel over a 16+ story building for Special Olympics Georgia. Introducing Over the Edge.
●Want to be a coach? Sign up for a clinic.
Click here for more information.

Photo courtesy of Kory Pryor Photography

New unified equestrian and master bowler show heart 
at State Games Aug. 19-21

The bravery and perseverance in athletes Bret Brannan
of Cobb County and Tom Payne of Hickory Log in White County exemplify the heart of Special Olympics and show  what it means to be a champion at the State Horse Show and Masters Bowling.
Brannan and Payne joined hundreds of athletes from across the state competing at State Masters Bowling, in Warner Robins, and
the State Horse Show, in Perry, Aug. 19-21.

 Bret Brannan
Brannan, a two time World Games gold medalist in equestrian competitions, competed as a volunteer – or unified partner – for the first time at the State Horse Show. He won so many medals over the years, he began giving them away to athletes who didn’t receive them. At 5-years-old Brannan, who has  Aspersers Syndrome, first began to talk and now in his early 30′s has become a teacher to other athletes. Two weekends ago, the unified partner led four athletes and their horses through an obstacle course Route 66 to a gold medal.

Tom Payne
It didn’t matter to 76-year-old Tom Payne that he didn’t get the
gold medal at Masters Bowling in Warner Robins. He mostly  likes
catching up with old friends  over the years. “But when he wins first or second place, he has to show everybody his medal,” said Special
Olympics Georgia Local Coordinator Jimmy Colello. Payne is described as a kind person who doesn’t quit. He also competes in softball and basketball. He still goes to work every day at Good Shepherd Foundation and to church with Colello every Sunday. “He’s always on the go,” Colello said.

SOGA would like to congratulate all athletes
competing  and doing their best at State Masters Bowling and the State Horse Show.

Thank you to the following companies for helping make
Masters Bowling a huge success: Warner Robins Convention &Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsor),  McDonald’s Franchise of Warner Robins/Byron and GEICO.

SOGA is also grateful to the State Horse Show’s
presenting sponsor Employees Community Fund of Boeing and GEICO, the awards sponsor.

Pictured above is Bret Brannan and his horse Swatch.

Pictured above is Tom Payne at an Atlanta Braves softball clinic a few years ago.

Above Newton County Masters Athlete Nicholas Stubbs at State Masters Bowling in Warner Robins.

Team Georgia brings home more than accolades

Four Team Georgia athletes traveled to Greece this summer to compete in powerlifting and swimming and brought home many ribbons and medals. Click here for scores and placements. But  more importantly athletes brought home new friendships and pride in doing their personal
best. “I am so proud of the Georgia
athletes! Some athletes won medals, some won ribbons. But, no matter what place they received, they all achieved their own personal bests in the events they competed in. To me, they all won Gold!” said Kelli Britt, SOGA staffer who was head of the Team Georgia delegation.

Meet your athletes:

Chris Currere –He works at Marshalls as a receiving clerk, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and enjoys photography and movies. He’s competed in Special Olympics  for 12 years and has learned and experienced sportsmanship, self-determination, and perseverance, and has made many friends. Currere competed in Powerlifting.

Daniel Hester– He works at Con-Wall Construction Co. as a laborer and enjoys being an uncle, NASCAR, golf, and softball. He’s been involved with Special Olympics for 15 years and has had the opportunity to go places, meet people, and play sports. Hester competed in Powerlifting.

Erin Hoffman  – She volunteers at the Special Olympics Georgia state office and in the community, is a Global
Messenger for Special Olympics,  enjoys reading, public speaking, and the computer. She has been involved with Special Olympics for 25 years. Hoffman competed in aquatics.

Paul Partus  – He  works in the kitchen/food prep industry, has been awarded employee of the month several times, and enjoys watching sports. He has been involved with Special Olympics for 22 years, and  has learned good sportsmanship, build skills in sports, and promoted physical fitness. Partus competed in aquatics.

Thanks to World Games Team Georgia sponsors: AutoTrader.com, Bennett Thrasher Foundation

Above are most members of TEAM Georgia. Below is a photo of Team Georgia athlete Chris Currere. The bottom photo is of  World Games Opening Ceremony

Photo taken by  SOGA Staffer  Kelli Britt

Henry County won the national softball championship but both Georgia teams were recognized as winners

Even though Henry County softball athletes beat the Cherokee County team in the final game of the Unified Softball Championship in Chicago by 9-7, both teams came home gold medalists.

The teams’ unified partners had already decided before the game that no matter who won, the partners would give up their gold to give to the athletes in second place. After the awards were given and pictures taken, Henry County partners pulled Cherokee County athletes to the award area and presented them with the medals saying they felt like all Georgia athletes were gold medal winners.

 ”Seeing the expressions of the athletes were priceless, and it showed what an impact a Unified Partner has on a Special Olympics athlete,” said Henry County coach Alison Rebuelta. “It was more than just about a game; it was about the friendships that have been built, the hard work, sportsmanship, and compassion for each other. It is one moment that each of us will never forget!” she said.

Sponsor Spotlight: The Coca-Cola Company
Platinum Partner of Special Olympics Georgia

The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Refreshments continue to generously support Special Olympics Georgia year-round through monetary and product donations, as well as hands-on volunteer assistance at our competitions and events.

As a global beverage company, The Coca-Cola Company has committed themselves to making an impact around the world and to improving the quality of life in the communities where they do business. LIVE POSITIVELY™ is Coca-Cola’s platform and commitment to making a positive difference. Their giving priority focuses on active healthy living, water stewardship, community recycling, and education.

Special Olympics Georgia values The Coca-Cola Company’s and Coca-Cola Refreshments’ long-standing belief in our mission and athletes. Through our partnership, Coca-Cola has “Opened Happiness” and provided hope, opportunity, success, and acceptance to thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Georgia.

The Coca-Cola Company’s and Coca-Cola Refreshments’ continued support of Special Olympics Georgia is greatly appreciated, and it is a partnership that we hold in high regard. Thank you Coca-Cola!

Camp Inspire was a huge success

Camp Inspire is a week long summer camp in July for teens with intellectual disabilities ages 13-18. At Camp Inspire, 64 athletes are trained in two SOGA sports and also participate in several camp activities such as: rock wall climbing, archery, boating, swimming and RC Car racing.
“For many athletes this is there first time being away from mom and dad overnight,” said SOGA staffer  Daniel Lockart who’s in charge of the camp. “Monday of camp a lot of
athletes and parents were nervous about separating for a week, but by the end of camp the athletes don’t want to go home because they’ve had so much fun,” Lockart said. “Our campers are an inspiration.”                                                                 
                                               

                                       

Camp Inspire was memorable and rewarding for the athletes due to the following  Presenting Sponsor:

Congrats to SOGA Award Winners

Special Olympics is proud to recognize outstanding service of a SOGA  Family of the Year, Grassroots Support and the 2011 Female Athlete of the Year: Three awards were given at Masters Bowling for SOGA’s most prestigious awards:
Distinguished Service Award for  Outstanding Family- The Way Family of Augusta Stars-  Outstanding Grassroots Support from a Business on the Local or Area Level–Aggregates USA of Jones County-- Female Athlete of the Year–Megan
McKinney of Jones County.
Click here
to read the tributes made since April.

Many inspired by 2,000+ athletes at Summer Games

Athletes had the opportunity to compete in flag football for the first time at State Summer Games.
Flag football was just one of the inspiring competitions happening at Emory University in May. SOGA would like to thank the following sponsors of State Summer Games:
Aetna,ALTA Foundation, American Honda Motor Company, Amerifleet Transportation, Aon, AT&T, ADP, AXA Advisors, AutoTrader.com, Cox Enterprises, Crawford &Company, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, ING Foundation, Jones Day, Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP, Lexis Nexis, Macy’s, The Mary
Alice & Bennett Brown Foundation, Magnolia Plastics, Mattel, McGladrey, SuperValu, The Men’s Wearhouse, Winter Construction.

Kolin Wiley and Eric Sweet of Gwinnett Masters recieve medals at Summer Games.

The SOGA Community Makes A Difference

 We often receive calls from individuals, companies, and groups who have an idea for a fundraiser and want to donate the proceeds to SOGA. Every single fundraising effort, no matter the financial outcome, is very significant and makes a tremendous difference. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following:

• Whitefield Academy – “Prom With A Purpose” raised $4,710
• Chevrolet – “Capture the Cruze” raised $311
• Cabot Corporation – March Madness Silent Auction raised $684
• Reynold’s Inc. – Golf Tournament raised $4,000
• Market St. Café – the Opening raised $1,202
• Marlow’s Tavern Cumming – the Opening raised $4,462
• Chartis – employee Denim Day raised $740
• La Societa Italiana – Bocce Tournament at Brio Tuscan Grille –
Perimeter raised $3452
• Chili’s Grill & Bar – three Give Back Days have raised $1509
• Titletown Tasting – the Valdosta event raised $1509

To read and share: 
Click here for Special Olympics Georgia’s homepage. Please bookmark it.

Click here to for the monthly SOGA Connection and please forward to 
friends. When they enter their email addresses, they’ll begin receiving
monthly updates, too!