Uncategorized – Page 13 – Special Olympics Georgia

Thank You Dunkin’ Donuts!

Special Olympics Georgia would like to thank Dunkin’ Donuts for their tremendous sponsorship of the 2016 Cops on Donut Shops and support of LETR. Below are a few words from Dunkin’ Donuts:

Dunkin’ Donuts
Sponsor of the 2016 Cops on Donut Shops
“On behalf of our franchises within the state of Georgia, being able to support Special Olympics Georgia during National Donut Day was a fun and successful effort! Partnering with the LETR groups made it very rewarding since serving our “safety” organizations is part of our mission at Dunkin’ Donuts Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation. We are please to support the great work and the impact that you have on the lives of the Special Olympics athletes. At Dunkin’ Brands, community is the heart of our business so it was exciting to learn about the “reach ” your organization has throughout the whole state. We believe that charitable giving begins at home, in the communities, cities and towns in which we operate. So, we look forward to continuing our support and relationship with Special Olympics Georgia in the future.”- Kimberly Brandon, Associate Field Marketing Manager, Dunkin’ Brands

2016 State Summer Games Updates

by David Crawford

All events for Saturday, May 21 will take place at their regularly scheduled venues and times.

For the official 2016 State Summer Games Inclement Weather Plan, click here.

If you have any additional questions before the 2016 State Summer Games (before May 20), please call the Special Olympics Georgia office at 770-414-9390.

If you have any additional questions during the 2016 State Summer Games (May 20- 22), please call the Nerve Center at 404-727-5202.

If you are LETR, please contact Rebecca Walsh at 678-858-3855 or rebecca.walsh@specialolympicsga.org.

If you are media, please contact Meghan Daves at 864-680-7670 or meghan.daves@specialolympicsga.org.

Thank You Marlow’s Tavern Sandy Plains

by David Crawford

Congratulations Marlow’s Tavern on a great Sneak Preview and VIP Party at your new Sandy Plains location. Thank you for once again inviting Special Olympics Georgia to be a part of this great celebration! Your continued generous support and friendship helps our athletes build their self-esteem, improve their health, nurture friendships, and become meaningful citizens. And for that, we can’t thank you enough!!! Good luck with the official opening of the Sandy Plains location on Tuesday!

May’s Athlete of the Month: Kwame Owusu

by David Crawford

Kawame Owusu is a 20 year old senior at Stephenson High School, full of Jaguar pride. Not only does he like to show off his Jaguar spirit, but he exudes his love, passion and enthusiasm for Special Olympics Georgia . When you meet Kwame, his smile is contagious and his sweet, caring personality radiates.

Throughout the years of being a Special Olympics Georgia athlete, Kwame’s collection of medals and ribbons are beginning to mount up. At Sate Games, he competes in basketball team skills and modified volleyball each year. On a local level, he has competed in a broad span of sports that includes volleyball, basketball, bowling, bocce, tennis and athletics. Kwame epitomizes the true spirit of a Special Olympian with his encouraging attitude, kind-heartedness, positive sportsmanship and willingness to assist others. He has an extraordinary way of sharing and spreading this to his coaches, teachers and teammates. We congratulate Kwame on being May’s Athlete of the Month!

Special Olympics Georgia State Indoor Winter Games return to Cobb County for 2016

by David Crawford

ATLANTA – January 14, 2016 – In what is becoming a tradition for both Special Olympics Georgia and Cobb County, the 2016 Special Olympics Georgia State Indoor Winter Games return to Cobb County for competition the weekend of Jan. 22-24. This will mark the 24^th consecutive year that the State Indoor Winter Games have been held in the Marietta and Cobb County area.

An estimated 2,100 athletes and 200 unified partners will compete in the following events: basketball, bowling, floor hockey, gymnastics and roller skating. In addition, the Southeast Powerlifting competition will also be held at the Marriott Hotel, featuring additional athletes from Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Games are free and open to the public.

“Special Olympics Georgia is excited to host the Indoor Winter Games all over Cobb County for the 24^th year in a row,” said Special Olympics Georgia CEO Georgia Milton-Sheats. “We will have a record number of athletes, coaches, families and volunteers joining at the Games. We hope people will come out to be ‘A Fan in the Stands’ and watch some high level competition and have fun.

“Log on to our website at www.specialolympicsga.org to find out more about our organization and the athletes.”

The Games’ Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at McEachern High School in Powder Springs. Area radio personality Moby will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, while the Opening Ceremony Grand Marshal is former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry.

Competitions will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various locations. The venues include: Sparkles (roller skating), Cobb Gymnastics Center (gymnastics), Marietta Middle School (floor hockey), Ron Anderson Recreation Center and McEachern High School (traditional team basketball), Smyrna Community Center (unified team basketball), Windy Hill Athletic Club (3-on-3 basketball), Fair Oaks Community Center (basketball individual skills), Lawrence Street Recreation Center, the Salvation Army and Ward Recreation Center (basketball team skills) and Brunswick Zone and Marietta AMF Lanes (bowling). The Olympic Town festivities and Healthy Athletes program will be held Saturday, Jan. 23 at Marietta Middle School.

About Special Olympics Georgia SOGA provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 26,702 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsga.org.

2018 Over the Edge

by David Crawford

Ever wondered if you had what it takes to be fearless and face new challenges head-on?

Join us Saturday, May 5th as we go “Over the Edge” for Special Olympics Georgia!

Over the Edge is an exclusive opportunity for individuals to take their support of Special Olympics Georgia athletes to new heights. In exchange for raising money, participants will earn the rare experience of stepping Over the Edge and rappelling down Overlook III Building in Vinings! This exciting even benefits the year-round training training and competition for more than 27, 115 Special Olympics Georgia athletes!

If you are interested in participating, becoming a sponsor or would like more information, please contact Ally Jordan at (770) 414-9390 x 1118 or visit our Registration Page.

SOGA Athlete Nandi Isaac appointed to Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

by David Crawford

Nandi Isaac

ATLANTA – November 13, 2015 – Georgia Governor Nathan Deal appointed 23 people to various statewide boards this week, and one of those appointees was Special Olympics Georgia athlete Nandi Isaac.

The Macon resident was one of seven people who were appointed to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. The mission of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia communities.

Born in the United Arab Emirates and of Indian origin, Isaac moved to Georgia with her family when she was six months old. She has been competing in Special Olympics Georgia for more than 20 years. It started at the age of nine with swimming, and has since broadened to include athletics, roller skating, sailing, equestrian, ice skating, hockey and basketball. Isaac will be competing in January in basketball at the SOGA 2016 State Indoor Winter Games.

Isaac has become a spokesperson and advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. Her various advocacy roles include being a partner in policymaking for All About Developmental Disabilities and has completed training in peer-to-peer support. Isaac is also a member of the Region 2 Quality Improvement Council of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and also serves on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council.

A self-made businesswoman, Isaac owns the microenterprise “ScanWithNan,” which helps people preserve their memories through photos. For more information on “ScanWithNan,” go to www.scanwithnan.com.