Current Events Video

Watch this short video of Craig and Kevin talking about current events going on with Special Olympics Louisiana!

Blues and BBQ was a smokin’ success

Thank you to all of those who came out the Hammond Blues and BBQ Challenge to support Special Olympics Louisiana this past weekend. Total money raised and pictures to come via our Facebook page.

Special Olympics Louisiana’s Maria Sanchez remarks, “We were so pleasantly surprised by the number of people that came out to support our charity and enjoy the wonderful weather and food. Next year will be the 10th year of the Blues and BBQ Challenge which we are hoping will be the biggest year yet!”

Local newspaper, the Hammond Daily Star, ran a nice article about the entire event. It stated: “…The Piggly Wiggly People’s Choice alone garnered $11,349…”. “It turned out to be very profitable,” event coordinator Cindy Shannon said of the competition….”. “…The 66 teams in the Walmart Backyard Boogie competition ranged from local Hammond businesses, to teams of relatives and neighbors, to groups from Covington and Mandeville…”. Read the full article

Learn more about the Hammond Blues and BBQ Challenge

Free To Learn

Yes, you read correctly.  FREE to Learn!  It’s everything you have ever dreamed wrapped up into one phrase.  The chance to become the next great surgeon, the chance to practice law or preside over a court, the chance to write the next best seller or create the next fashion craze,  the chance too learn from the best chefs in the world.  It’s YOUR dream and Free to Learn can help!

So what are we talking about?!  Head over to www.befreetolearn.com for more info.  Don’t wait!

 

Words to live by

“Only by facing the facts and resolving to meet the challenge head-on can something be done.” – Eunice Kennedy Shriver

The Experience of Being a Special Olympics Athlete

The Experience of Being a Special Olympics Athlete: by Tiffany Hebert 

I lie here thinking about my experience of being a Special Olympics athlete. My experience has been great. My memory is filled with emotions and pictures of me finishing events, maybe not always in first place but still very excited and happy that I finished my event. My next major event was my trip to Washington, DC. I was so excited and helped Special Olympics continue its blessed outreach to our wonderful athletes as we inspire athletes not to give up and to keep going. We can do anything that we put our minds too. Our oath says: “Let me win and if I can not win let me be brave in the attempt.” This oath is what our athletes live by in everyday life. Every bad day this rings out in our mind that we can be brave and still have the courage to get though and finish no matter what. Who inspires you to greatness in everyday life?

What motivates you to help someone else?

The other day I was driving down the road and encountered a special needs man slowing trudging along the road. He was walking in the road because there was no shoulder. Cars were whizzing by without a thought. I turned around, which took a few minutes, got out of my car and eventually talked the man into getting off the road. Others eventually came to the scene who knew the man and all was well. I began to consider reasons why I thought no one stopped to help the man. What do you think motivates a person to help another, or what stops them from helping another?

– Pat Carpenter Bourgeois, Special Olympics Louisiana President and CEO

Find out where we are in Your Area

Special Olympics Louisiana has numerous events taking place around the state. The next few weeks a lot of areas will be hosting their area spring games. To find out what is going on in your area, click here OR visit our calendar of events.

View the video New Orleans news, WDSU did to spotlight the St. Tammany Parish games this past weekend. St. Tammany Parish High School Hosts Special Olympics – Video – WDSU New Orleans.

1st Founding Partner of 2014 Special Olympics USA Games announced

We are very excited to announce that the Organizing Committee of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and Toys”R”Us^® announced a $1 million commitment from the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund, making Toys”R”Us the first Founding Partner of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

“Toys”R”Us signing as the first Founding Partner of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games continues their on-going support of our movement,” said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. “Their vision and leadership in the area of inclusive play will only add to the unity that these National Games will create throughout New Jersey and the nation.” Read the full announcement

The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will take place at sporting venues throughout New Jersey, June 14 through June 21. More than 3,500 Special Olympics athletes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will compete in 17 sports. An estimated 10,000 volunteers as well as 50,000 additional spectators will be in attendance. Learn more about the games here.

 

Athlete Leadership Program

Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) allow athletes to explore opportunities for participation in roles previously considered “non-traditional.” ALP’s institutes training so that our athletes can be participants in all administrative functions of the organization. Volunteer and Coaches Training sessions are setup throughout the year to train area volunteers to work effectively with athletes to build management and engage in leadership skills in all aspects of Special Olympics. Through ALPs, athletes serve on Boards of Directors or local organizing committees. Athletes excel as spokespersons, team captains, coaches and officials.

Check out some more info here.

Thomas Claverie is is part of our Athlete Leadership Program.

St. Patty’s Day

Since St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow and everyone will be wearing green, take a picture of yourself or family wearing green with a Special Olympics Louisiana logo somewhere in the picture!  Then, send it to us by replying to this post no later than Monday, March 19th at 11am.  We will put the pictures on Facebook and let our fans decide on the best one.  The picture with the most votes wins a prize!  Let’s see how creative you all can be!

Check out some info on St. Patrick’s Day!