Being from South Louisiana, most of us do not get the privilege to learn a new sport on ice. But, last week, at the Special Olympics North America Conference, one of our athletes, a partner, and a few staff members did just that! What sport you ask? Curling of course!
Though we bit the dust (excuse me, ice) a few times in the beginning, we ended up learning a new sport and having a blast doing so!
Now here is the BIG question… Where can we find an ice rink in south Louisiana!
Did you know that during our State competitions, athletes can go through the Health Promotion discipline? It’s true! Athletes have the opportunity to learn about how to eat and drink healthier, the benefits of NOT smoking, and how to stay active outside with out being in the sun to long. This all falls under the umbrella (ella, ella!) of Healthy Athletes! 
Pretty cool, huh?
If you want to volunteer for Health Promotion at our next state event (State Fall Classic) in October, click here to register. Then, simply click the ‘Saturday’ tab and select Healthy Athletes!
You can learn more here.
**Below is a guest post from Kevin Collins, Director of Sports & Competition**
Before leaving, I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed my time here and I will miss everyone. I appreciate all of the love and support you have provided me over the past 5 years and want to thank you for it. I have shared a special bond 
with many of you and I shall take away with me special memories of our time together.
I want to give a special shout out to all of the Special Olympics Athletes. I love you guys. Continue to excel!
– Kevin Collins
July 28th is National Parents Day and we love our parents! Many of our parents are coaches and volunteers and we would like to thank them for everything they do, BIG and small!
Did you know Special Olympics has a program for children ages 2 – 7? It is called the Young Athletes Program and it is an innovative sports play program for children with intellectual disabilities, designed to introduce them to the world of sports prior to Special Olympics eligibility at age 8.
Mark your calendars for November 1st! Whether you are fearless or looking to overcome your fears, NOLA Over the Edge: SWAT Edition is the challenge for you! This event is the Ultimate Adrenaline Rush! November 1, 2013 participants will get the opportunity to RAPPEL 25 stories down NOLA’s Benson Tower, RIDE in a helicopter & SWAT train with Louisiana’s finest at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Training Facility, while raising much needed funds for Special Olympics Louisiana athletes! Learn more
It’s hot outside and its hot inside the SOLA H.E.A.T.!
The latest SOLA (Special Olympics Louisiana) H.E.A.T. (Helping Every Athlete Triumph) newsletter is now available on our website. View the current version here
The SOLA H.E.A.T. is a quarterly newsletter that goes out to all families, coaches and athletes about the latest and greatest events. To sign up to receive this newsletter email us. If you have a story or an athlete you would like to see in the newsletter, tell us about it!
Our sponsors share our brand values. Together we succeed in creating a lasting positive impact. Consumers recognize us as a brand deserving respect, loyalty and good will. We are proud to call the below companies/foundations our sponsors:
Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors
Medallion Sponsors
Valero Energy
Louisiana Masons
Bronze Medal Sponsors
Louisiana Sheriff’s Association
Huntington Ingalls Industries
SOLA’s original 11 athletes from 1968
This weekend, Saturday, July 20th marks our 45th anniversary! Special Olympics Louisiana was founded on July 20, 1968 with 11 athletes and 4 coaches participating in athletics and aquatics. Today, 45 years later we have 13,706 athletes and 2,633 coaches participating in over 17 sports. We are proud of where we have come from. Thank you to all who had a part in helping us get here!
“We can choose to be affected by the World or we can choose to affect the World.” – Heidi Wills
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