LA Gov. John Bel Edwards Joins SOLA for Annual Torch Run

Louisiana Governor, John Bel Edwards joined Special Olympics Louisiana and multiple law enforcement agencies from across the state at the 2016 Official Law Enforcement Torch Run Lighting Ceremony on Friday, May 20^th in Baton Rouge, LA. Governor Edwards pledged his support for Special Olympics and spoke of the importance of volunteering and being a champion for people with intellectual disabilities. Across the state, members of the Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run carried the “Flame of Hope” while running 1,000+ miles to raise awareness and funds that help improve the quality of life for our 14,639 athletes. This event has become the largest fundraising and media awareness event for Special Olympics worldwide! The ceremony on the Louisiana State Capitol steps kicked off the final run of the 2016 Torch Run week and led to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 State Summer Games for Special Olympics Louisiana.Thank you for your support!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Friday!

“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.”
-Knute Rockne

Help us send Cam to the Pro-Am Tournament

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Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) athlete and New Iberia resident, Camrin Sandoz, has been invited, for a 2^nd time, to participate in the 2016 Perfect Sense Pro-Am Tournament.  The tournament is June 19 – 23, 2016 in Washington DC at Congressional Country Club.

This tournament will bring together individuals from a wide array of backgrounds; combining athletes with and without intellectual disabilities and PGA legends as teammates, highlighting how inclusion and acceptance can help unite communities.

Expanding on the success of the past four years, this weeklong event will create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

We need your help to send SOLA Athlete, Camrin Sandoz and his escort to this event! Camrin just graduated Loreauville High School in Loreauville, Louisiana and is set to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall. He plays Unified Golf with Special Olympics Louisiana. Camrin trains hard, practices every day, and earned a spot on his high school golf team. He is thrilled to represent SOLA at the 2016 Perfect Sense Pro-Am Tournament and we need your help to get him there!

If we exceed our goal, we will use additional resources to build our SOLA golf program.

Click here to donate!

Welcome Mary Davis as Special Olympics International CEO!

Welcome Mary Davis as Special Olympics CEO!

Please join us and the entire Special Olympics movement in congratulating Mary Davis who, as of May 12, officially became CEO of Special Olympics!

Mary has been serving as acting CEO since last fall, taking on the role with enthusiasm and efficiency, in addition to continuing on as Regional President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia.

We echo Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver’s words: “Her dedication to our movement has been an inspiration to me and many of you for years, and I have full confidence that we will continue to benefit from her extraordinary leadership for years to come.”

Read the full message from Tim Shriver about Mary’s appointment

State Summer Games RECAP

The below paragraph is a guest post from SOLA Athlete, Channing Ewing, from our Northwest Area about this past weekends State Summer Games in Hammond, LA.

“I had a great time meeting everyone  at the Sports Awards Ceremony and on Friday night and giving winners their awards.  I had a lots of fun on Saturday at Olympic Town. I enjoyed seeing the mascots and the pets on Saturday. They were awesome and amazing. The dance was a blast as usual. If it weren’t for all of the volunteers, coaches and a host of other people, Special Olympics would not be possible. If you like what we are doing tell a friend!”

– Channing

Thank you to all of our athletes, coaches, partners, sponsors, volunteers, etc. that made State Summer Games a success! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Pictured above are SOLA Athletes Robert Eagle (left) and Channing Ewing (right) at the 2016 State Summer Games in Hammond, LA.

Fans in the Stands Needed TONIGHT!

Opening Ceremonies will be held TONIGHT, Friday, May 20th at 7:30pm in Strawberry Stadium at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. We want you to be a FAN in the Stands!  Come out and cheer on our athletes! On Saturday and Sunday, the fun continues as we start competition.  Our athletes have trained long and hard for this event and are ready to do their best. All they need is you!

Happy Thursday!

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.”

-Audrey Hepburn

Healthy Athletes

Did you know that Special Olympics Louisiana offers free health examinations for our athletes? Healthy Athletes is a large part of our organization.  Our athletes are screened in such disciplines as Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, Health Promotion, Fit Feet, Fun Fitness, and Opening Eyes.  Our athletes are screened, free of charge at our state competitions.  Athletes also receive a “goody” bag for Special Smiles and Health promotion filled with lots of great tools to keep up the good work! Come out and find the booth at our State Summer Games this Saturday May 21st at Southeastern State University!

Click here for more information.

State Summer Games this Weekend!

State Summer Games is this weekend, May 20-22!  The weekend kicks off with Capitol Steps and Lighting of the Flame of Hope which will take place in Baton Rouge at the State Capitol at 8:30 am!  Opening Ceremonies will be Friday, May 20th inside Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium at 7:30pm. Come out and see the Flame of Hope and the parade of athletes!

Then on Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, athletes will compete in several events including athletics, bocce, power lifting, track and field, and volleyball.  ALL events are free and open to the public.

Click here for more information.