Special Olympics Georgia and Publix Super Markets Light the Torch for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities
The annual Torch Icon Campaign brings awareness and raises money to support Special Olympics athletes throughout the southeast United States
CLERMONT, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2024) – Special Olympics Georgia and Publix Super Markets are teaming up once again on a mission-driven collaboration to help Special Olympics athletes throughout the southeast United States.
From January 12 through 21, 2024, the organizations will hold the annual Torch Icon Campaign, bringing together Publix associates, customers and communities across the southeast United States to support hundreds of thousands of athletes. The first Torch Icon Campaign was held in 1993.
During the campaign, customers who visit their local Publix can help support their state’s athletes with a simple donation. Participating states are Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
All customers who donate will receive over $35 in coupon savings, including exclusive savings on Procter & Gamble brands like Crest, Always, Olay, Old Spice, Gillette and Pampers. Donations can be made at the register during check out for as little as $1 or a specific desired amount.
Since 1993, more than $71 million dollars has been raised through the Torch Icon Campaign, helping Special Olympics athletes to develop their physical and mental wellness, demonstrate courage and experience the power of sports with their family, friends and their local communities.
Both Special Olympics and Publix have a long history of working to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics offers year-round sports training and competition, critical health services, leadership development, and inclusive programming for its athletes. Publix employs many of those athletes and, for decades, has encouraged people with disabilities to become Publix associates.
“Special Olympics Georgia is so excited and appreciative of this year’s Publix campaign to benefit the 18,546 registered athletes,” said Georgia Milton-Sheats, CEO of Special Olympics Georgia. “The customers, associates and managers of Publix continue to show their generous support of the organization, the mission and the courageous athletes, and that support continues to be instrumental in our overall success.”
Special Olympics serves athletes with intellectual disabilities who compete at the local, state, national and international levels. In addition to training and competition for these athletes, it provides free medical screenings through its health programs, including much needed access to free prescription glasses and hearing aids.
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About Special Olympics
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training, competition, health services, and leadership programs to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympics.org.
About Publix Super Markets
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 250,000 associates, currently operates more than 1,300 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. For 24 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.
2025 Polar Plunge-February 22, 2025
by David CrawfordThe Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Georgia is an annual fundraising event where participants take a brave dip into cold water, usually in the winter months, to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA). The event invites individuals, teams, and organizations to pledge or raise funds for the Special Olympics programs, and in exchange, they take part in the “plunge” into chilly waters, typically in a lake, ocean, or pool that is specially set up for the occasion.
The Polar Plunge serves as one of the signature events for Special Olympics Georgia, helping to provide funding for the organization’s year-round sports training and competition programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participants are often encouraged to fundraise by getting sponsorships from friends, family, and colleagues.
The event is not only about the plunge itself but also about creating community involvement and support for the athletes of Special Olympics. It’s a fun, chilly way to show solidarity with the athletes and raise awareness for the cause. Many of the plunges are accompanied by festivities such as costume contests, games, and other family-friendly activities, making it a lively, inclusive experience.
Overall, the Polar Plunge is both a symbolic and impactful event, combining a daring challenge with a charitable cause, helping to ensure that athletes of all ages and abilities can continue to participate in Special Olympics programs throughout Georgia.
For Sponsorship levels click the link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V0X2-ig4y9HANBn6XnGh0nZR6orEMQlK/view?usp=drive_link
To sign up to take the plunge, create your page here https://charity.pledgeit.org/GAPolarPlunge
2024 State Fall Games Rescheduled for November 22 – 23
by David CrawfordSpecial Olympics Georgia (SOGA) is excited to announce that the 2024 State Fall Games make-up date is set for Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd. All schedules will remain the same, except reflecting the new dates. SOGA will provide updated schedules, brackets and the information guide to all agencies and volunteers within the next few days. SOGA will also post this update on the SOGA website and social media pages. SOGA is also continuing communication with Quiet Pines Golf Course, to ensure that the conditions of the golf course will allow SOGA to host the golf venue on Saturday, November 23rd. As soon as that is confirmed, SOGA will notify programs with golf delegates.
Agencies need to let SOGA know by this Friday, October 18th, 2024, if your agency is attending with the same registered delegates OR your agency is scratching from games. This is extremely important, so that SOGA has the time to adjust all sports divisions and release hotel rooms.
HOD’s, please share this information with all your delegates and their families.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s Birthday July 10th
by David CrawfordJuly 10th –– on what would have been our founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s 103rd birthday –we want to share a special opportunity to celebrate her legacy and athletes everywhere.
Thanks to our Founding Partner, The Coca-Cola Company, when you make a donation before midnight, it will be DOUBLED to help people with intellectual disabilities become champions on and off the field.
Christmas in July Fun Run – Benefiting Special Olympics Georgia
by David CrawfordChristmas July 2024 Flyer Updated
2024 Cops on Donut Shops Re-cap Video
by David CrawfordClick Here to view the Cops on Donut Shops Video
2024 Bob Busse Memorial Golf Classic
by David CrawfordDust off your clubs and come out to the 29th Annual Bob Busse Memorial Golf Classic on November 11, 2024 at the Roswell Country Club! This year’s event will prove to be a memorable experience. Our goal this year is to raise $110,000 that will go straight to helping Special Olympics Georgia’s 18,646 athletes to participate and grow from all we have to offer as an organization.
Sponsorship will help raise monies that will directly offset more than $1,019,445 in expenses associated with Special Olympics Georgia’s State Games and other athlete programs, including lodging, meals, travel expenses, and more!
Schedule of Events:
Registration, Breakfast, and Warmup will begin at 9 a.m.
The Shotgun Start will begin at 10 a.m.
Each golfer will receive:
To register for this event, please click here to download the Sponsorship & Registration Form!
Roswell Country Club is located at 2500 Country Club Drive, Roswell, GA 30076
For questions and more information about this event, please contact (770) 414-9390
2024 SOGA Recruitment Video
by David Crawford2024 Publix Torch Icon Media Release
by David CrawfordSpecial Olympics Georgia and Publix Super Markets Light the Torch for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities
The annual Torch Icon Campaign brings awareness and raises money to support Special Olympics athletes throughout the southeast United States
CLERMONT, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2024) – Special Olympics Georgia and Publix Super Markets are teaming up once again on a mission-driven collaboration to help Special Olympics athletes throughout the southeast United States.
From January 12 through 21, 2024, the organizations will hold the annual Torch Icon Campaign, bringing together Publix associates, customers and communities across the southeast United States to support hundreds of thousands of athletes. The first Torch Icon Campaign was held in 1993.
During the campaign, customers who visit their local Publix can help support their state’s athletes with a simple donation. Participating states are Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
All customers who donate will receive over $35 in coupon savings, including exclusive savings on Procter & Gamble brands like Crest, Always, Olay, Old Spice, Gillette and Pampers. Donations can be made at the register during check out for as little as $1 or a specific desired amount.
Since 1993, more than $71 million dollars has been raised through the Torch Icon Campaign, helping Special Olympics athletes to develop their physical and mental wellness, demonstrate courage and experience the power of sports with their family, friends and their local communities.
Both Special Olympics and Publix have a long history of working to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics offers year-round sports training and competition, critical health services, leadership development, and inclusive programming for its athletes. Publix employs many of those athletes and, for decades, has encouraged people with disabilities to become Publix associates.
“Special Olympics Georgia is so excited and appreciative of this year’s Publix campaign to benefit the 18,546 registered athletes,” said Georgia Milton-Sheats, CEO of Special Olympics Georgia. “The customers, associates and managers of Publix continue to show their generous support of the organization, the mission and the courageous athletes, and that support continues to be instrumental in our overall success.”
Special Olympics serves athletes with intellectual disabilities who compete at the local, state, national and international levels. In addition to training and competition for these athletes, it provides free medical screenings through its health programs, including much needed access to free prescription glasses and hearing aids.
###
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training, competition, health services, and leadership programs to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympics.org.
About Publix Super Markets
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 250,000 associates, currently operates more than 1,300 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. For 24 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.
2024 State Indoor Winter Games & S.E. Powerlifting Press Release
by David CrawfordContact:
Maurissa Dugger
Communications and Public Relations Manager
maurissa.dugger@specialolympicsga.org
Ph: 770-414-9390 ext. 1117
Special Olympics Georgia to Host the 2024 State Indoor Winter Games
& Southeast Powerlifting
Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) is elated to host the 2024 State Indoor Winter Games on Friday, January 26th, and Saturday, January 27th at the LakePoint Sports Complex and several other locations across Cobb and Bartow Counties. SOGA is thrilled to welcome all athletes, coaches, sponsors, and volunteers. Athletes from across the state of Georgia will experience friendly competition in Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball, Bowling, Floor Hockey, and Powerlifting.
Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) will host the Southeast Powerlifting on Saturday, January 27th at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest. SOGA is excited to welcome all athletes, coaches, sponsors, and volunteers. Athletes from across the state of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee will participate in friendly competition and exhibit good sportsmanship in Deadlift, Bench Press, Squat, Push/Pull, and Full Power.
The competitions will begin on the morning of Friday, January 26th at various locations across Cobb and Bartow Counties. Olympic Town will kick off on Saturday, January 27th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at LakePoint Sports Complex on court 10. Athletes will also complete multiple Healthy Athletes screenings including Fit Feet, Special Smiles, Opening Eyes and Healthy Hearing. Through these Healthy Athletes disciplines, SOGA athletes will have free evaluations in multiple disciplines. All athletes who fully complete all Healthy Athlete screenings will be entered to win a brand-new FitBit and Chick-Fil-A gift cards!
Special Olympics Georgia would like to thank our State Sponsors: Publix, UPS, Dunwoody Country Club, Marlow’s Tavern, Winter Construction, Knights of Columbus, Georgia State Council, and The Coca-Cola Company for their dedicated support and loyalty to our athletes.
Special Olympics Georgia would also like to recognize the Presenting Sponsor for the 2024 State Indoor Winter Games: Winter Construction.
For more information on State Indoor Winter Games & Southeast Powerlifting, contact Director of Sports, Liz Smith, at Liz.Smith@specialOlympicsGa.org.
About Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA)
SOGA provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 18,546 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 Olympics athletes, and the community. For more information, visit. www.SpecialOlympicsGa.org
2024 Hot Chocolate Run, Atlanta, GA
by David Crawford