Hurray for Chili’s Giveback Day!

Treat yourself to a Chili’s meal and help SOGA at the same time on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Chili’s will Give Back 10 percent of what you spend to Special Olympics Georgia when you present the flyer. For a limited time, you get two entrees and one appetizer for $20! All metro Atlanta stores are participating except for Discover Mills and the airport locations. Click here for the flyer – (or go to link on webpage!)

Rugs for a Reason!

Purchase any of the three rugs online with Special Olympics designs and you’ll warm your home and heart!   Through the new Rugs for a Reason campaign, rugs created by Shaw Living, are machine woven and resistent to soil, stains and fading.

Click here for your rug. Once you choose your pattern, click on the rug and select your size.

Shaw rugs are known around the world as incredibly high-quality products. Each area rug is machine woven, not printed, and resistant to soil, stains and fading. Click here to purchase your rug.

Each of the traditional designs is available in a variety of sizes, where each can be incorporated in the most appropriate size into any size room.

Under the Paisley Over Stripes image:

 

The paisley over stripes area rug  is expected to be a favorite, as the paisley design is on the cutting edge of interior design. Add this to the bold stripes in colors that compliment any décor, from traditional to contemporary, the area rug is elegant and complimentary to any space.

Under the Circle image:

The circle design beautifully displays the Special Olympics logo, integrated into vividly colored circles of various sizes. The bold colors and modern design of the circle area rug are on trend and fitting for any style of home décor.

 

Under the blocks and vines image:

The blocks and vines area rug combines two transitional elements that are right in line with the design trends in today’s homes. In this Shaw Living area rug, the Special Olympics logo is integrated subtly into the design to perfectly compliment the vines which scroll through classic blocks of color.

 

Sizes and prices (shipping included for continental US):

4 x 6 rugs, $199

5 x 8 rugs, $349

8 x 10 rugs, $549

 Click here for your rug! Once your choose  your pattern, click on the rug and then select your size.

Rugs For A Reason is presented by Paul Prince of DOOR TO DOOR FLOORS. Through a strong partnership with Special Olympics, and Shaw Living, Paul designed a way for supporters of Special Olympics to show their support and warm their homes and hearts. Paul’s desire is to advocate for those individuals who deserve a chance to expand their abilities through Special Olympics and show the world their capabilities.

 

An avid supporter of Special Olympics, Paul and his family have dedicated time and finances to Special Olympics. He and his wife, whose nephew has severe intellectual disabilities, have volunteered at Special Olympics events and work in the special needs class at their church.

Purchase a Rug for a Reason

Athletes invited to design a rug

Take Part in the Shaw Design-A-Rug Challenge

Georgia Special Olympics athletes invited to submit a creative rug design! As a proud sponsor of the Special Olympics Georgia 2011 State Fall Games, Shaw Industries is introducing the Shaw Design-A-Rug Challenge. All Special Olympics Georgia participants are invited to submit a creative rug design that could be chosen to appear on a real area rug. The winner will receive a 5’x8’ area rug showcasing their creative design, and the same rug will also be donated to our Special Olympics Georgia headquarters, where it will be put on display for all to see! This is a wonderful opportunity for all athletes to get their creative juices flowing. We hope you’ll take part.

Click here for the Design-A-Rug Challenge form attached. Get started today, and send your design in by mail. Athletes will also have a chance to complete the form during the Opening Ceremony event, Friday, October 21, at the Trade Center in Dalton, Ga. Contact Christina Connally Honkonen with questions. Email her at Christina.honkonen@shawinc.com or call her at 706.275.1710.

State Fall Games 2011

See you at Joe’s Crab Shack on October 20th!!

Join your area law enforcement or volunteers as they serve up seafood at all five Georgia Joe’s Crab Shacks on Thursday, October, 20th. Dine out for our athletes and help support your local officers as they wait on you! All tips received by the cops goes directly back to SOGA. Also 10 percent of your bill comes back to SOGA as well. Thanks to the generosity of Joe’s Crab Shack! This is your chance to get to know your local law enforcement and see them serving, dancing and maybe even singing! A night to not be missed!
Be sure to visit the following locations.
Please click on the location that you will be visiting to print a copy of the flyer to bring in to benefit Special Olympics Georgia:
Douglasville: 2868 Chapel Hill Road (Douglasville Police Department)
Duluth: 1590 Pleasant Hill Road (Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office)
Kennesaw: 2501 Cobb Place Blvd (Kennesaw Police Department)
Morrow: 1965 Mt. Zion Road (Canton Police Department)
Lilburn: 4300 Highway 78 (MARTA Police Department)

 

For more information, contact Danny Knight at danny.knight@specialolympicsga.org or 770-414-9390 x119.

Memorials and Tributes Summer 2011-Champions

Donations were made in honor or in memory of the following people:

In Memory of: James J. Anglin, Wendy Atkins, John Bath, Karen Bath, Frank Blalock, Mary Branch, Deborah Buckley, William P. Corder, Laurie Davis, Hilda Downey, Rosemary Gannon, Jean Graves, Wyatt R. Hartle,  Victor James, Deirdre Ryan, Betty Shaw, Betty Shellman Shaw, Brittany Sparks, and Margaret Wade.

In Honor of:  Carrie R. Crayton, Daniel Hester, Renae Wadler, and Elena Weaver.

What’s next-Georgia’s Champions Summer 2011

State Fall Games Oct. 21-23:

Nestled in the north Georgia mountains is the city of Dalton, where athletes will compete at State Fall Games Oct. 21-23. Softball, cycling, long distance walking and running and bocce competitions will be held at the beautiful Heritage Point Park and golf competitions will be held at Nob North Golf Course. Opening Ceremony will be held at Dalton Trade Center.
Click for
a schedule
volunteer information
information about how to be a sponsor.

Polar Plunge

Gutsy and warm-hearted people collect pledges in exchange for the opportunity to jump into icy waters of Lake Lanier Feb. 18th. All proceeds collected by “plungers” will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Georgia. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, highest fundraiser, highest fundraising team, and more! Everybody plunges: mayors, law enforcement officers, news anchors, sports figures, corporate teams, civic clubs, high school and college students and many more. For those who do not love the Polar Bear habitat, we will have areas to keep you warm – such as heated areas, warm concessions, and fun souvenirs.  Of course there is always room for more hesitant souls who just wish to be spectators! Click here to get started.

NEW: Over the Edge

Ever wondered if you had what it takes to be fearless and face new challenges head-on? Well, here’s your chance! Next Spring (April 2012) join more than 80 “edgers” who are brave enough to raise $1,000 to rappel over the edge of a 16+story building for Special Olympics Georgia. Click here for the link for more information about Over the Edge.

Next spring, you can experience the challenge, the bravery and the exhilaration of participating in an event that takes you out of your comfort zone and ultimately changes your life forever – the same thing our Special Olympics athletes experience every day.

With this first-year event, Special Olympics Georgia is looking for a few good men and women to make their mark in history while supporting the most credible charity in America. This is your opportunity to experience first-hand what it means to face a challenge that initially seems quite daunting but at the same time celebrates the challenges and similarities we all share in life. It is your chance to show our athletes your courage and your support of what they experience daily.

The Facts:
Who: 80 participants (men, women, children; 100 to 300 lbs)
What: Raise a minimum of $1000 for the chance to rappel down a 16+ story building
When: April 20-21, 2012
Where: Atlanta
Why: To raise much-needed funds to support the year-round training and competition for more than 23,620 Special Olympics Georgia athletes

Want to be a coach?
Our Special Olympians need proper training from devoted coaches and assistant coaches.  Coaches go through a short training/certification session that will explain what is expected and what to expect during training.
Below are a few upcoming clinics and the SOGA staff member you should contact to sign up:

Sept. 9-10     Carrollton    General Orientation Bocce Softball Athletics Rhythmic Gymnastics  Basketball Unified Sports Contact: Kelli.Britt@SpecialOlympicsGA.org

Sept. 16-17     Albany            General Orientation Tennis Softball Flag Football Aquatics Volleyball GMS    Young Athletes Contact:  David.Crawford@specialolympicsga.org

Sept. 23-24   Gwinnett Co.    General Orientation Floor Hockey Softball Basketball Bocce Bowling Unified Sports   Coaching SO Athletes

Sept. 30-Oct. 1    Troup Co.       General Orientation   Aquatics Volleyball Rhythmic Gymnastics  Golf   Basketball Unified Sports   Young Athletes Contact: David.Crawford@SpecialOlympicsGA.org

Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Glynn Co.        General Orientation  Golf Athletics Aquatics Bowling  Rollerskating GMS Young Athletes Contact: David.Crawford@specialolympics.ga

Oct. 7-8           Augusta         General Orientation Bocce Cycling Basketball Softball       Athletics and Unified Sports Contact Kelli.Britt@SpecialOlympicsGA.org

STATE FALL GAMES – Oct. 21-23

OCTOBER 21-23…What time of year is it when you have softball, bocce, cylcling, golf, and long distance walking/running competions all in one place? Answer: SPECIAL OLYMPICS GEORGIA STATE FALL GAMES!! Break out the long sleeved shirts and sweaters, because this year’s Fall Games will be held in Dalton, GA on October 21-23. You won’t want to miss out on this competition weekend!

For more information about 2011 State Fall Games, contact David Crawford.
David. Crawford@specialolympicsga.org (770)414-9390, ext. 103

For volunteer information, contact Leslie Anderson.
Leslie.Anderson@specialolympicsga.org (770)414-9390, ext. 120

For sponsorship information contact Celestine Patton.
Celestine.Hankerson@specialolympicsga.org (770)414-9390, ext. 121

Masters Bowling/Horse Show 2011

It’s that time again! Masters Bowling and Horse Show are right around the corner. Both events will be held  August 19-21. Masters Bowling in Warner Robins and Horse Show in Perry. The themes for these state events will be “Rock & Roll” for Masters Bowling and “Superheros” for Horse Show. Below you will find links to the Masters Bowling and Horse Show pages with further information and the general schedule for each event.

Masters Bowling

Horse Show

Also, if you would like to volunteer for either of these events, please click here for more information or contact Leslie Anderson at leslie.anderson@specialolympicsga.org or call her at 770-414-9390, ext. 120.