Second straight year this SOGA double-event is being held in “Poultry Capital of the World”
Atlanta – October 1, 2015 – For the second straight year, Gainesville and the Hall County area will be the site for two of Special Olympics Georgia’s biggest events each year – the State Fall Games and the State Horse Show.
This double-event is set for next weekend, Oct. 9-11 at four different venues in the Gainesville area. Nearly 2,500 athletes and unified partners will travel for the State Fall games to compete in bocce, cycling, golf and softball. Venues for the State Fall Games are North Hall Park (bocce and softball), Laurel Park (softball and cycling) and Chicopee Woods Golf Course.
In addition, approximately 240 athletes will participate in the State Horse show, which will be held at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center. Riders will be competing in events such as dressage, horsemanship, showmanship, western riding and unified drill team.
The Opening Ceremony for both events will be on Friday, Oct. 9, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The State Fall Games’ Opening Ceremony will take place at Gainesville Middle School, while Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center will host the State Horse Show Opening Ceremony.
The State Fall Games and the State Horse Show are both free and open to the public.
“Special Olympics Georgia is excited to be back in Gainesville/Hall County for the State Fall Games and Horse Show,” said Special Olympics Georgia CEO Georgia Milton-Sheats. “Over 2,000 athletes from around the state will be traveling to Gainesville to compete and they will be going for the gold! The Gainesville community has been so welcoming and supportive and we hope to see many of you in the stands and cheering on the athletes.
“Thank you, Gainesville, for being fans of the athletes.”
In addition to the competition itself, there will also be Olympic Town on Saturday, Oct. 10, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. inside the North Hall Park Community Center gymnasium, where athletes can enjoy games, crafts, snacks and more. Athletes will have their balance, strength and flexibility measured by physical therapists for free.
There will also be a Young Athletes demonstration at Olympic Town for any children, ages 2-7, with and without intellectual disabilities. Here, children will go through quick stations that teach sports skills, prepare these Young Athletes for future competition and encourage cognitive and motor development.
Olympic Town at the State Horse Show will also be on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Activity Hall of the Agricultural Center. It will feature arts and crafts.
Special Olympics Georgia would like to thank the three Presenting Sponsors for the two events – Lockheed Martin for the State Fall Games and Farm Bureau and Dr. Chris Claire and Family for the State Horse Show.
Those interested in volunteering should contact whitney.warren@specialolympicsga,org. For more information and a schedule, please visit www.specialolympicsga.org.
About Special Olympics Georgia SOGA provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 26,702 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 Olympic athletes and the community. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsga.org.
2018 Over the Edge
by David CrawfordEver wondered if you had what it takes to be fearless and face new challenges head-on?
Join us Saturday, May 5th as we go “Over the Edge” for Special Olympics Georgia!
Over the Edge is an exclusive opportunity for individuals to take their support of Special Olympics Georgia athletes to new heights. In exchange for raising money, participants will earn the rare experience of stepping Over the Edge and rappelling down Overlook III Building in Vinings! This exciting even benefits the year-round training training and competition for more than 27, 115 Special Olympics Georgia athletes!
If you are interested in participating, becoming a sponsor or would like more information, please contact Ally Jordan at (770) 414-9390 x 1118 or visit our Registration Page.
SOGA Athlete Nandi Isaac appointed to Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
by David CrawfordNandi Isaac
ATLANTA – November 13, 2015 – Georgia Governor Nathan Deal appointed 23 people to various statewide boards this week, and one of those appointees was Special Olympics Georgia athlete Nandi Isaac.
The Macon resident was one of seven people who were appointed to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. The mission of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia communities.
Born in the United Arab Emirates and of Indian origin, Isaac moved to Georgia with her family when she was six months old. She has been competing in Special Olympics Georgia for more than 20 years. It started at the age of nine with swimming, and has since broadened to include athletics, roller skating, sailing, equestrian, ice skating, hockey and basketball. Isaac will be competing in January in basketball at the SOGA 2016 State Indoor Winter Games.
Isaac has become a spokesperson and advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. Her various advocacy roles include being a partner in policymaking for All About Developmental Disabilities and has completed training in peer-to-peer support. Isaac is also a member of the Region 2 Quality Improvement Council of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and also serves on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council.
A self-made businesswoman, Isaac owns the microenterprise “ScanWithNan,” which helps people preserve their memories through photos. For more information on “ScanWithNan,” go to www.scanwithnan.com.
Give a Gift. Change a Life. Make Your Year-End Donation Today
by David CrawfordAnd as an added bonus, through December 31, our partner Finish Line will match your tax-deductible donation, dollar for dollar, up to a campaign total of $200,000. This “Ignite the Change” Matching Fund will double the impact of every dollar you give. This means Special Olympics Georgia will be able to do more for our athletes … reach farther to engage new athletes … and show the world more than ever what people with intellectual disabilities can accomplish.
Please don’t wait, make your matching holiday and year-end gift today.
2015 State Fall Games
by David CrawfordFormer Atlanta Falcon Buddy Curry to serve as Grand Marshal for Special Olympics Georgia 2016 State Indoor Winter Games
by David CrawfordBuddy Curry
ATLANTA – November 4, 2015 – Special Olympics Georgia confirmed on Wednesday that former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry will serve as the Grand Marshal for the upcoming 2016 State Indoor Winter Games. The Games will take place January 22-24 in the Marietta/Cobb County area.
“We are extremely honored to have someone like Buddy Curry serve as the Grand Marshal for these State Indoor Winter Games,” said Special Olympics Georgia Communications and Marketing Manager Lee Wright. “As a boy growing up, I have great memories of when Buddy played for the Falcons. Since then, he’s been a pillar in the Atlanta area with his involvement in youth sports and football development.
“I know he’s excited about this great opportunity, and our organization is excited that he will be a part of our Winter Games. Our sincere thanks to Brenda Johnston and the Atlanta Falcons Alumni Department for helping make this happen.”
A native of Greenville, N.C., Curry was an All-ACC linebacker under head coach Dick Crum at North Carolina from 1975-1979. While at North Carolina, he was teammate of future NFL Hall of Fame outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Selected by the Falcons and head coach Leeman Bennett in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft, Curry immediately became one of the cornerstones to the Falcons’ “Gritz Blitz” defense. In his rookie season, he was selected NFC All-Pro and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, helping the Falcons win the NFC West Division with a 12-4 record. Curry was also an NFC All-Pro in 1982. His playing career spanned eight seasons with the Falcons, with the last season coming in 1987.
Since his playing days concluded, Curry founded the non-profit corporation Kids & Pros, a character-based youth sports organization that engages retired NFL Players in their communities to teach football fundamental skills & character lessons to youth ages 7–13. Under his leadership, Kids & Pros has become one of the fastest-growing interactive community programs in the country, using an approach that emphasizes football fundamental, position specific training, and character development.
In addition, Curry also serves as a Master Trainer for USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the National Football League. He and his wife, Dawn, live in Buford and have four children – Justin, Jessel, David and Gabby. Jessel originally signed with Auburn as a linebacker, but transferred and finished his collegiate career at Delaware. David is a freshman linebacker this season at Georgia Tech.
About Special Olympics Georgia SOGA provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 26,702 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 Olympic athletes and the community. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsga.org.
2015 State Fall Games – Olympic Town
by David Crawford2015 State Horse Show
by David Crawford2015 State Horse Show
by David CrawfordGainesville set to host both State Fall Games and Horse Show for Special Olympics Georgia
by David CrawfordSecond straight year this SOGA double-event is being held in “Poultry Capital of the World”
Atlanta – October 1, 2015 – For the second straight year, Gainesville and the Hall County area will be the site for two of Special Olympics Georgia’s biggest events each year – the State Fall Games and the State Horse Show.
This double-event is set for next weekend, Oct. 9-11 at four different venues in the Gainesville area. Nearly 2,500 athletes and unified partners will travel for the State Fall games to compete in bocce, cycling, golf and softball. Venues for the State Fall Games are North Hall Park (bocce and softball), Laurel Park (softball and cycling) and Chicopee Woods Golf Course.
The Opening Ceremony for both events will be on Friday, Oct. 9, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The State Fall Games’ Opening Ceremony will take place at Gainesville Middle School, while Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center will host the State Horse Show Opening Ceremony.
The State Fall Games and the State Horse Show are both free and open to the public.
“Special Olympics Georgia is excited to be back in Gainesville/Hall County for the State Fall Games and Horse Show,” said Special Olympics Georgia CEO Georgia Milton-Sheats. “Over 2,000 athletes from around the state will be traveling to Gainesville to compete and they will be going for the gold! The Gainesville community has been so welcoming and supportive and we hope to see many of you in the stands and cheering on the athletes.
“Thank you, Gainesville, for being fans of the athletes.”
In addition to the competition itself, there will also be Olympic Town on Saturday, Oct. 10, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. inside the North Hall Park Community Center gymnasium, where athletes can enjoy games, crafts, snacks and more. Athletes will have their balance, strength and flexibility measured by physical therapists for free.
There will also be a Young Athletes demonstration at Olympic Town for any children, ages 2-7, with and without intellectual disabilities. Here, children will go through quick stations that teach sports skills, prepare these Young Athletes for future competition and encourage cognitive and motor development.
Olympic Town at the State Horse Show will also be on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Activity Hall of the Agricultural Center. It will feature arts and crafts.
Special Olympics Georgia would like to thank the three Presenting Sponsors for the two events – Lockheed Martin for the State Fall Games and Farm Bureau and Dr. Chris Claire and Family for the State Horse Show.
Those interested in volunteering should contact whitney.warren@specialolympicsga,org. For more information and a schedule, please visit www.specialolympicsga.org.
About Special Olympics Georgia SOGA provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 26,702 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 Olympic athletes and the community. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsga.org.
20th Annual Marlow’s Tavern Golf Classic, October 15, TPC Sugarloaf
by David CrawfordJoin us at TPC Sugarloaf for the 20th Annual Marlow’s Tavern Golf Classic benefiting SOGA. Since 1999 this annual golf tournament and Marlow’s Tavern openings have raised over $900,000 for our athletes, and this year’s tournament goal is to take it over the $1 Million mark! The fun-filled day will include a putting contest, shotgun start, hole contests, and an awards ceremony, reception and silent auction.
Click here for Available Sponsorships.
Click here for the Registration Form.
If you cannot participate in the tournament but would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to Special Olympics Georgia, write “Marlow’s” on the memo line, and mail to Susan Skolnick, Special Olympics Georgia 6046 Financial Drive, Norcross, GA 30071.
For more information, contact Susan Skolnick at (770) 414-9390 ext. 1111.
Thank you Marlow’s Tavern and past and current sponsors for your generous support over the years!