SOGA in Your Community

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From athletes traveling to Athens, Greece to compete at Greece’s National Games and a Cobb County volunteer winning a national award to Cobb County athletes having a spotlight at a partner organization’s event; Special Olympics is always moving.

Thirty-year-volunteer Kittie Caston was recognized with the national Point of Light Award. Being deaf, Kittie has made a life out of  giving those with disabilities the opportunity to shine. She strives to help children and adults with intellectual disabilities learn discipline, confidence and demonstrate courage through her work with Special Olympics Georgia.The Point of Light Award honors individuals and volunteer groups around the country that have made a committment to help meet critical needs in the community. The award was created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

A SOGA family, volunteer and local program were recognized for outstanding work in the community at Indoor Winter State Games Opening Ceremony Jan. 15. The Distinguished Service Award winners are: the Isabell Family of Fayette County, Outstanding Family; Karen Carter; Outstanding Adult Volunteer; and Lowdnes County/Valdosta in Area 15, Outstanding Local Program.

Rhythmic gymnasts Elena Weaver, Dana Misitano, Lani DeMello and Karen Davis were selected to join 31 other United States Special Olympics athletes to compete in the Hellas National Games in Athens, Greece, at the end of May. All four athletes are at the highest level of Special Olympics rhythmic gymnastics. Ana DeMello will be the coach for the team. Gymnastics expert and coach Cindy Bickman will serve as the technical delegate.

The athletes have also been asked to demonstrate their Level 4 routines for international judges who will judge the rhythmic gymnastics competition at 2011 World Games in Athens. The judges will use the opportunity to complete their Special Olympics judges’ training.

Cobb County athletes:  Michael Ball,  Sean Concepcion, Marko Crncevic, Justin Erb, Daunte Lloyd, Maria Owmby,  had the spotlight at Dream Makers Youth Foundation’s  Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball last month in Smyrna. The athletes were cheered on by fans as the practiced lay-ups during an intermission.

SOGA is excited about its partnership with Dream Makers Foundation,  a nonprofit organization that provides community-based education, recreation and therapeutic services to preschool through high school-aged children with special needs throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Dream Makers offers free tennis lessons to children with special needs two Saturdays a month at the Universal Tennis Academy from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. If interested, call (678) 398-6693. Dream Makers also has a tutoring program within schools, if interested in one at your school e-mail dreammakersyf@aol.com.