Georgia's ChampionsMay 2017's Triumphs On and Off the Field

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Athletes Around GeorgiaCompetition and Compassion: How One Summer GamesAthlete Excels at Both

It was eight years ago when Special Olympics Georgia Forsyth County wasintroduced to Britt Hall: SOGA athlete, Georgia Aquarium employee and avidGeorgia Sports fan. "The first sport I started competing in with Special Olympicswas softball. I was with the Forsyth Golden Gloves, and we were a pretty goodteam," commented Britt as he reflected on his first state games.

Since then, the multi-sport athlete has competed in much more than softball.

Britt has gone on to compete and excel in ice speed skating, bocce, basketball,

athletics, table tennis, volleyball and flag football during his Special Olympics

Georgia career. This year, the decorated athlete will return to the 2017 State

Summer Games as a member of the Forsyth County Mean Machine, one of

the county's flag football teams, and while the word "mean" may be in their

name, it is certainly not in the team's attitude. "We want to win gold, but we

want to be nice to the other teams and encourage them. They are our friends

and have worked just as hard," explained Britt.

While athletes are encouraged to try their very best and go for the gold, SpecialOlympics Georgia focuses on the lessons and ideals of sportsmanship andfriendship during competitions. "Special Olympics Georgia not only brings out the inner-athlete withmany of these children and adults, but gives them the reassurance and sense of community to see theircompetitors as friends," explained Jack, Britt's father.

No matter whether you are an athlete, coach, partner, family member or fan, Britt assures that

joining SOGA at the 2017 State Summer Games will be a rewarding experience for all. "I think there

is a lesson for everyone who competes, volunteers or watches the Summer Games this year," said

Britt.

The 2017 State Summer Games are May 19 - May 21, 2017 at Emory University. Athletes from

across the state will come to Atlanta to compete in aquatics, athletics, flag football, gymnastics,

soccer, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. The State Summer Games are free and open to the public

to enjoy. Cl ick her e for event in form ation, schedule of events and m oreCl ick her e for event in form ation, schedule of events and m ore!

Want to take the 2017 State Summer Games home with you? Cl ick her e to buy a 2017 StateCl ick her e to buy a 2017 State

Sum m er Gam es t- sh ir tSum m er Gam es t- sh ir t .

Our Athlete of the Month: Deon Grant

Deon GrantDeon Grant has been a Special Olympics Georgia athlete for over 10

years, participating in bocce, equestrian, alpine skiing, soccer, flag

football and basketball. Not only known to Special Olympics Georgia

Colquitt County as a tremendously talented athlete, Deon also has the

reputation of being one of the most dependable and team-oriented

individuals. These qualities add to Deon's success on and off the field.

Deon's successful career in SOGA has not been limited to just the state

of Georgia or the United States. The gold medalist was selected to

represent Team USA at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games

in Austria as an Ice Speed Skater. Deon did not disappoint, competing

and bringing home the gold medal in the 222 Meter Speed Skating event

and bringing back a fourth place ribbon in the 333 Meter Speed Skating event.

When Deon is not training and competing for SOGA, he works at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center

as a Dietary Aide. With a stellar athletic career already under his belt, Deon is excited to continue his

experience with SOGA, continuing to grow as an athlete and a member of the community.

Congratulations, Deon, on being May's Athlete of the Month!

Give a Summer Games Athlete a High $5Summer Games, May 19-21

High f ives ar e easy to spot when you ' r e at one of our StateHigh f ives ar e easy to spot when you ' r e at one of our State

Gam es. And now, you can give a vi r tual h igh f ive to ourGam es. And now, you can give a vi r tual h igh f ive to our

Sum m er Gam es ath letes thr ough our "Give an Ath lete aSum m er Gam es ath letes thr ough our "Give an Ath lete a

High $5" cam paign.High $5" cam paign.

More than 1,800 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, flag

football rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, table tennis, tennis and

volleyball at this year's Summer Games at Emory University. The cost

per athlete for the weekend is $100. Please cl ick her e to m ake aPlease cl ick her e to m ake a

"Give an Ath lete a High $5" donation to show your suppor t"Give an Ath lete a High $5" donation to show your suppor t

and help pr ovide l i fe- changing exper iences to our Sum m erand help pr ovide l i fe- changing exper iences to our Sum m er

Gam es ath letes. Gam es ath letes.

Thank you to our generous sponsors: BB Braces Braces (Presenting Sponsor), Winter Companies, Cox

Enterprises, The ALTA Foundation, American Honda Motor Company, Knights of Columbus Charities

of Georgia, Inc., ADP, Professional Sports Publications, Aetna, Arrow Exterminators, Jones Day, Engel

& Volkers Buckhead Atlanta and Atlanta North Fulton, Engel & Volkers Intown Atlanta, Brookhaven

Atlanta and North Atlanta, Nordstrom, Rotary Club of Dunwoody, Magnolia Advanced Materials, Inc,

Voya Financial, Inwood Holdings, LLC, Dragon Con, Comcast, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Siemens,

Macy's, Aon, The Smile Generation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Rural Sourcing Inc., Skanska, Augusta

Developmental Specialists, Ryan, LLC, The Men's Wearhouse, Complete Truck Bodies, Inc., Crane

Fund For Widows and Children, GreenSky Credit, Stephanie and Mark Luetters, Atlantic Capital Bank,

Crawford & Company, Levine Smith Snider & Wilson, LLC, David M. Mastro DDS PC - Alluring

Cosmetic Dentistry, The Coca-Cola Company, UPS, Idealease, 92.9 The Game, and Emory University!

Competition Corner

More than 500 Special Olympics competitions take place annually throughout Georgia. Here are some

highlights from April:

100 athletes from Fulton County, Henry County Schools, Henry County P&R, DeKalbCounty, Gwinnett County and Sports For You attended a tennis event at Dunwoody CountryClub on April 28. Athletes learned basic tennis skills and got to see some of the professionals inaction in an exhibition tennis match!Over 300 athletes attended Spring Games for Area 2 in Flowery Branch on April 28. Athletescompeted in athletics and soccer, while other individuals participated in MATP training.

The SOGA CommunityOur Volunteer of the Month: Tom Bullock

Tom Bul lock Tom Bul lock became involved with SOGA 34 years ago at

the 1983 State Summer Games in Brunswick. With no

experience with SOGA athletes or competitions prior to those

games, the organization has become a vital part of Tom's

life.

After the State Summer Games, Tom became certified to

coach softball, soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, bowling and

athletics. In Brunswick, Tom put that certification to use

coaching Masters-aged athletes (athletes 22 years or older) in

softball, volleyball and soccer.

In 1989, Tom's hard work was recognized as he was named

SOGA's Coach of the Year, as well as the head coach for

USA's Floor Hockey Team that competed at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Reno,

Nevada. Under Tom's leadership, the team won silver, being the first team to score against Special

Olympics Canada during those games.

From then on, Tom's work at World Games continued to grow. In 1991, he was named the Head

Track and Field Coach at the Special Olympics World Summer Games. He took on the role as a Floor

Hockey Official in 1997 at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, and he has continued to serve

in an official's role at six World Games and two National Games.

In addition to his roles as coach and official, Tom was an athlete mentor through the SOOPA program

and currently works with SOGA coaches as a certified clinician, directing trainings at Coaches' Clinics

in floor hockey, softball and athletics.

Congratulations, Tom, on being May's Volunteer of the Month!

Our Sponsor of the Month: BB Braces Braces

Presenting Sponsor of Summer Games

Special Olympics Georgia is very proud to recognize BB

Braces Braces as one of the newest members of our

family! BB Br aces Br acesBB Braces Br aces is a Presenting Sponsor of

the 2017 Sate Summer Games and will be providing

year-round support through in-kind media donations.

BB Braces Braces provides affordable braces and high-

quality, individualized orthodontic services in their

comfortable, state-of-the-art, conveniently-located

practices. The BB Braces Braces team has more than 100 years of combined orthodontic experience,

and they strive to go above and beyond providing basic orthodontic services. When you visit one of

their orthodontist offices, they'll sit down with you to discuss your questions about braces and provide

you with a unique, age-appropriate orthodontic treatment plan. They offer a variety of financial

options that make orthodontic care as affordable as possible. BB Braces Braces offers convenient hours

(including Saturdays) and multiple locations in Acworth, Hiram, Covington, Marietta and McDonough.

Special Olympics Georgia is grateful to have been welcomed into the BB Br aces Br acesBB Braces Br aces family and

deeply appreciates their generosity. Thank you, BB Braces Braces, for your support and belief in our

mission and athletes!

Help Us Build Our New Home!

To better serve YOU - our athletes, families,

volunteers and friends - we are building a one-of-

a-kind training facility and administrative space

called Training for Life: Sports Lab & Center. this

state-of-the-art new home will include a

gymnasium and training space for athletes,

gathering space for communities, and

administrative support for our staff and

volunteers to better serve more than 27,000 athletes!

To make this project a reality, we are fundraising $5.5 million through our first ever capital

campaign. We've raised more than $4.9 million, and we need YOUR help to finish this project. The

new facility will include a time capsule - to be opened in 50 years - to commemorate this important

step for our SOGA family and the many stories that make up our great work.

Through a donation of $50, you can include your story in this time capsule and forever be a part of

SOGA's history. Cl ick her e to cem ent your spot in SOGA's for ever h istor y.Cl ick her e to cem ent your spot in SOGA's for ever h istor y.

Fundraising Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to help identify and/or approach

potential corporate sponsors and individual donors for

State Games and fundraising events. This is an extremely

important component to the success of these events. By

generating new ideas and discovering new opportunities

that can help us meet or exceed our revenue goals, you

will make a vital contribution to SOGA. For more

information, contact Susan Skoln ickSusan Skoln ick at (770) 414-9390

ext. 111.

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in joining the SOGA community? Click below to see all the great ways you can give your

time to SOGA events, competitions and athletes, or contact Liz Sm ithLiz Sm ith or Pau l McNei lPau l McNei l :

State Masters Bowling Tournament - On August 18-20, athletes over the age of 22 will gatherin Warner Robins to battle it out to be named Georgia's top bowler. Volunteers are needed to helpat the tournament and be a fan! To apply to volunteer, please click here.

Special Olympics Colleges - College students and higher education professionals are invited tojoin a movement to bring awareness and volunteerism for SOGA to college campuses acrossGeorgia. To apply or learn more about SO Colleges, please click here.Coaching Opportunities - Whether you are looking to become a coach with SOGA or just get re-certified, SOGA has opportunities for you. Click here to find out about what you need to be acoach or to learn about the certification process. Coaches are required to be re-certified in anysport every three years. For more information, contact Kelli Britt at (770) 414-9390 ext. 117. Tobe re-certified in a specific area, click one or more of the following links:Unified SportsSpecial Olympics AthletesPrinciples of CoachingConcussion in SportsAutism Spectrum DisorderClick here to learn more about our required protective behaviors training.Click here to learn about SOGA's volunteer screening policy.

SOGA Events

The Georgia Renaissance Fest ivalThe Georgia Renaissance Fest ivalApr i l 15 - June 4Apr i l 15 - June 4

The Georgia Renaissance Festival will take placeon Saturdays and Sundays April 15 - June 4. UseUseprom o code "Special to pur chase ticketsprom o code "Special to pur chase ticketsat a discounted pr iceat a discounted pr ice: adults $16.50(regularly $22) and children 6-12 $6.95(regularly $10).

In addition, for anyone who uses the promocode "Special," The Georgia Renaissance Festivalwill donate $2.00 per ticket sold to SOGA.Purchase your tickets today atwww.garenfest.comwww.garenfest.com .

LETR Torch RunLETR Torch RunMay 8 - May 19May 8 - May 19

The "Flame of Hope" will be passed across thestate by law enforcement officers for two weeksin May and will make its final resting stop at theState Summer Games Opening Ceremony atEmory University on Friday, May 19 at 7:30 pm.Interested in running in a local torch run,running the Final Leg in Atlanta, or havequestions? Contact Rebecca WalshRebecca Walsh at (770)414-9390 ext. 118.

Cl ick her e to buy an LETR t- sh ir t or hatCl ick her e to buy an LETR t- sh ir t or hatto suppor t SOGA ath letes.to suppor t SOGA ath letes.

GEICO RaceGEICO RaceMay 13May 13

For the 34th year, GEICO is organizing andhosting a benefit for Special Olympics Georgia.This year's event is a 5K/1 Mile Fun Run onSaturday, May 13 at 8 am on the GEICO Campusin Macon.

GEICO's goal is to raise $100,000. All participantswill receive a t-shirt. For more information onsponsoring or participating in the event, pleasecontact Chr is NappiChr is Nappi or Jonathan GibsonJonathan Gibson .

Atlanta United GamesAtlanta United GamesMay 28, June 17 & June 24May 28, June 17 & June 24

Cheer on Atlanta's newest team, Atlanta United,for a special discount! Atlanta United is partneringwith SOGA to offer discount prices on exclusivetickets to three of the biggest match-ups of theirinaugural season.

Using the code "Athletes," click here topurchase tickets as Atlanta United takes onNYC FC, Columbus and Colorado. Tickets startat $15 (regularly $25).

For more information, contact Meghan Daves at(770) 414-9390 ext. 117 or Tim Jameson.

Cops On Donut ShopsCops On Donut ShopsJune 2June 2

Join SOGA, Dunkin' Donuts and LETR for the2nd Annual Cops on Donut Shops!

On National Donut Day, Friday, June 2, officersfrom LETR will join forces with over 170 GeorgiaDunkin' Donut shops to raise funds andawareness for SOGA athletes. Stop by betweenthe hours of 5 am - 11 am, and buy a beverageto receive a FREE DONUT!

For more information or to find out your closestparticipating Dunkin' Donuts, contact RebeccaRebeccaWalshWalsh at (770) 414-9390 ext. 118.

Duck PluckDuck PluckAugust 11August 11

Go ahead, j oin the DUCK side, and adoptGo ahead, j oin the DUCK side, and adopta duck today!a duck today!

Special Olympics Georgia presents the 12thAnnual Duck Pluck! Join us in supporting our27,115 registered athletes throughout Georgia.Funds raised from this event provide meals andhousing at no cost to our athletes at StateGames. By donating $5, you are not onlysupporting our athletes, but it will also make youeligible to win some awesome prizes: Two RoundTrip Tickets on Spirit Airlines, a Two Night Stayat the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, a$400 Visa Gift Card, and more! You willadditionally be entered into a monthly drawingfor a $25 American Express Gift Card! Apurchase of a Quack Pack and/or higher will alsoenter you to win a $150 American Express GiftCard. The earlier you adopt, the more monthsyou are entered to win.

Cl ick her e to adopt your ducks, and MAYCl ick her e to adopt your ducks, and MAYthe for ce be with you!the for ce be with you!

We are also at looking for individuals, companiesand organizations to create Duck Sales Teamsand help fundraise for our State Games! If youare interested in getting involved and want moreinformation, please contact Beth Parm erBeth Parm er at(770) 414-9390 ext. 120.

Thank you to our sponsors: Rooms To GoFoundation, Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies,Whitaker Oil Company, Winter Companies, LAZParking, Risk Placement Services Inc., AlliedWorld, Highwoods Properties, Dobbins ThriftShoppe, North Georgia Replacement Windows,and Craig Automotive. Also, thank you to PostChastain for hosting this event.

SOGA PromotionsThere are currently several great ways to earn free money for SOGA athletes. If you have questions

on any of these promotions, please contact Susan Skoln ickSusan Skoln ick at (770) 414-9390 ext. 111.

Am azonSm i leAm azonSm i le is a simple and automatic wayfor you to support SOGA every time you shop atAmazon, at no cost to you. On your first visit toAm azonSm i leAm azonSm i le , select Special Olympics Georgiato receive donations from eligible purchasesbefore you begin shopping. Then, always shopthrough AmazonSmile, and every eligiblepurchase you make will result in a donation.

DialAm er icaDialAm er ica will donate 10% of your paidmagazine subscription to SOGA. To subscribe to amagazine, call (877) 872-2362 between 8:00 a.m.and 8:00 p.m. or cl ick her ecl ick her e.

Kroger Community Rewards makes supportingSOGA super easy... all you have to do is shop atKroger and swipe your Plus Card! Sign up withyour 12 digit Kroger Plus Card number atwww.kroger .com /com m unityr ewardswww.kroger .com /com m unityr ewards andin the Community Rewards section, selectSpecial Olympics Georgia (code 57973) as theorganization you wish to support. Once you'reenrolled, you'll earn rewards for SOGA everytime you shop with your Plus Card, whileearning rewards/fuel points for yourself. Enrol lEnrol lnow for the Kroger Com m unitynow for the Kroger Com m unityRewards Pr ogramRewards Pr ogram (you must re-enroll eachyear to continue earning rewards for SOGA). Ifyour Kroger Plus Card is not registered, you willneed to create an account and register.

Thinking of selling or trading in that old car,boat or RV? Donate it instead! SOGA haspartnered with CARS to turn your old vehicle,whether it's running or not, into much neededfunds for our programs. CARS accepts most cars,trucks, trailers, boats, RV's, motorcycles, offroad vehicles, heaving equipment, and mostother motorized vehicles. CARS will make all thearrangements at no cost to you. They handle thetitle transfer requirements and will provide youwith a written acknowledgement of yourdonation and tax deduction information. Cl ickCl ickhere for m ore in form ation or to donatehere for m ore in form ation or to donateyour veh icle.your veh icle. A helpful representative willcontact you within 24 hours to schedule apickup, or call CARS seven days a week at 1-844-404-SOGA (7642) to speak with a representative.

KidCents is a program created by the Rite AidFoundation that allows Rite Aid customers toround up their purchases to the nearest dollar anddonate their change to SOGA athletes. Make yourchange be the change for SOGA athletes! Cl ickCl ickhere for m ore in form ation or to sign uphere for m ore in form ation or to sign upand star t donating your change today!and star t donating your change today!

Stay ConnectedForward to a Friend

We're fortunate enough to have you as part of the

Special Olympics Georgia family. Our goal is to reach

as many potential sponsors, volunteers, and athletes

as possible; so, please help us grow the family even

more. Please forward this e-newsletter to your

friends and family so they can sign upsign up to also

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e-newsletter!

Tell Us Your Story

We want to tell your stories! Email Meghan DavesMeghan Daves with a story about a

Special Olympics event or person who has brought out the champion in

you!

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