Special Olympics Idaho would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your work at the 2009 World Winter Games. We were inspired by the joy, determination and courage demonstrated by the athletes who participated in the World Winter Games and the 3,000 volunteers who made the event a success! 
 
In Idaho, the games will leave a lasting legacy through new educational outreach programs and heightened awareness about people with intellectual disabilities. A new K-12 curriculum, "In a World of Differences, Make a Difference" was distributed to all Idaho schools this fall and is being used to teach students about diversity and inclusion. The awareness and recognition raised by the games, along with new programs and new sports have led to a 27% increase in Special Olympics participation in Idaho since this time last year. We have truly come a long way from our first state summer games in 1971, where 250 athletes participated in just one sport...track and field. There are now more than 2,500 athletes participating in  15 sports state-wide.
 
Although the 2009 World Winter Games are over, I hope that this is only the beginning of your involvement with the amazing athletes of Idaho. Special Olympics Idaho has been providing year-round sports training and competition at the state level for nearly four decades and there are many ways that you can continue to be involved:
 
VOLUNTEER
-Volunteer at our State Winter Games to be held in McCall/Cascade on March 6-7, 2009. Click Here
-Volunteer for an area competition or State Summer Games, June 26-27, 2009.
-Be a coach, assistant coach or a local program coordinator.

To see a complete list of volunteer opportunities please go to www.idso.org or contact Shanna Endow at (208) 323-0482 x. 14 or sendow@idso.org
 
MAKE A DONATION        
-You can make a donation to Special Olympics Idaho by making a contribution on your Idaho Income Tax return. 
-You can also make a contribution by clicking the gold "Donate" button on our website at www.idso.org.
-You or your business can become a Special Olympics corporate sponsor or Breakfast With Champions sponsor.

If you have questions about making a donation to Special Olympics Idaho, please contact Christine Jarski at (208) 323-0482 x. 21 or (208) 724-2106 or christine@idso.org
 
JOIN A UNIFIED TEAM
-Unified Sports teams are comprised of people with and without disabilities.
-Special Olympics Idaho offers Unified teams in: Soccer, Basketball, Golf, Softball, Floor Hockey, and more!

If you are interested in joining a Unified Team, please contact Corby Goade at
(208) 323-0482 x. 22 or cg@idso.org
 
Thank you again for making the Special Olympics 2009 World Winter Games so great!