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SO Brief
SONM's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
October 23, 2013
In This Issue
Athlete Profile
Thoughts From Randy
Flag Football Video
LETR News
Athlete Profile
Name: Deuce Drayton 
Team: Special Olympics Bloomfield
Sports: Bowling, Poly Hockey, Volleyball, Track and Field, Golf, Softball, Basketball
Highlights: Deuce won a Gold Medal in Golf at the 2013 Four Corners Invitational
Join Us Online
Thoughts From Randy
Less and More

A couple of weeks ago at a Special Olympics Bowling Competition I spent a good bit of time with our Special Olympics athletes who bowl using a ramp.  These are bowlers unable to throw a bowling ball because of limited strength and mobility.  The ramps have a metal frame with a 30-degree slope.  Each ramp is placed on the approach by a coach, and then the direction in which the ramp is aimed (if at all possible) is determined by the athlete.  Once ready, the ball is then placed on top of the ramp and with a light push from the bowler, there is motion.  A high percentage of the time pins fall.

I have watched Special Olympics accommodate our athletes' unique needs for years, yet I continue to be reminded of the fine line that comes with accommodating those needs.  Coaches who figure out ways to DO LESS by training the athletes to DO MORE, give their athletes a greater opportunity to be as independent as possible.  That matters - a lot.

 
Something new at Posole Ole this year! 
 
On December 7th, this year's the Posole Ole Fun Walk will bring something different to the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum! SONM will host the annual Posole Ole Fun Walk, where hundreds of walkers will circle the balloon museum
 with our athletes and then enjoy posole afterwards, but this year SONM will be adding a competitive 5K Run! 

To register for the 5K Run online, visit www.active.com. To register in person, visit Bosque Running Shop at 6001 Winterhaven Dr. NW Suite I and pay in cash or check. The 5K will begin at 9 am. And don't worry about leaving the kids at home because there is also a Kids Fun Run! 

To register for the traditional Posole Ole Fun Walk, you will need to fill out a registration form and create a Firstgiving fundraising page. Click HERE for the registration form, which also gives step-by-step instructions for creating a Firstgiving page. Click HERE to visit the Posole Ole Fun Walk Firstgiving page and make your own fundraising page! Don't miss your opportunity to start the holiday season off right! 
Three Sisters 
 
When it comes to Special Olympics New Mexico, families play an incredibly important role in our organization. Recently, there have been three sisters of SONM athletes who have had a particularly large influence on our organization - each one inspired by their sibling. SONM will feature these three sisters over the next three issues of  the SO Brief. 
 
Meet Sarah 
 
Sarah McMahon is a PNM employee, and the sister of SONM athlete Tim Evans, who participates in Bowling and Gymnastics! Sarah developed a passion for Special Olympics both through her relationship with her brother and through a competition she attended many years ago.
Sarah and TIm


"Nearly 25 years ago, I was at a [Special Olympics] track meet, on the sidelines of the 50 yard dash, cheering for the athletes," stated Sarah. "One of the competitors fell, skinned both of her knees badly, stood up, and kept running. She made it to the finish line albeit bruised and bloody. But what still brings tears to my eyes today, 25 years later, was the smile she had on her face when she crossed the finish line. She was so happy, so proud. She had accomplished something, and it meant everything to her."

Sarah's passion for our athletes shined brightly at this year's Over the Edge fundraising event. She not only participated in the rappel, but raised over $9,000 to benefit SONM.

"Going off the building was very challenging, Sarah replied when asked about rappelling 16-stories over the Bank of Albuquerque building. "I have a fear of heights, so there was a brief moment in time where I was deeply challenged. I felt that I could relate to the Special Olympics athletes like my brother, who are challenged every day." 

Special Olympics has a special place in Sarah's heart because of the joy it brings our athletes. She believes that making a positive difference in even one life is something everyone should strive to do. 
North Regional Bowling Tournament this weekend! 
 
The 2013 North Regional Bowling Tournament is this weekend, October 26th and 27th, at Santa Ana Star Casino's Starlight Lanes! 650 Special Olympics athletes from the north region of the state will come together to participate. 
 
"Bowling is probably one of Special Olympics New Mexico's more popular sports, as will be revealed this weekend when our athletes compete at the top of their lungs for two days!" said SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. "Anyone in attendance can count on amazing performances and the joy of sport in abundance." 
 
The 2013 North Regional Bowling Tournament is sponsored by Valero, Starlight Bowling Center, United Parcel Service, Style America, US Bank, Moose Charities, New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run, New Mexico Knights of Columbus, Wells Fargo, ConocoPhillips, Dex, French Funerals and Cremations, Daniels Fund, The Payroll Company, and Mark's Casa Auto Group. 
Law Enforcement Torch Run News!

SOUTH CENTRAL LETR Red Robin Tip-A-Cop raises over $5,000
 
On Saturday, October 12th dozens of officers from LETR agencies Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and Belen Police Department participated in the annual LETR Red Robin Tip-A-Cop fundraiser in Albuquerque.  
 
The event was part of a national LETR campaign, where numerous LETR state programs
 coordinated with local agencies to greet and serve meals to Red Robin patrons to benefit Special Olympics on the same day across the county. Red Robin has two locations in Albuquerque-on the eastside near the Century Rio 24 theater and on the westside next to Cottonwood Mall.

In what turned out to be a heated competition between the two Red Robin stores, both LETR agencies raised more than $2,000 at their respective restaurants. Special Olympics New Mexico athletes from Belen/Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, and ABQ Dukes were present-helping officers sell t-shirts and encouraging donations. 

A huge thank you goes out to Belen PD Chief Dan Robb and Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston, our participating LETR officers from Belen Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, as well as the staff and management at both Red Robin locations for their support and enthusiasm throughout the event!

Click HERE to view photos from the event! 
 
 
NORTH CENTRAL Officers attend North Regional Bowling Area 5 Games at Starlight Lanes

On Saturday, October 12th NORTH CENTRAL LETR officers from Santa Ana Police Department and Sandoval County Sheriff's Department attended the North Regional Bowling Area 5 Games at the Santa Ana Casino to meet and greet SONM bowlers and present them with competition ribbons. Special thanks goes out to our NC Regional Coordinator Ana Ortiz! Click HERE to view more photos! 

  

 

The Mighty Mighty Torch Run - Blog
Familiar Faces and New Ones 
 

How wonderful it was to see everyone at our 2013 LETR Celebration and 2014 Kick-Off in Albuquerque. All the familiar faces and new ones, of officers and military personnel who are truly stepping up and serving members of our communities, all the special smiling faces of our athletes and their families, and the corporate sponsors who we cannot thank

 enough for your support. Thank you all for attending and thank you all for what you do for Special Olympics Athletes! 


In keeping with our celebration of all our LETR accomplishments for 2013 and new ones going into our next year, I would like to challenge all of our Regions in this first quarter. We can increase our fundraising totals by having each region add in an event each quarter. Some suggestions...Hero Bears or K-9's to sell, Tip-A-Cop events at local restaurants in your cities or towns, Polar Plunges, 5K Runs or Walks, Truck-Plane-Train Pulls, Volley Ball Tournaments, Speedway events, Cop on Top, etc. So pretty much, anything you can think of, all in the name of Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

 
Phillips 66 partners with Team New Mexico
 
This November, 23 Phillips 66 stores in the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas areas will be participating in a Gold Medal Campaign in partnership with SONM! Phillips 66 stores will
 encourage patrons to purchase Special Olympics New Mexico medallions for $1. All of the dollars raised will go to support Team New Mexico's participation in the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey!  
 
"As a corporate sponsor, we run this promotion two times a year to support Special Olympics Colorado," said Mark Smith Rocky Mountains Division Manager for Phillips 66. "This year we decided to expand the promotion to both Salt Lake City and Albuquerque. Salt Lake City's promotion went well this past spring and we hope for the same results in Albuquerque. Special Olympics hits really close to home for many of the Phillips 66 staff and I personally have a passion for it. I hope to pass this fervor on on to our Albuquerque employees, as we work to create a successful promotion."
 
Starting November 1st, be sure to stop into your local Phillips 66 store and support Team New Mexico! 
Upcoming 2013 Events

EVENT                                DATE                                  LOCATION
North Regional  Bowling                 Oct 26-27                                            Santa Ana Starlight Lanes 
Holiday Classic                                 Nov 15-17                                           Las Cruces, NM 
Posole Ole                                          Dec 7                                                   Albuquerque Balloon Museum  
SONM Board of Directors
 
Executive Committee : CHAIRMAN, Tom Padilla; VICE CHAIRMAN, Jack Eichorn; VICE CHAIRMAN, Bob Scanlon; SECRETARY, Suzanne Frazier; and TREASURER, Steve Pino

Board Members: Shaylene Stephens, Nestor Romero, Suzanne Fields, Ryan Garcia, David Harnick, Jim Reist, Sharen Hart,  Brad Hutchins, Walt Bolic, Darren Wilkins, Trish Stuart, Craig Amundson, and Karen Hudson
Contact Us
Special Olympics New Mexico
6600 Palomas Pl. NE Ste. 207
ABQ, NM 87109
 
Email: sonm@sonm.org