The other day a sports writer asked me this question - "High school, club, and intercollegiate athletes get a lot of media attention. Why are Special Olympics athletes deserving?"

When you have been involved in the Special Olympics movement for awhile, questions like that can be answered in a variety of ways, using different tones, and from many perspectives. I decided to give my Director of Sports and Competition a shot at sharing his thoughts about that, and here is what he had to say.

MORE >>>

Four Corners Invitational - that's a wrap!

The 2014 Four Corners Invitational concluded this past Sunday after an action-packed three days of Aquatics, Unified Golf, Unified Softball, and Unified Flag Football! There were a total of 240 Golf athletes and Unified Partners, 505 Softball athletes and partners, 127 Flag Football athletes and partners, and 185 Aquatics athletes. It was a great competition in Farmington!

To view photos from this competition, click HERE.

Thank you to our Four Corners presenting sponsor Conoco Phillips and the other sponsors of this event. Without you these Games could not have been possible!

State Equestrian Competition

In two weeks, Special Olympics New Mexico athletes from all over the state will make their way to Clovis for the 2014 State Equestrian Competition. From September 12-13,

Clovis will welcome 40 riders as they compete in this unique competition at the Clovis Events Center. It will be a display of skill and courage as Special Olympics athletes showcase their talents on horseback!

For more information, click HERE.

Join us as we Reveal the Champion

Ever wonder what Special Olympics New Mexico does besides put on 62 competitions opportunities and 35 Coaches Trainings yearly? Attend one of our Reveal the Champion Mission Tours and find out how we are impacting our state.

You will hear from staff members, Board members, SONM athletes, and parents of athletes, as we guide you through a tour that shows how Special Olympics New Mexico is Building Inclusive Communities, Transforming Lives through Sport, and Improving Quality of Life for our athletes. Whether you are new to the organization or have been involved for many years, you are sure to learn about something that you didn't know before.

The dates for the upcoming Reveal the Champion Mission Tours are as follows:

September 10 -12 pm - Special Olympics New Mexico State Office
September 11 - 12 pm - Special Olympics New Mexico State Office
October 15 - 12 pm - Special Olympics New Mexico State Office
October 16 - 12 pm - Special Olympics New Mexico State Office
November 5 - 12 pm - Special Olympics New Mexico State Office

If you are interested in signing up to attend a Reveal the Champion Mission Tour or just want to learn more, contact Christine Roybal at 505-856-0342 or christine@sonm.org.

Lost and Found!

Several items were lost/found at the Four Corners Invitational this past weekend, and we would like to get them back to their rightful owners.

Black iPhone 4 (cracked screen), turned in at Softball.
Black and green men's tennis shoes, found at Aquatics.
Black women's cardigan, found at Aquatics.

Wallet belonging to Roland Pahl - 3-fold, brown with stripes. It contains Roland's ID, debit card, and a gift card. Lost at Aquatics.

Please contact the SONM state office at 505-856-0342 if you are missing or have found any of these items! Thanks so much, fans!

Law Enforcement Torch Run News!

NW Region LETR officers fuel the flame of hope at the 2014 SONM Four Corners Invitational

On August 22-24, some 17 LETR officers from our Northwest region came together to support our Special Olympics athletes and their families during the 2014 Special Olympics New Mexico Four Corners Invitational in Farmington.

This year's FCI State Competition brought 594 athletes, 347 Unified Partners, 120 coaches, and 58 chaperones to the city of Farmington to compete in Golf, Aquatics, Softball, and Flag Football. Throughout the weekend, our LETR officers awarded medals to athletes, competed as Unified Partners, connected with family members, and carried our Flame of Hope torch into Opening Ceremonies to light the Olympic Cauldron and kick off our three-day State Competition. A huge thanks goes out to Farmington Police Department's Chief of Police Steve Hebbe and the following LETR officers for their time, energy, and passion.

From Farmington Police Department:. Lt. Taft Tracy, Sgt. Dale Bode, Sgt. Dave Monfils, Officer Jenny Dennis, Officer Marty Snowbarger, Officer Jason Thornburg, Officer Jonathan Jensen, Officer Willard Nez, Officer Sierra Tafoya, Officer Chris Blea, Officer Brittany Johnson, Shawn Archuleta, and Mike Archuleta. Another thanks goes out our LETR officers with the Army National Guard - Farmington, San Juan County Community College, Farmington Police Department - Explorers program for their additional support at our Games!

Over the Edge just around the corner!

There are only three weeks left until you too can go Over The Edge! Now is the time to kick your fundraising into high-gear! Invite a friend to join you and get an easy $25 boost to your fundraising when they sign up on Firstgiving! Don't forget our LOE Meetup tonight at 5pm at Marble Brewery!

Register Your Friends, Earn $25 Toward Your Goal!
Everything is better when you can share it with a friend! And it's even better when you get an easy $25 credited toward your fundraising page! All they have to do is put your name in the "Referred By" section when they register on Firstgiving. Space is limited and the rappel is coming up fast so refer them today!

Matching Grants
Does your company do matching grants? A quick and easy way to reach your fundraising goal is to use your company's matching grants program and increase your fundraising exponentially! One edger recently met the minimum in just one day using their company's matching grants program!

To learn more or register as a fundraiser, click HERE.

Mark your Calendars for 2014 Posole Ole Fun Walk and 5k!

Even though it may seem like the holiday season is ages away, it will be here before we know it! That means the the Posole Ole Fun Walk and 5k is right around this corner!

This year's Posole Ole Fun Walk and 5k will take place on December 6th at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.

Expect Santa, Orbit, craft tables, raffle prizes, and an all-around festive time. It's a great way to kick off the holiday season!

More information soon to come!

Upcoming 2014 Events

EVENT DATE LOCATION

State Equestrian Sept 12-13 Clovis

Over the Edge                                   Sept 18-19                                     Albuquerque
North Regional Bowling                    Nov 1-2                                              Albuquerque
Posole Ole Fun Walk                         Dec 6                                            Albuquerque

SONM Board of Directors

Executive Committee : CHAIRMAN, Jack Eichorn; VICE CHAIRMAN, Karen Hudson; VICE CHAIRMAN, Bob Scanlon; SECRETARY, Suzanne Frazier; and TREASURER, Steve Pino

Board Members: Tom Padilla, Shaylene Stephens, Ryan Garcia, David Harnick, Sharen Hart, Brad Hutchins, Walt Bolic, Darren Wilkins, Trish Stuart, Craig Amundson, Allen Smith, Consuelo Bolagh-Cowder, Dub Girand, and Mark Wiggins

Contact Us

Special Olympics New Mexico

6600 Palomas Pl. NE Ste. 207

ABQ, NM 87109

Phone: 505-856-0342

Email: sonm@sonm.org