SO Brief 
SONM's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
January 27, 2016
In This Issue
Athlete Profile
Thoughts From Randy
Unified Team Bowling
Mayor's Indoor Invitational Track Meet
LETR News!
Welcome Arlene!
Something Special Dinner & Auction
Athlete Profile

Name: Angelina Minton
Team: Special Olympics Charger Aquatics
Sports:  Aquatics
Highlights: Angelina was the January 23rd French Athlete of the Game at the Lobo Women's Basketball game!
Join Us Online
Thoughts From Randy    
Family

We use the words "Special Olympics family" a lot.  We've never really defined what it takes to be a member, but we welcome everyone, and if you show up more than once, you are well on your way to being included.  Athletes and their family members, coaches, community partners, staff, volunteers, donors, law enforcement officers, political dignitaries ... our Special Olympics New Mexico family continues to grow, and for that we are thankful.

MORE>>>  

  
 
Bowl Unified!  
 
The fourth annual Unified Team Bowling Tournament is next Saturday, February 6th. Santa Ana Starlight Lanes will welcome hundreds of bowlers both with and without intellectual disabilities from all over the state who will be paired up to compete together.

Unified Sports enables athletes to develop higher-level sports skills, and experience meaningful inclusion as each athlete is ensured of playing a valued role on the team. The Unified Sports program also enables athletes to socialize with peers and form friendships with people outside of Special Olympics.

We are excited to see what new friendships arise from this year's tournament! As a reminder, registration packets are due tomorrow, January 28th.

For more information, click HERE  .  
Mayor's Indoor Invitational Track Meet returns for seventh year

The Mayor's Indoor Invitational Track Meet is back for the seventh year on February 20th. This one-day track tournament is extra special because it is hosted at the Convention Center on one of the nation's premier indoor track facilities.

Over 100 athletes will be given the opportunity to compete on the indoor track, thanks to a partnership called ABQ Team FIT.  In 2010, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, and the City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department announced the partnership, whose members include the Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department, UNM, ACVB, USA Track and Field, SONM and the Great S.W. Track and Field.

Members of the University of New Mexico Football team will be present to time races, present awards, and escort SONM athletes to and from the eleven track and field events offered that day.

For more information, click HERE.  
Law Enforcement Torch Run News!   

Gallup PD officer Kelvin Akeson receives 2016 Larry Willard Flame of Hope Award

Every year the Larry Willard Flame of Hope Award is given to a Torch Run officer whose "unselfish and sustained efforts have made a significant contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in New Mexico." This year the award was given to Kelvin Akeson from Gallup PD for his many contributions to the NMLETR and the athletes of Special Olympics New Mexico. Thanks for all you do Kelvin. You are an inspiration to many!

LETR Agencies honored and awarded at 2016 Torch Run Kick Off & Awards Event

We had a good time celebrating all of our outstanding agencies and their achievements! We're looking forward to another great year for Special Olympics New Mexico athletes and our Torch Run family! Check out the photos from the 2016 LETR Kick Off & Celebration last Friday at the Elks Lodge by clicking HERE.  
Welcome Arlene!

It is our pleasure to introduce new staff member Arlene Espinoza-Armijo, Resource Development Associate.

Arlene was born and raised in New Mexico. She attended the University of New Mexico where she studied Psychology and Women's Studies. Before being hired at Special
Olympics New Mexico, Arlene worked as an independent sales representative, providing noninvasive pain management options for patients across New Mexico.

In her free time, Arlene enjoys running and competing in long distance races with her husband or reading a good book. We are excited to have Arlene as a part of the team!
Mark your Calendar for "Something Special" in 2016
Save the date for the 2nd Annual Something Special Dinner & Auction which will take place on June 25th at Sandia Resort and Casino. The event will have both a silent and a  live auction, and of course a delicious dinner. Stay tuned for auction item sneak peaks and more information as we get closer to the event. Interested in attending or becoming a sponsor? Contact Christine Roybal Hidalgo at 505-856-0342.

Click HERE to visit our Dinner & Auction webpage and learn more.  
 Upcoming 2016 Events 
                                      
EVENT                                                             DATE                                               LOCATION                   
Unified Team Bowling Tournament                 February 6th                                             Albuquerque
Mayors Indoor Invitational                             February 20th                                           Albuquerque
Poly Hockey Championships                        February 26th-27th                                    Farmington     
SONM Board of Directors
 
Executive Committee : CHAIRMAN, Jack Eichorn; VICE CHAIRMAN, Karen Hudson; VICE CHAIRMAN, Bob Scanlon; SECRETARY, Ryan Danoff; and TREASURER, Steve Pino

Board Members: Tom Padilla, Jeff Ramirez, Ryan Garcia, David Harnick, Brad Hutchins, Walt Bolic, Sarah McMahon, Trish Stuart, Craig Amundson, Consuelo Bolagh-Cowder, Dub Girand, Warren Ellis, Cathy Tingstrom, 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