Special Olympics Receives $12 million to Expand Health Services



Special Olympics Pennsylvania - York County athlete Loretta Claiborne pictured with Former President William J. Clinton and Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics Tim Shriver at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative.


On September 23, 2012, Former President William J. Clinton announced that businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano will provide $12 million to expand Special Olympics’ health-related services to people with intellectual disabilities - one of the largest and most medically underserved disability groups in the world – which will allow for the launch of a new Healthy Communities initiative. The commitment was made at the opening of the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting involving four Special Olympics athletes including PA athlete Loretta Claiborne.

This is the largest single gift Special Olympics has ever received from an individual and it is the first gift made by Golisano that will have international impact. The gift will be given over four years.
Millions with intellectual disabilities lack access to quality health care and experience dramatically higher rates of preventable disease, chronic pain and suffering, and premature death in every country around the world.

Healthy Communities’ goal is to achieve improved health outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all are receiving health services and are able to reach their full potential. It will expand services to more athletes, increase partnerships with local organizations, expand the use of technology, and promote awareness of the health difficulties facing people with intellectual disabilities.  


Healthier Communities are Stronger Communities

by Loretta Claiborne

I remember when I was asked first asked about Healthy Athletes, many years ago. I had some reservations. I was a naysayer. Dr. Ron Vederman was trying to start it, and he said to me, "What do you think about Healthy Athletes?" I said, "I think we should stick to sports. Why do we want to get into the private lives of people's health?" Then I thought, "Dr. Vederman, you know what? I understand." If your feet don't feel well, you can't run well. But also you can't participate in the community with a job. If your teeth hurt, you don't eat well, and if you don't eat well, you can't take care of your body. If you can't see well, you can't bowl well. In the community, if you don't see well, you can't see what's going on. I don't read well, so I use my eyes and ears to learn and think about what's happening. Healthy Athletes is one of the best programs to come around for people with intellectual disabilities. With Healthy Communities, I see better lives and people living longer. And when you have a healthier community, you have a stronger community. Healthy Communities will really open the eyes of the community about people with intellectual disabilities.


Lebanon Valley College and Special Olympics PA – Lebanon County to Clean Up Park in Honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver

September 22, 2012 will mark the third annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Day celebrated around the world, bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities in sport and other unifying activities to honor the inspiration, impact and indomitable spirit of Special Olympics’ founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. On this day Lebanon Valley College students and faculty will team up with Special Olympics athletes from Lebanon County to clean up Coleman Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Annville, PA.


Their work at the park will include painting fences, making recycling barrels, clearing trails and removing fallen tree limbs. During lunch, the participants will play wiffle ball in honor of EKS Day and in response to the global call challenging everyone to “Play Unified to Live Unified” as part of Mrs. Shriver’s belief that people forget about their differences and recognize their mutual humanity on the playing field.

Parx Casino Donates $3,000 to Special Olympics PA - Bucks County Program

Special Olympics PA – Bucks County recently received a check in the amount of $3,000 from Parx Casino that pledged $50 for every double play and $500 for every triple play by The Trenton Thunder, a minor league baseball team, for the entire season.  The check was presented on Thursday, August 30th prior to the final regular game of the season. The Thunder clinched first place and the playoffs begin in Trenton on Friday, September 7^th.  Pictured above from right to left: Carrie Nork Minelli, Parx Casino Director of Public Relations; Neil Reilly, Bucks County athlete; Boomer, Thunder mascot; and Eileen Reilly, Bucks County volunteer.

SOPA Athlete Heads To Global Swim Meet in Puerto Rico

Good luck to Stephanie Walther, a Bucks County athlete headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Global Swimming Invitational! She is among 300 Special Olympics athletes that will compete in the swim meet, hosted by Special Olympics Latin America, September 10-17.


Stephanie, 29 years old, has been involved in Special Olympics since 1989. She has competed as a powerlifter at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland and the first-ever Special Olympics National Games in Ames, Iowa in 2006. The sports that she currently participates in are bowling, basketball, bocce, powerlifting, swimming, and tennis.