Special Olympics Indiana

Media Resources

Welcome to Special Olympics Indiana's online media resource section. Here, you'll find general information to assist you with your article or project, press releases for recent events, images, logos and facts about Special Olympics Indiana. Please note that additional information about Special Olympics Indiana is available in the About Us section of our Web site.

If you have a question or need help locating information on this site, please contact Amanda Personett at (800) 742-0612, ext. 243 or email.

Press Releases

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - Summer Games Shine On Despite Heavy Rainfall

SUMMER GAMES SHINE ON DESPITE HEAVY RAINFALL

TERRE HAUTE – Despite the severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that left many Wabash Valley counties in a state of emergency, the “Flame of Hope” continued to shine at the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games, held June 6-8 on the campus of Indiana State University (ISU).

Full competition took place on Friday, with threatening thunderstorms only shortening the Game’s Opening Ceremonies at the Hulman Center. While outdoor competition was canceled on Saturday, indoor competition was able to run on schedule. Full competition resumed Sunday.

“In spite of the many challenges we faced due to the weather conditions, it is estimated that every athlete was able to compete and receive an award,” said Special Olympics Indiana President/CEO Michael Furnish. “In addition, all of our delegations were able to leave on schedule and have arrived home safely.”

Many Terre Haute residents were instrumental in ensuring that the Games continued, stepping in as volunteers when road conditions impeded those that had been scheduled to work.

“We had people who lived in the area coming down to ISU to help even though they hadn’t previously been involved with Summer Games,” said Special Olympics Indiana Manager of Volunteer Services Lindsay Lambert. “They said that with so many roads closed, they figured we’d be short volunteers and decided to come lend a hand.”

As a way of thanking the community for its support, Special Olympics athlete and volunteer Mike Yuill of Tippecanoe County, organized a donation collection for Terre Haute residents who were forced to evacuate due to widespread flooding. More than $200 from Special Olympics participants was raised to benefit the Wabash Valley American Red Cross.

Special thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games: Duke Energy and Duke Energy Foundation, McDonald’s, Markey’s Rental & Staging, Indiana Chemical Trust, Save-It Now, Wabash Valley Community Foundation, WTWO NewsChannel 2, Crossroads Communications, Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Association, Indiana State University, Kroger, Pepsi, Ball State University, Indiana University Lions Clubs International, Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and the Frederick R. Benson Trust.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA

Special Olympics Indiana is a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in over 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 10,000 athletes across Indiana. The organization receives no federal- or state-appropriated funds, is not a United Way agency and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. For more information about Special Olympics Indiana, call (317) 328-2000 or visit www.soindiana.org.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - Law Enforcement Event Raises 'Top' Dollars for Special Olympics Indiana

LAW ENFORCEMENT EVENT RAISES ‘TOP’ DOLLARS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA

Cop on a Rooftop event raises more than $10,000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Special Olympics Indiana state office announced today that the first annual Cop on a Rooftop event raised more than $10,000 for Hoosier adults and children with intellectual disabilities.

More than 20 law enforcement officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Carmel Police Department staked out four area Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants collecting money for Special Olympics Indiana, raising a total of $10,617.68.

Despite inclement weather, some officers manned the drive thru and restaurant areas collecting money while others literally perched themselves on the roofs of the stores. Volunteers at the four restaurants raised more than $1,000 per location. The Dunkin’ Donuts corporation also gave a $5,000 donation to the Torch Run event.

“I thought the Cop on Rooftops at the Dunkin Donut stores went very well,” said Lt. Michael Beck of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and Law Enforcement Torch Run state director. “Overall the officers on the roofs and the ones on the ground did an excellent job, and the Dunkin Donut stores and their employees helped out greatly.”

The event was part of the annual fundraising conducted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics. Other Torch Run events include the Polar Plunge, the FedEx Plane Pull Challenge®, the Harley-Davidson® Raffle, the Showdown of the Shields and local Tip-a-Cop events.

ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN^® FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The Law Enforcement Torch Run^® for Special Olympics is the world’s largest grassroots fundraising vehicle for Special Olympics. Throughout the year, law enforcement officers participate in fundraising activities of various kinds to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. In Indiana, the Law Enforcement Torch Run involves hundreds of police officers in fundraising and volunteer activities year-round.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA

Special Olympics Indiana is a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 10,000 athletes across Indiana. The organization receives no federal- or state-appropriated funds, is not a United Way agency and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. For more information about Special Olympics Indiana, call (317) 328-2000 or visit www.soindiana.org.

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Press Release Archive