| Dear Athletes, Families, Volunteers, and Friends:
We have had an amazing start to 2009. On January 15th, Special Olympics New York served as host of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run as it made its way from Athens, Greece to Poland, South Africa, and China on its way to Idaho. Over 350 members of Law Enforcement participated with World Games Athletes in a ceremonial Torch Run from City Hall in Manhattan past the World Trade Center and Police Memorials on its way to a moving ceremony at the Winter Garden Atrium at the World Financial Center.
On Saturday, February 7th, more than 900 athletes and coaches came together in Rochester to celebrate and compete in Special Olympics New York's 2009 State Winter Games. Athletes demonstrated their outstanding abilities in several competitive sports, including Nordic and Alpine Skiing, Snowshoeing, Floor Hockey, and Floor Hockey Skills. On Sunday, our "Winter Weekend" concluded with the 9th Annual Rochester Polar Plunge. More than 1,500 enthusiastic Special Olympics New York supporters jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario and raised just over $200,000 in support of our athletes. Another 1,000 Plungers jumped in at events held in Fishkill and on Long Island, for our athletes.
Later in February, our ten World Games athletes did New York proud, winning several medals in Boise, Idaho and gaining new friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Just this past week, we participated in the Fourth Annual Hill Day in Washington where New York athlete Kassie Glover of Syracuse stole the hearts of our federal legislators from New York, encouraging them to do all they can to support us.
We again, are incredibly grateful for your amazing dedication, spirit, and support in making these and our other successes a reality.
Outside the realm of our control, we continue to face the most challenging economic period that most of us have ever witnessed. We completed our 2009 plan in the dawning of the uncertainty this past summer/early fall. Once it appeared that the situation wasn't getting better, we made the difficult choices to reduce our expenses, and only invest in core mission activities and budget expenses to match the very conservative development outlook.
There is no blame for the difficult economic environment in which we live. These times don't fit the standard mold. ALL of us, however, must invest in moving forward with our mission. I hope that each of you can appreciate the need to plan conservatively and that you do whatever you can to help us to generate the funds needed to sustain our programs. Now, more than ever, we need your help by identifying potential sponsors, joining in our local and statewide initiatives, and even simply making a direct donation.
Despite all the doom and gloom, we are still 365 days a year, still free to our athletes and their families, and 47,654 strong with 3,500 competitions statewide. We are Special Olympics NEW YORK!
With Warmest Regards,
Neal J. Johnson
President & CEO
|
