President’s Corner: April

Dear Supporters,

Thank you to the more than 6,300 people who volunteer with Special Olympics Maryland throughout the year. April was National Volunteer Month, including Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 20–26) which provides a great opportunity to reflect on the impact these volunteers have on the lives of our athletes. Because of you, our athletes have access to the training, competition, and experiences they deserve. The majority of our volunteers support single-day events; others take on roles that require significant time, energy, and expertise. Head coaches plan and lead teams during their sport’s season by scheduling practices, communicating with athletes, families, and caregivers, and coordinating assistant coaches and other volunteers. Our Games and State Championship management teams plan year-round, meeting regularly and completing time-sensitive tasks to deliver the best possible competition experiences. Volunteers are also essential to organizing and delivering league play for flag football, soccer, and basketball. Additionally, we are fortunate to have volunteers who help us conduct successful special events like the MSP Polar Bear Plunge Presented by Allegis Group and the Deep Creek Dunk. The Law Enforcement community rallies support plan and execute multiple Torch Runs while also leading efforts in presenting awards at all of our competitions.

In our community-based Area Programs, dedicated volunteer leaders invest countless hours to plan and manage every aspect of year-round sports training and competition. Thank you: Dottie Turner, Andy Flacks, Anna Eyler, Robin Sanders, Donna Holt, Dottie Ferrell, Greg Fournier, Bob Baker, Janet Larrimore, John Nolan, John Bogasky, Jordan Peretta, Joyce Powell, Karol Manner-Dyess, Kathy Axline, Kathy Zuback, Jordan Perretta, Katy Schieman, Lisa Howard, Marva Davis, Melanie McManus, Michael Malinoski, Nancy Schmidt, Rachel Maryn, Bob Freeman, Ruth Vickers, Scott Geist, Sharon Myrick, Shelly Bogasky, Sue Malinoski, Susan Anzalone, Shannon Strong, Theresa Rowe, Tina Connolly, and Trish Miles.

Because of these exceptional volunteer leaders, athletes across Maryland can train and compete in a wide range of sports. I’m grateful for the Area Program Leaders who serve as Area Directors, Assistant Directors, and Finance Directors among other important roles.

Recent examples of volunteer leadership include the Anne Arundel County Spring Games, where Katie Schieman worked with her Area Management Team, the Annapolis Jaycees, and Naval Academy midshipmen to host more than 200 athletes competing in swimming, bocce, and track and field. With limited time, they successfully relocated this year’s bocce and track and field events from the Naval Academy to Annapolis High School—ensuring another memorable qualifying event for Summer Games. On April 9^th, Jeff Hagen and his team hosted the St. Mary’s Spring Games at St. Mary’s Ryken High School. On April 30^th, Trish Miles and Scott Geist planned and hosted the Prince George’s County Spring Games. And in May (excluding Memorial Day weekend), every weekend is packed with local competitions—Charles County Spring Games, the Baltimore County all-comers meet, Allegany County track and field, and bocce and swimming qualifiers, along with many additional bocce, swimming, and softball qualifiers. These competitions are organized locally by volunteer leaders, supported by countless additional volunteers. And that’s just the spring season. Following our Summer Games, June 12 – 14 at Towson University, athletes will transition to kayaking and golf. Later in the summer, athletes will begin training in cycling, flag football, long distance running, powerlifting, soccer, and tennis leading to our Fall Sports Festival and state soccer tournament. Our bowlers will also start late summer early fall and continue through to our state tournament in December. And when schools return after their summer break our IUS fall season will include tennis and flag football, IUS also includes the winter season of indoor bocce and strength. Our community program winter season includes snowshoeing and alpine season along with our basketball program that concludes with our state tournament in March. There is no off-season and we are successful because we have incredible volunteers.

In April, high school teams wrapped up the regular season of Interscholastic Unified Sports (IUS) outdoor bocce and track and field, preparing for District and State tournaments and meets in May. Our Young Athletes program, Unified Physical Education, and Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) also hosted multiple events in April, with more planned for May and June. And keep in mind, when schools return after their summer break our IUS fall season will include tennis and flag football, IUS also includes the winter season of indoor bocce and strength and conditioning. Thank you to our school partners—and to the teachers, coaches, and administrators—who devote their time to making these opportunities possible year-round. The only off-season for the schools is the summer, but during the school year…there is no off season.

Over the years, we have also leveraged sport to expand our focus to include leadership and health. On April 17^th, SOMD athletes Abby Digilio, Briasia Moore, and Brandon McLarin delivered a Unified Leadership presentation to senior leaders at Coca-Cola Consolidated. The meeting was facilitated by Leon Warner, Vice President of Manufacturing at Coca-Cola Consolidated and a SOMD Board member. Leon is one of 20 members of our Board of Directors, each of whom volunteers their time in service of SOMD athletes.

I am grateful for everyone who volunteers. The reward is knowing you are making a profound difference in the lives of our athletes and their families. Together, we’ve built an environment where volunteers share a singular purpose: using sport to transform lives. When Mrs. Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968, she pledged that Special Olympics would offer people with intellectual disabilities everywhere “the chance to play, the chance to compete and the chance to grow.” She also understood that volunteers would be essential to delivering that mission—and that remains true today. Without volunteers, there would be no program. So thank you: leadership volunteers; coaches; Games, competition and special event organizers; league volunteers; officials; teachers; school administrators; and day-of-event volunteers. You help build inclusive communities grounded in dignity and respect. You represent the very best of Maryland. Thank you for showing up for Special Olympics Maryland—and for showing up for our athletes. Through sport, leadership, and health programs you are creating a world is not limited by disability.

Experience Inclusion,
Jim