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For 30 years, P&G has been a loyal supporter of Special Olympics, and this year is no exception. It’s almost time for the annual P&GbrandSAVER® promotion!

On Sunday, January 1, 2012, keep an eye out for your P&GbrandSAVER® coupon book in your local newspaper. With more than $109 in savings in each book, you can feel good about purchasing your favorite products, especially when the savings also translate into funds for Special Olympics. For each coupon redeemed, P&G will donate 3 cents to Special Olympics. And there’s no limit! So get your coupon books and help change someone’s life. 

Find a local newspaper that carries the P&GbrandSAVER® coupon book.

To further support Special Olympics, P&G, Proud Sponsor of Moms, is also celebrating all the advice and words of wisdom moms share with their families with its “A Word From Mom” campaign. Everyone – from those who have moms to those who are moms – is invited to participate at the Thank You, Mom Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thankyoumom). Visitors to the page can add their own mom wisdom, “like” their favorites and read P&G’s collection of wise words from celebrity moms and Special Olympics supporters. Supporters can also help boost P&G’s donation to Special Olympics by liking the Thank You Mom page. For every new fan that likes the page through February 28, 2012, P&G will donate $1 to Special Olympics, up to $100,000.

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A Holiday Message from Special Olympics New Jersey:

Dear Friends,

As we bring to a close a great 2011 program, I extend a sincere thank you to our volunteers and sponsors and congratulate our families and athletes on a truly exceptional year.

In this holiday season I encourage you to celebrate all that is good in family and friendships and to share the many stories and successes experienced on the playing field, in pools and on basketball courts throughout the state…..but I also ask that you serve as ambassadors and reach out to more athletes, donors and volunteers. And in the holiday spirit, I ask you to honor athletes and volunteers through joining and/or promoting our 2011 “Medal” Campaign to help launch another extraordinary year. The messages that will be posted on our website in this campaign will represent the many stories that define the greatness of this movement.

In 2012 we challenge all who are good to be great, and those great to be greater as we continue to prepare for an even bigger and exciting program year. To all, have a great holiday and have a very healthy and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Marc Edenzon
President
Special Olympics New Jersey

Other Ways to Get Involved!
Volunteer – Learn more about our various volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The latest is our 2012 Winter Games in February.

Compete – Sign up as an athlete or join our Unified Sports program.

Support – There are many ways to support the athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey beyond making a donation. Do a Polar Bear Plunge this winter or run in the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge or RunAPalooza this spring. Visit our fundraising calendar for more exciting events.

Stay Up on All Things Special Olympics New Jersey!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or text SONJ to 27138 for mobile alerts.

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Arms raised in victory, head bowed waiting for the slip of satin, heart thumping in anticipation – earning that medal feels so good!

Every Special Olympics athlete has waited for this moment. They have trained, competed and pushed to achieve their personal best like any serious athlete. They have also fought for inclusion, dignity and acceptance along the way. Genuine pride and joy is felt throughout, the instant that medal bounces off their chest.

Special Olympics New Jersey is excited to announce our online Medal Campaign, a new way to celebrate the achievements of an athlete, coach, team or volunteer or to pay tribute to a loved one.

Simply make your tax-deductible gift through our secure Medal Campaign website, where you can create a customizable message to someone who has inspired you. Our Medal and Ribbons page proudly displays all of the medals and ribbons purchased through this campaign for a minimum of three months.

Your contribution will be used towards the purchase of awards, construction of ceremony venues, ceremony decorations, and an Olympic-style awards presentation at the conclusion of competitions.

Support the Special Olympics New Jersey Medal Campaign today and help athletes build the foundation for a lifetime of confidence and achievement.

 

 

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Guest blogger Kevin McCormac was the recipient of the 2011 S. Michael Higgins Scholarship Award, which he received at the Awards Dinner on November 18th. Today, Kevin shares how he felt to be selected for this honor.

Kevin McCormac (holding plaque) with his family
at the 2011 Awards Dinner on November 18th

Hi, my name is Kevin McCormac. I have been participating in Special Olympics as an athlete for 18 years. I’m also a Global Messenger and have given many speeches to promote Special Olympics.

I started in track, where I played for my school – Burlington County Special Services. In 1997, I started playing floor hockey for BCI, which is an independent program. I played for the Phantoms and moved up to the Flyers, the first division team, three years later. I also participate in flag football, basketball, and tennis.

Kevin's Team USA hockey team

In 2009, the Flyers were picked to represent New Jersey at the World Games in Boise, Idaho. It was an awesome experience and an honor to be part of Team USA. There were over 500 athletes from all over the United States participating. We had a week in Colorado for training camp, where we trained and in 2003 my Family was awarded the Family of the Year award, Chapter level.

I thought that was an honor, but in October of this year, I received a letter from Special Olympics New Jersey. Before I opened it, I thought it was about my application for the Athlete Congress. But! When I found out I had won the S. Michael Higgins Scholarship Award, I was very surprised and excited.

I have to tell you, I was very nervous about accepting this prestigious award. I had a great time during dinner and all the award presentations, with family and friends around me.

Kevin and Eric LeGrand at the Awards Dinner

I had the pleasure of meeting Gregg Matteo, a board member sitting at our table, and we had a few laughs. I thought the keynote speaker Eric LeGrand was a great motivator, and after the awards, I had the great pleasure of talking to him and his family. They were very excited about coming out to support us.

Just before it was time to accept my award, my brother Chris, a board member, got up to give a speech. I realized then that his speech was about me. That made me happy.

I am honored to be included with all the distinguished award recipients, one of which I know personally  – Nicole Schroeder, the Bessie Perlman Achievement Award recipient. (Go Nicole!) I send my congratulations to you all!

When I started in Special Olympics, I was very shy. Now I have the confidence to walk up to anyone and have a conversation. Special Olympics has given me many Moms, and many additional family members.

I want to thank the person that nominated me. I appreciate it. I also want to thank all my family and coaches for everything they have helped me with. Thank You!

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Athlete Joseph Barry gives the thumbs up as he's inducted into the Hall of Fame.

This past Friday, November 18, Special Olympics New Jersey held its annual Awards Dinner at the Princeton Westin.

This special night highlighted a year of athletic achievement, honored volunteers for their unyielding dedication to the Special Olympics movement, recognized a training program for its growing impact on its community through both traditional and unified play, paid tribute to the Law Enforcement Torch Run community, and celebrated the achievements of the Team USA athletes who made New Jersey proud in Athens, Greece at the World Games.

Eric LeGrand spreads his BELIEVE message to a standing-room-only crowd.

Special guest Eric LeGrand gave a heartwarming keynote address focused on believing in yourself. Eric is a Rutgers University student who suffered a devastating injury in 2010 during a football game, which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Throughout his rehabilitation, Eric has shown the entire nation a tremendous amount of courage and strength. His mantra, and the mantra of those who support him, is BELIEVE. Eric has been a supporter of SONJ, leading the athlete parade at the 2011 Summer Games, where he addressed the crowd of thousands.

HERE ARE THE 2011 HONOREES:

Family of the Year: The Hutchison Family

Outstanding Local Training Program: Montgomery Special Olympics

Lifetime Achievement Award: Deborah Snyder

Hall of Fame Inductee: Nancy & Rick Newman

Hall of Fame Inductee: Joseph Barry

Outstanding Coach of the Year – Area: Denise Bawiec

Outstanding Coach of the Year – Chapter: Vic Bove

Individual Volunteer of the Year – Area: Lois Arace

Individual Volunteer of the Year – Chapter: Lenny Yanchar

Outstanding Volunteer Group: Grainger

Outstanding Athlete – Fall Sports: Alex Buzgo

Outstanding Athlete – Winter Sports: Dane Klewsaat

Outstanding Athlete – Spring Sports: Cindy Saunders

Outstanding Athlete – Summer Sports: Margo Lee

2011 Spirit Award Winner: Riverwinds

2011 Spirit Award Winner: Mike Laverty

2011 Spirit Award Winner: Jennifer Appaluccio

Law Enforcement Torch Run Wall of Recognition: Lou Hannon

Bessie Perlman Achievement Award: Nicole Schroeder

S. Michael Higgins Scholarship Award: Kevin McCormac

All of the honorees, and all of the guests who attended the Awards Dinner, played an important role over the past year in advancing the Special Olympics movement in New Jersey. To see photos of all the recipients, CLICK HERE.

COMING SOON: Kevin McCormac, the S. Michael Higgins Scholarship recipient, will share his thoughts on this honor.