Wisconsin staff visits nation's capital & state's capital to further the movement
Washington D.C. - Staff from Special Olympics Wisconsin recently spent a day on Capital Hill in Washington, DC as the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act is up for renewal. In 2004, Congress recognized the need for funding by passing the Act, which authorizes $15 million in annual federal funding to support Special Olympics program growth and improvement in the United States and around the world.
Special Olympics relies largely upon private donations and enormous volunteer support to enable year-round sports programs and supportive services to more than 10,000 athletes in Wisconsin, 500,000 in the United States and 2.5 million athletes worldwide.
For every federal dollar that was received by Special Olympics in 2007, there were over 10 non-federal dollars raised, making this $15 million funding move a beneficial one. This federal support will strengthen sports programs, promote volunteerism, increase Healthy Athletes screening and outreach, as well as efforts to bring Special Olympics to more people with cognitive disabilities across the globe.
Madison, WI - On the state level, Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) is working with state officials in the months ahead as the possibility of offering tax payers an income tax check off box. Under the proposed legislation, anyone who is supposed to get money back on their state income tax return from 2008 may designate any cash amount of additional payment or refund to instead be given to the Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Two state lawmakers, Senator Julie Lassa, (D-Plover) and Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) have circulated the bill that could help Special Olympics Wisconsin expand its programs. Dennis Alldridge, president of SOWI, has already shared testimony in front of the Senate and House committee explaining the need for this bill and where the new funding would go if the bill was passed. The bill is currently stuck in the Joint Finance Committee, and as the legislature convenes again, we will be asking for help from our athletes, families, coaches and volunteers in moving this Bill to the floor for passage.
"We're more than just sports, and this is where this new funding will make a huge impact on the state of Wisconsin," Alldridge says as he focuses on bringing income to SOWI's Healthy Athletes Program, a major effort to improve the health of people with cognitive disabilities.
Stay tuned as the bill moves forward.