Major Gifts Campaign
Progress Report - Spring 2006
Special Olympics Wisconsin's (SOWI) first ever major gifts initiative, The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin, is already impacting Wisconsin's growing number of athletes.
As we welcome spring and what will be a busy and exciting season of competition for the nearly 10,000 athletes in Wisconsin, this is also a great time to reflect on the successes the organization has achieved in the past few months. It is with your gifts that we’ve been able to continue to make strides in the three goals of The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Goal #1 – Increase number of registered athletes
Since the campaign to recruit new athletes began in January 2004, 1,844 new athletes have registered with Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI). With the addition of 267 new athletes in just the first three months of 2006, we are keeping on track to meet our goal of 10,000 new athletes in 10 years. And, with each new athlete who joins our program, we are truly impacting the lives of not only the athletes but also their friends and families, like the Rogers – who are also donors to the campaign and endowment fund:
“Our daughter is now 10-years-old. This has been the first year she has participated in Special Olympics and it has been a wonderful experience for her and for us. I have learned some of the most important lessons in my life through participation in athletics and it is great to see her learning those lessons as well. She went to her first gymnastics meet in March and was so excited each time her name was called during the presentations that she ran up to get her ribbons. The meet was on a Sunday and on Monday morning I walked into my living room to find her practicing her gymnastics routine. She is definitely learning some of life's lessons! We look forward to our daughter’s upcoming years in the Special Olympics. I know that not only will she have the opportunity to meet some great people, have some great fun, and learn some great lessons, the rest of our family will have that same opportunity as well. We also feel proud that we are doing our part to make sure there are the same opportunities for future generations.”
GOAL 2 – Acceptance and Inclusion
While Special Olympics Wisconsin grows in numbers and opportunities, one of the most important steps is incorporating our athletes’ thoughts and perspectives about many of the organization’s initiatives. To that end, a state-wide Athlete Input Council has been created. The committee includes representation from all seven SOWI areas around the state, will guide the Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs) efforts as well as provide feedback and serve as a resource for SOWI.
Also, to prepare athletes for leadership roles – like the Input Council – both within and outside of Special Olympics, the ALPs program continues to offer several training workshops. In March, 17 athletes completed a beginner-level training session. By utilizing distance learning (video technology), SOWI is making it easier for any interested athlete to participate in the program, without worries of travel arrangements and accommodations.
GOAL 3 – Sustainability
As of August 2007, $351,365 has been raised through The Campaign. $14,230 of the total donated has been designated to the Endowment Fund.
To further insure the future of Special Olympics Wisconsin, we are also working to build our Planned Giving Program to not only provide future gifts but also help our donors make a significant impact on our organization while receiving personal benefits.
This is clearly an exciting and challenging time for Special Olympics Wisconsin. Together with friends like you, we will carry on the mission of Special Olympics to thousands more athletes in the state. Thank you for your commitment to making that happen.
Cumulative gifts received as of September 2007
Leadership Circle
- Dennis Alldridge
- Grace L Birk Estate
- Tim Christen
- Eunice Collins Estate
- David J. French
- Dan & Julie Hartung
- Carol Kling
- Chuck and Vicki Nason
- Florence Whitefield Trust
- George Whitley
Gold Medal Circle
- Rebecca Adlam
- Walter & Vicki Babineau
- Isabel Bader
- Doug Chickering
- Reverend Janis K. Doleshal
- Michael Fleming
- James Fowler
- Kerry A. Gloede
- Steve Holzhueter
- Ronald Johnson
- Brian D. Lammi
- Joanne Maass
- Joan L. Marzocco
- Tom and Terese Pierce
- Tom & Sheri Price
- William and Marcia Rameker
- Carol A. Reynolds
- Ken & Julie Rogers
- Carolyn S. Smith, M.D.
- Mowry Smith
- William Strub
- Richard F. Swenson
- Gerald C. Vite
- Randy & Kelly Wright
Olympic Circle
- Laurie Irwin
- Donald Katz
- Kelly Kloepping
- Greg & Linda Prairie
- Randy Williams & Lori Kampa Williams
Heroes Circle
- Faye Borchert
- Amy Free Brecher
- John & Eunice Chapman
- Scott A. Dahlhauser
- Mark Gambill
- Pat Gottfried & Jim Gilson
- Karin S. Hawley
- Steven Heaney
- Coyla Heike
- Patricia Lyons
- Janice Moen
- John Schreiber
- Kahryn Shillin
- Norris Tibetts
- Linda Wise
About Gordon...
Gordon
Hodge has participated in Special Olympics Wisconsin more than 17 years. He trains
and competes in track & field, swimming, bowling, softball, volleyball, snowshoe
racing and basketball. In addition to a heavy training schedule, Gordon works two
part-time jobs; his work ethic is admirable. Through Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs)
training, Gordon also learned coaching skills and has been coaching Team Basketball
for three years. Serving on the Special Olympics Wisconsin Board of Directors is a
new and exciting challenge.
"I remember when Special Olympics sent out a nomination survey that wanted to know if anyone would be interested in being a candidate for the Board of Directors. I think what made me feel like I could be on the Board of Directors was my ALPs training. I had taken the Governance program with ALPs where they talked about being on committees and how to speak in front of board members. When I first applied, I didn't know if I would get it or not, because there were so many interviewed. I had to wait for awhile until I knew for sure. Then at Indoor Sports Tournament this year, they welcomed me to be on the Board. I've been with SOWI for over 17 years. All my experiences have made me a better person. I learn as I go from different people."
Letter from Leadership
Consider this: After thirty-one years, there are now more than 10,000 Special Olympics athletes in Wisconsin. The stark reality is, there are more than 60,000 people in Wisconsin with a cognitive disability. With your help, we hope to reach 10,000 more of them.
This is our first-ever major gifts initiative. It would have been easy to fill the following pages with sad photos of the environments faced by most people with cognitive disabilities, but Special Olympics Wisconsin has never been about that. We have always strived to show the accomplishments of our athletes, and demonstrate to Wisconsin what people with cognitive disabilities can do, not only in sports, but in life. They just need the chance.
As you look at the accomplishments on the following pages, keep in mind the challenges that lie ahead. For every picture you see of an athlete who has been given a chance, there are 50,000 more people like him or her who will never have the opportunity to reach their full potential, unless we do something about it.
With your support through The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin, we can help athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and build a self-confidence that carries over into their day-to-day lives. Thank you.
Jerry Vite , Chairman of the Board, Special Olympics Wisconsin
Dennis Alldridge, President and CEO, Special Olympics Wisconsin
Changing Wisconsin in 10,000 Ways
Since 1973, Special Olympics Wisconsin has empowered people with cognitive disabilities to emerge through sports as inspiring and heroic competitors. Involvement in sports has a profound impact on participants – it improves their health and physical well-being, builds their social confidence and gives them the voice to become engaging and productive members of their families and communities. Just as importantly, our athletes help shatter the stigma and stereotypes that have historically been placed on those with mental handicaps.
Despite our growth and accomplishments, Special Olympics Wisconsin still serves only one-sixth of Wisconsin’s more than 60,000 people with cognitive disabilities.
The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin will allow more athletes a chance to participate and experience the benefits of Special Olympics. Our goal is clear: to involve 10,000 new athletes in Special Olympics Wisconsin.
By reading about this Campaign, you will see that Special Olympics Wisconsin has developed dynamic plans to reach more people with cognitive disabilities, along with their families and communities. Help us bring the Special Olympics Wisconsin message of acceptance, hope and quality of life to more people in more ways.
Growth
A chance to ... create opportunities to train, compete and grow
Special Olympics Wisconsin’s core mission is to provide sports training and competition to people with cognitive disabilities. It’s through these programs that the fitness, confidence and pride of Special Olympics athletes are manifested.
There is enormous potential to expand and offer these training and competition benefits to even more people. To accomplish this, The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin will help identify athletes, coaches and volunteers; build local volunteer leadership and programs; create regular and well-run competitions and events; and fully integrate Special Olympics into local communities.
Acceptance and Inclusion
A chance to ... empower 10,000 athletes to lead to the next generation of the Special Olympics movement.
While Special Olympics trains people to develop athletic skills, athletes are also encouraged to transfer their drive, determination and enthusiasm to life beyond the playing field. Through the Athlete Leadership Program, many athletes learn to step out, speak up and lead the movement.
The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin will help more athletes become public speakers, coaches, Special Olympics officials, or board members. It will also equip them to handle media opportunities, speaking engagements, or meetings with public officials. In so doing, our athletes provide the most direct and powerful testimony to the true potential of people with cognitive disabilities in our society.
To expand this highly effective program, Special Olympics Wisconsin will train instructors and develop athlete-focused materials. We will develop curriculum and provide seed money for additional Athlete Congresses, where athletes can come together to make decisions, implement changes within the movement and decide how they can best promote Special Olympics to the world outside.
Sustainability
A chance to ... help a special needs population well into the future
As an integral component of our economic development and stability plan, Special Olympics Wisconsin will establish an Endowment Fund. Income generated by the Fund will be directed towards continuing operations and helping ensure that quality programming continues. The principal will never be touched. Our campaign donors can choose to put their dollars to work for the future through this Fund.
The Campaign for Special Olympics Wisconsin: a new and very special way for you to help 10,000 more Wisconsin neighbors with cognitive disabilities. We hope you join us in celebrating their efforts and celebrating their lives.
For More Information, Contact:
Pat McKeon
Director of Development
Phone: (414) 526-6044
pmckeon@specialolympicswisconsin.org
Download the Campaign Brochure (Adobe PDF)