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Eunice Kennedy Shriver

1921 - 2009

As a fan of Special Olympics, you're no doubt well aware of the passing of Special Olympics' Founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, on August 11.

Countless tributes from around the world filled papers and magazines, television, radio, and the Internet. People showed their respect in 140 character eulogies on Twitter. They attempted to put words to their thoughts and feelings on Facebook and blog posts. The volume and sincerity of these outpourings of respect and gratitude were overwhelming.

This is not our first communication to our fans about Mrs. Shriver's passing, and it will certainly not be the last time we call upon her vision, her determination and her passion to spur us on.  For she was more than our Founder, more than our hero, she was our matriarch - raising the global family called Special Olympics.

Brady Lum the President of Special Olympics, recently spoke about meeting Mrs. Shriver for the first time, toward the end of her life. He was telling her how much he regretted not having been able to see her in action. She grabbed his hand and said "always remember, Special Olympics is owned by the future, not the past."

And so it is with these words in mind that we press on, that we grow, and create a better future for our athletes and for all people with intellectual disabilities.

We will be honoring Mrs. Shriver at our competitions throughout the year, and we invite you to join us in honoring her memory by carrying on her legacy, however you can. Volunteer at a competition in your hometown. Make a donation. Become a coach. Or simply join us in continuing Mrs. Shriver's quest to create a world of equality and acceptance for, as she would always say, "our special friends." 

To learn more about Eunice Kennedy Shriver's life and legacy, visit www.eunicekennedyshriver.org

Florida Cartoonist's Tribute Garners
National Attention

Political commentary is usually the subject of Orlando Sentinel cartoonist Dana Summers' work. But upon hearing of the passing of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Summers made an exception.

Summers' tribute cartoon (pictured left) depicts Mrs. Shriver running toward the gates of heaven with the angels ready to greet her with a gold medal.

Through a series of e-mails (fittingly enough set in motion by  Silvia Haas, Florida's Coach of the Year and Laurie Chmielewski, Special Olympics North America's Coach of the Year), the cartoon made its way to Tim Shriver (Chairman of the Special Olympics Board of Directors) and the other Shriver children in Hyannis Port, MA. The family was touched by the way Summers captured their mother's spirit.

The cartoon received national attention and Dana Summers and Tribune Media Services have since generously granted Special Olympics the ability to use the image to help further Mrs. Shriver's legacy.

Thank you Dana, for so eloquently honoring Mrs. Shriver!

The Tampa Bay Bucs and Special Olympics: Mutual Fans

Each year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers invite Special Olympics athletes out to their training camp for the Junior Gatorade Training Camp; a fun punt, pass and kick-style clinic.

And this year, nearly 80 Special Olympics athletes took to the grid iron on August 5th to test their football skills with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Bucs' training facility in Tampa.

See why this day gave "fantasy football" a new meaning for our athletes...Read More

Check out this fantastic video of the day that the Bucs produced!

View and download photos!

Special Olympics Florida is on Facebook!

Are you on Facebook? Well so are we!

Become a fan of our page at www.facebook.com/specialolympicsflorida and interact with other fans, stay in the loop on all that's happening, access exclusive content and news, videos, photos, Tweets and more!

So encourage all your Facebook friends to check out our page and become fans of Special Olympics Florida!

Golf and More Golf!

Despite some light rain, spirits were high and competition was friendly at our State Golf Championships, September 11-12.

180 athletes from throughout the state competed in 9 and 18 hole play (traditional and Unified) and individual skills. Special thanks to our host venue, Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club in Clermont and to all the volunteers who braved the elements to make the weekend great for our athletes! Check out results!

In August, Florida golfers Shawn Durity, Shawn Williams and Todd Kleiber (all from Naples), Kyle Muzina of Homosassa, and Unified Partner and Head Delegate Bill Behnke, joined more than 200 golfers from 21 states at the 10th Annual Special Olympics National Golf Invitational tournament at Mahoney Golf Course and Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska, July 21 - August 3.

Shawn Durity and Bill Behnke took the silver medal in their division of Level 2 Unified Alternate Shot play. Kyle Muzina took the bronze medal in his division of Men's 18-hole individual stroke play. Shawn Williams took the gold medal in his division of Men's 18-hole individual stroke play. And Todd Kleiber and Kelly Stevenson finished with silver medals in the Level 2 alternate shot team play competition.

Special Olympics golf offers five levels of competition for athletes of different abilities. Level I is an individual skills contest, where six golf skills are tested. Level II is an alternate shot team play, where a Special Olympics athlete is paired with a non-Special Olympics partner of more advanced skill for a 9-hole competition. Level III is Unified Sports® team play, pairing Special Olympics and Unified partners of similar ability for an 18-hole competition. Levels IV and V are individual stroke-play 9-hole and 18-hole competitions, respectively. Competition for levels I, III & V took place at Highlands Golf Course, while Level II & IV competitors played at Mahoney Golf Course.

Nick Angelicas: Athlete and Artist

Sarasota athlete Nick Angelicas had his photography shown during the Florida Professional Photographer's annual convention in Orlando in August. The organization's officers even made Nick an honorary member!

Professional photographer Marcia Minutello and her husband mentored Nick on technique, subject matter and composition, resulting in a series of still life images.

Debbie Alcorn of Reedy Photo Processing in St. Petersburg (and VP of the FPP) donated the photo processing for Nick's images.

Pictured right: Nick with officers of the Florida Professional Photographer's association, in front of his work.

Upcoming Events

Island Hop - A Special Olympics Florida Evening of Island Adventure  NEW EVENT!  Saturday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m., Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando. Delectable regional cuisine, refreshing cocktails, live entertainment and a host of activities await you at every turn as you stroll amongst the lush landscaped grounds and tropical waters of Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando. You may even win a trip to one of our many island destinations!   Ready to escape? Visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org/islandhop to start your island adventure!

Jack in the Park - Tampa: NEW EVENT! December 5, Old Hyde Park Village, Tampa. Jack heads to the West coast! Join us for our first annual Jack in the Park in Tampa. For a suggested donation of $75, you'll receive entry into the party including food, drink & the blackjack tournament. Presented by Gray-Robinson Attorneys at Law. Get more info and register now!

Central Florida High School All-star Football Game: December 17, 7:30PM, Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs. Admission is $5 at the gate, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Florida. This event showcases the best of Central Florida's high school football players and cheerleaders. Love football and Special Olympics? This is the event for you!