Comcast has teamed up with Special Olympics Washington and Washington States world class athletes to present Comcast Local Heroes. The campaign is in support of some of the most inspirational people the athletes that are preparing to compete in Vancouver, BC, early in 2010 and the athletes of Special Olympics Washington.

Included in the Comcast Local Heroes team are the states most talented current and former winter athletes, along with two athletes representing Special Olympics Washington - Shelby Corno of Sammamish, and Kenneth Larson of Tukwila.
To meet the Comcast Local Heroes team, click here.

The team will be featured in a variety of print and broadcast media and will raise awareness of the many aspiring world class athletes within our state and of the athletes of Special Olympics Washington. In addition the promotion will raise funds through the sale of Comcast Local Heroes Commemorative Pins, with proceeds to benefit the Comcast Local Heroes and Special Olympics Washington.

Be a hero. Buy a pin! Order Pins

January/February 2010
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
When Amy Cheng of Evergreen Home Loans went to the GVCC Business After Hours sposored by Columbia Credit Union, the last thing on her mind was powerlifting. John Borgognoni, Bill Southern, and Terry Babin of Special Olympics Washington didn't have powerlifting on the networking agenda when they showe upeither, but all that soon changed.

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS WASHINGTON LAUNCHES PROJECT UNIFY
Federal Grant To Fund Existing Program And Expansion

SEATTLE – Special Olympics Washington is the recipient of an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue and expand the organizations’ Young Athletes program which encourages and engages all students in volunteering and/or participating in Special Olympics activities.

Project Unify serves as the starting point for the Young Athletes program: an innovative sports play program designed for children with intellectual disabilities, ages 2 – 7, as an introduction to the world of sports, prior to traditional Special Olympics eligibility at the age of eight. The program includes and encourages students without intellectual disabilities to participate as well. Read More>>

Special Olympics Athlete Story
We are the proud parents of Special Olympics athlete Mike Bailey. That’s him in the photo above. Last week you may have seen a note highlighting our son’s participation with Special Olympics and we wanted to share what this experience has meant to Mike and our entire family.

Mike was our second child of four and we were just turning 30 when we had him. We didn’t even know what Down syndrome was, so it was quite an eye opener!

Our neighbors and early intervention programs were so helpful. For Mike’s first birthday, we had a party to thank all our neighbors for their incredible support. Imagine a hot August night with over 80 people singing Happy Birthday to a beautiful little boy.

But we are most grateful to his teacher who recommended Special Olympics when Mike was seven. Right away, he was making friends, having fun and gaining self-esteem. And we were meeting other families who are still our friends. Since that time, we’ve rarely missed a chance to see him compete or be part of a medal ceremony.

Today, Mike is often described as having two moods, happy and happier. He loves the people and activities in his busy life.

From the start, Special Olympics was different than many other activities for people like Mike, because there was no prejudging about how much success he could have or what he could do.

We invite you to read more about our son’s journey with Special Olympics and see photos.

Special Olympics provides a much-appreciated program for people with special needs who otherwise would not have an organized way to participate in such amazing sporting activities.

And we realize it would not be possible without Special Olympics friends like you. Thank you so much!

David and Karen Bailey
Parents of Special Olympics Athlete Mike Bailey