Special Olympics New York Accredited by Special Olympics International

Special Olympics New York Accredited by Special Olympics International

July 6, 2022

Dear Ms. Racino,

     I know how deeply you care about people with intellectual disabilities-and how much you want them to discover newfound joy, self-confidence and pride through Special Olympics.

     Thatś why Iḿ eager for you to hear about an extraordinary opportunity that can truly change the lives of our athletes.

     Our founding partner, The Coca-Cola Company, has agreed to match every dollar you donate, up to $100,000, to help twice as many athletes succeed on and off the field. 

    That means when you give by August 31, your gift of $5 becomes $10, your $10 becomes $20, and your especially generous $15 becomes $30.

     Our athletes not only enjoy sports training and competition with their teammates, they embrace the support, encouragement and guidance they receive from the entire Special Olympics community. All this leads to new independence and life-changing confidence both on and off the field. 

     Itś heartbreaking to think of everything our athletes endured during the worst months of the pandemic. And for many of them, the isolation was a reminder of the loneliness they dealt with for a lifetime..simply for being different. 

     Your gift will make possible every moment of joy, laughter, and relief for our athletes.

     Whether itś basketball, soccer, bowling or one of the many other sports that change our athletes'lives, we are there for them. And no matter what obstacles we face, weĺl show up, day after day, to help them become their very best selves. 

     But we can do this without you.

     Please be as generous as you can while your gift will go twice as far. Iḿ sure you know that your support has never been more important than it is today. On behalf of all our athletes, thank you. 

Sincerely,

Stacey B. Hengsterman

President and CEO

Special Olympics New York

Timothy Shriver

Chairman of Board

Special Olympics

Letter excerpt online 8/22/22 with Syracuse University a host of Central New York Special Olympics; Special Olympics, New York, 94 New Karner Road, Suite 208, Albany, NY 12203. specialolympicsny.org

Shared with Stacey Hengstermann, three years ago

Ch. 24 Special Olympics and Athletes with Down Syndrome by Thomas B. Songster then Sr. VP of Sports Policy and Research, Special Olympics  in Washington, DC.

Ch. 25 Youth and Community Life: Expanding Options and Choices by Julie Ann Racino, listed as President and Director at Community and Policy Studies (legal entity), 208 Henry Street, Rome, NY 13440. 

In the edited book Adolescents with Down Syndrome (1997) in which Eunice Kennedy Shriver authored the Foreword. Editors were Siegfried Pueschel who has since died (as has Eunice Shriver) and Maria Sustrova from Slovakia (See, 2014 reports on the Czech and Slovak Republics from back in 1991!)

In relationship to the book, Paul Wehmanś university team in Virginia and Jan Nisbetś university team in New Hampshire also authored chapters as did Stuart Schleienś team at University of Minnesota. In the private sector, we were also involved with Richard Luecking and know the Falveys as behavioral services at inclusive schooling. 

H.D. Bud Fredericks was from TASH, where I founded and chaired the Housing Committee (via Syracuse University) pre and post supportive living with group homes and ICF-MRs (intermediate care facilities, US small community program).  I also met with Bill Kiernan (supported employment and Childrenś Hospital) in Boston, MA in 1996 as Community and Policy Studies. 

Julie Ann Racino said yes in an instant at adolescents from Cornell University studies in human development from School of Human Ecology!