MANHATTAN - The 14th annual Special Olympics New York Metro Tournament will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverbank State Park at 145th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan on Saturday, June 1.

One thousand Special Olympics athletes from the five boroughs, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley will compete in Aquatics, Basketball, Gymnastics, Track & Field, Volleyball and Powerlifting, making this the largest Special Olympics competition of the year in the metropolitan area.

Metro Tournament is a Sectional level competition. Athletes competing there go on to the statewide Summer Games in Buffalo, June 13 to 16, where they can qualify for the 2003 World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. with competition to follow from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, there will be entertainment, including music, carnival games, arts & crafts and more all day in the Olympic Village.

Admission is free and the public is encouraged to come out to the park to support and cheer on these great athletes.

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Founded in 1970, Special Olympics New York is the largest Special Olympics program in the United States, providing sports opportunities to nearly 40,000 athletes through a network of 30,000 volunteers.

For more information, contact Melissa Gross at (212) 661-3963 or visit www.specialolympicsnewyork.org.

April 2, 2002

The day of fun will also feature a silent auction and raffle drawings, including a VIP evening for two with Nascar Drivers Tony Stewart and Dave Blaney at Lebanon Valley Speedway. Following the races, children ages 8 and up will be able to take their turn at the wheel for a $5 donation to Special Olympics. Younger children can ride in the passenger side of the two-seater go-karts with a qualified driver.

The benefit will also feature a miniature golf tournament for all ages, refreshments, appearances by Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers, and plenty of fun for families.

CARQUEST, which supplies the professional automotive service repair industry with replacement parts, tools and equipment, has encouraged its dealers to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics by hosting fund-raising events on

April 6 and throughout the year. CARQUEST hopes to raise $1.2 million nationally through this initiative, with all proceeds benefiting children and adults with mental retardation who are served by Special Olympics.

Randy’s Auto Parts, an independently owned and operated CARQUEST Auto Parts store, has gotten behind National Torch Run Awareness Day in a big way.

“Randy’s Auto Parts is honored to be hosting this event for Special Olympics,” said Suzann Chamberland, marketing coordinator for Randy’s Auto Parts. “Special Olympics gives children and adults with mental retardation a chance to show the world that they are capable of setting goals and then achieving them, and that they can dream of greatness and then chase those dreams like everyone. We invite the community, especially families, to come out on Saturday, learn a little about Special Olympics, have a lot of fun, and meet some very special athletes.”

CARQUEST Auto Parts is the premier international partner of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The Torch Run supports a wide variety of fund-raising activities, with 100 percent of the funds staying in the state where they are raised.

The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is to raise funds for – and awareness of – the Special Olympics movement worldwide. Law enforcement officers from every state and more than 30 countries carry the Flame of Hope in honor of Special Olympics athletes in their home towns and around the world.

Participants in the Torch Run Nationals must pre-register by visiting Randy’s Auto Parts at 1225 Curry Road, Rotterdam, or by phone, 355-3120. The participation fee is a $50 donation to Special Olympics. Tickets for the miniature golf tournament are $5. For more information, contact Suzann Chamberland at 355-3120.

For more information about CARQUEST’s support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit www.carquest.com. For information about Special Olympics, visit www.specialolympicsnewyork.org.

SCHENECTADY -- Special Olympics, Inc. announced Brooklyn resident Rodney Hankins as one of 12 members of the new class of Sargent Shriver Global Messengers.

Hankins will serve as a spokesman for Special Olympics, the global sports organization for children and adults with mental retardation. Representing Special Olympics New York in the North American region and promoting the worldwide Special Olympic movement, Hankins will serve a two-year term as a Global Messenger, in addition to maintaining his regular sports training and competition schedule.

This year, more than 100 Special Olympics athletes from 48 Special Olympics programs were nominated for the honor. Athletes were evaluated on their history of advocacy, public speaking aptitude, sportsmanship, personality, and enthusiasm for the Special Olympics movement.

“Special Olympics must reach more athletes, more families, more communities and countries,” said Timothy P. Shriver, president and CEO of Special Olympics. “Rodney Hankins is our leader, our message-bearer, communicating the Special Olympics message to a world of new audiences. Theirs is a powerful message of hope, acceptance and dignity and a clarion call for the world to recognize our athletes’ courage and achievements.”

Hankins, 40, is a Track & Field athlete who has won numerous medals at all levels of Special Olympics competition, including Silvers and Golds at the 1995 and 1999 World Summer Games. He has participated in non-Special Olympics track events such as the1996 Paralympic Trials in Atlanta and the 1998 Goodwill Games Special Olympics exhibition races. Other races he has participated in over the years include the Penn Relays, the Millrose Games and numerous runs in and around New York City.

He lives on his own in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and holds a full time job at ABC-TV in Manhattan where he works in the accounting department.

"This is a tremendous honor," Hankins said. "I always dreamt of something like this. I just hope I can help out in any way I can. I hope I can make an impact for the athletes, especially."

The 2002 Class of Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers
Tamana Chona, Special Olympics India/Bharat
Rodney Hankins, Special Olympics New York
Jack Hess, Special Olympics Manitoba, Canada
Erin Holloway, Special Olympics Colorado
Chan Tim Lei, Special Olympics Macao
Paul Marretti, Special Olympics Virginia
Katie Meade, Special Olympics Iowa
Alvaro Miranda, Special Olympics Peru
Ephraim Mohlakane, Special Olympics South Africa
Maysaa Sandakly, Special Olympics Lebanon
Serena Silva, Special Olympics Italy
Leonid Stroilin, Special Olympics Russia

Over the next two years, the Global Messengers will serve a vital role in changing public attitudes and perceptions about individuals with mental retardation. They will address audiences of government officials, schools, celebrities, families and the general public, telling their personal stories of Special Olympics, the movement’s mission and vision and its life-changing impact on those with mental retardation.

Special Olympics announced its first Global Messenger class in 1998 to commemorate Special Olympics’ 30th anniversary. The athletes, chosen from every region of the world, served as pioneers for the new spirit of athlete empowerment within the Special Olympics movement. Many have distinguished themselves, not only in the Special Olympics sports arena, but receiving national awards, writing a book, competing in numerous mainstream marathons, serving as a news reporter and participating in U.S. Presidential Summit on volunteerism.

"Special Olympics, Inc. has done an outstanding job in selecting Rodney Hankins as one of its representatives to spread the message of the Special Olympics movement throughout the world," said Neal J. Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics New York.

"He is an outstanding and dedicated athlete who has the sincerity and polish to be a great Global Messenger. He will make his family, community and fellow athletes very proud."

Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. More than one million athletes in more than 160 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-style sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with mental retardation continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics.

Special Olympics is grateful to its Global Partners — The Phoenix Companies, Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, The Coca-Cola Company and Lions Clubs International -- for providing ongoing funding and support to its global mission.

For more information, call Jim Smith at 518-388-0790 or visit Special Olympics New York online at www.specialolympicsnewyork.org.

March 7, 2002

COLONIE – Local law enforcement officers will trade in their uniforms for serving trays, and take their oath to “serve” and protect to a new level when they take part in the annual Cops and Lobsters benefit March 8 and 9 at the Wolf Road Red Lobster restaurant.

Acting as celebrity waiters, the officers will receive donations in the form of tips during lunch and dinner on both days, with all proceeds benefiting the Law Enforcement Torch Run® to benefit Special Olympics New York. The Torch Run is part of a year-round, grassroots fund-raising campaign by law enforcement agencies to benefit Special Olympics.

Law enforcement officers and administrators have actively supported Special Olympics since 1981. Similar Cops and Lobsters events will be held in March, April and May at Red Lobster restaurants in the United States and Canada.

Last year, thousands of officers participated in Cops and Lobsters events held at nearly 600 Red Lobster restaurants, raising a record $1.2 million. Red Lobster patrons in New York donated $45,000 at more than 20 Red Lobster restaurants during last year’s promotion.

“The relationship between the law enforcement community, Red Lobster restaurants and Special Olympics is a wonderful example of how corporations help the communities in which they operate, said Neal J. Johnson president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics New York, Inc. “Through the support of law enforcement officers across the state, Special Olympics athletes will continue to benefit from quality Special Olympics programs and athletic opportunities.”

Red Lobster operates more than 650 restaurants in the United States and Canada. The company has annual sales of $2 billion and employs more than 60,000 people. Red Lobster’s support of people with developmental disabilities includes a hiring initiative that provides thousands of employment opportunities at Red Lobster restaurants.

“At Red Lobster we take tremendous pride in our tradition as active, involved participants and citizens in the communities where we operate, and we’re equally proud of our long-standing association with Special Olympics,” said Red Lobster President Dick Rivera. “We are dedicated in our support of people with special needs, and Cops and Lobsters helps us bring this commitment to a local level.”

Special Olympics New York provides athletic training and competition for children and adults with mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics.

More than one million athletes in more than 150 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-style sports.

Founded by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the largest grassroots fund-raising and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. Each year officers carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to their local, state, or national Special Olympics games. In New York, the Torch Run will conclude June 13 at the Special Olympics New York Summer Games in Buffalo.

For more information, please call Jim Smith at 518-388-0790, x110 or Jeanne Mesick, 518-388-0790, x106, or visit www.specialolympicsnewyork.org

March 4, 2002

SCHENECTADY – Special Olympics programs in Oneida and Herkimer counties will operate from a single office in Oneida County following the merger of the two Special Olympics programs.

The office of Special Olympics New York – Oneida and Herkimer Counties will now oversee training, competition and fund-raising initiatives in both counties.

All inquiries concerning Special Olympics services in Herkimer County, including donations, volunteer information and general program information, should be directed to:

Special Olympics New York provides athletic training and competition for children and adults with mental retardation, and serves more than 500 athletes in Oneida and Herkimer counties through a network of several hundred devoted volunteers. The merger of the Oneida and Herkimer programs is designed to increase opportunities for athletes, and expand services in the region.

For more information, please call Jim Smith, 518-388-0790, x110, or Erin Griffiths, director of field services, 518-388-0791, x112.

February 13, 2002

SCHENECTADY – Special Olympics New York returns this weekend to the city of Syracuse for the 2002 Winter Games.

The annual statewide competition brings more than 850 athletes and coaches, as well as 400 volunteers, to the region for two days of Olympic-style competition and celebration.

The Games begin 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, at the Oncenter with the traditional Opening Ceremonies, which will feature entertainment, the Parade of Athletes and the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron.

Competition 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Athletes will compete in six sports, including Figure Skating and Speed Skating (War Memorial at Oncenter), Floor Hockey and Floor Hockey Skills (Oncenter), Alpine Skiing and Nordic Skiing (Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center).

All Special Olympics events are free and open to the public.

Special Olympics provides athletic training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with mental retardation. Through athletic endeavor and accomplishment, athletes learn the meaning of sportsmanship and team play, become more productive members of their communities and begin to understand that the rewards of hard work go well beyond the playing field.

To schedule interviews with athletes, coaches, volunteers and/or organizers, call Jim Smith at 518-466-4165, or reach him though the event command center at 315-478-8634.

Please Note: Due to lack of snow at Beaver Lake Nature Center, Nordic Skiing will take place at Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center.

February 5, 2002

Athletes from the Special Olympics New York - Madison County/Oneida BOCES ski program will compete in the annual Alpine Skiing Winter Games at Woods Valley Ski Center in Westernville, Oneida County, Feb. 10.

Athletes will compete in slalom, giant slalom, glide and super glide competitions. The Games will be held 9 to 11:30 a.m., with awards presentations beginning at noon.

The competition will be the final tune-up for local alpine skiers who will compete in the statewide Special Olympics New York Winter Games in Syracuse, Feb. 15 to 17. The Winter Games will draw nearly 850 athletes and coaches to Syracuse from across New York, including nearly 100 skiers who will compete at Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center.

“For those who have not witnessed a Special Olympics competition, I’d like to invite them to come out and cheer on our local athletes as they test their skills against the mountain,” said Jerry Bruno, who oversees Special Olympics training and competition in Madison County.

Special Olympics provides athletic training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with mental retardation. Through athletic endeavor and accomplishment, athletes learn the meaning of sportsmanship and team play, become more productive members of their communities and begin to understand that the rewards of hard work go well beyond the playing field.

For more information about the Woods Valley ski competition, or to volunteer locally, call Laurie Ross, 315-363-6870. For information about the statewide Winter Games in Syracuse and at Toggenburg Mountain, call Jim Smith at 800-836-6976, or visit www.specialolympicsnewyork.org.

January 28, 2002

News Conference Set For 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Pettibones Grille at Dunn Tire Park

WHAT: A news conference to announce that the 2002 Special Olympics New York Buffalo-Niagara region for the 2002 Special Olympics New York Summer Games. The Games will bring 2,500 athletes and coaches, as well as nearly 2,000 volunteers, to the community for three days of pageantry and competition.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002

WHERE: Pettibones Grille at Dunn Tire Park, Swan and Washington streets, Buffalo

WHO:

	Robert Jr. and Mindy Rich of Rich Products, honorary event co-chairs
	Erie County Sheriff Patrick and Mary Pat Gallivan, event co-chairs
	Olympic gold medalist wrestler Jeff Blatnick, honorary coach for Special Olympics New York
	Heavyweight boxer "Baby" Joe Mesi
	Junior Robinson and Tony Driver of The Buffalo Bills
	Richard Geiger, President/CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau
	Special Olympics New York athletes

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition to nearly 40,000 children and adults with mental retardation. For more information on Special Olympics New York, visit www.specialolympicsnewyork.org, or call 800-836-6976.

Syracuse, New York, January 4, 2002 - Syracuse area residents will be able to help the athletes of the Special Olympics New York Winter Games “bring home the gold” just by shopping at their local P&C supermarket, this month.

P&C is selling paper gold medals for a $1 donation through January 19th, 2002 at all Syracuse area P&C’s. All proceeds from the P&C Gold Medal Program go to the Special Olympics New York Winter Games, which will be held for the second straight year in Syracuse from February 15th to 17th.

“The P&C Gold Medal Program is a fun way to help raise money for Special Olympics and raise awareness of this very special cause,” said Victoria Bentley, Director of Consumer Affairs for Penn Traffic, which operates 73 P&C stores in upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, including 25 in the Syracuse area. “Special Olympics operates solely on contributions from individuals and corporations like ours. With our customers’ participation, we can help make the dreams of these very special athletes come true.”

“Special Olympics is honored to partner with P&C Food & Pharmacy to help

raise funds and awareness for our athletes," said Neal J. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics New York. "There is no doubt that P&C's efforts on behalf of our athletes and their families will have an enormous impact on the quality of the Winter Games.”

The Special Olympic New York Winter Games begin at 8 a.m., Friday, February 15th, with Opening Ceremonies at the Syracuse Oncenter. Competition begins February 16th with more than 850 athletes and coaches participating in six sports, including Figure and Speed Skating, Floor Hockey and Floor Hockey Skills, Alpine Skiing and Nordic Skiing.

Special Olympics New York provides year-round athletic training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for 40,000 children and adults with mental retardation. Winter Games is one of three statewide competitions and one of more than 400 competitions held throughout the state each year.

The Penn Traffic Company, the largest public company in Syracuse, operates 219 supermarkets in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire under the Big Bear, Big Bear Plus, Bi-Lo, P&C and Quality trade names. Penn Traffic, which has approximately 15,000 employees, also operates wholesale food distribution businesses serving 84 licensed franchises and 71 independent operators.

back to News Releases