June 2020

From: Scott Furnish <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

Subject: Special Olympics Indiana Virtual Summer Games - THIS FRIDAY

Don't let social distancing keep us apart this summer. Join the fun on Friday, June 12!   Special Olympics Indiana is proud to present the organization's first-ever Virtual Summer Games, inviting athletes across the state to participate in a special at-home Sports & Fitness Challenge taking place from June 13 - July 20.   And we have good news: YOU are invited to help us kick things off by taking part in the 2020 Flame of Hope Torch Run and Opening Ceremonies on Friday, June 12!   As our largest annual event, Summer Games represents the pinnacle of competition for the more than 18,000 people we serve each year, with delegations from every part of the state bringing athletes to compete in a variety of our most popular sports.   But the Summer Games experience transcends sports for all those involved. It is a weekend of camaraderie, inclusion, excitement, and—most of all—pure joy.   We can't be together in person right now. But together, #UnifiedByHope, we will overcome the distance between us and share in the joy of a virtual Summer Games experience this year. Learn More   Flame of Hope Torch Run | 9 a.m., 11 a.m., & 1 p.m. ET   Premiering on Facebook and streaming on our website on June 12 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m., the Flame of Hope Torch Run is a unique fundraising event bringing together law enforcement officers and agencies from across the state to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics athletes while practicing social distancing in their own communities.   Watch as the torch makes its way virtually across the state on its way to Summer Games while our friends with the LETR share what they love about Special Olympics and show off some highlights from our year-round programs and events. Support your favorite officer/agency or make a general contribution to benefit more than 18,000 Special Olympics Indiana athletes! Learn More Donate Now   Virtual Opening Ceremonies & Dance Party | 7 p.m. ET   Following the morning's excitement, watch live at 7 p.m. on Facebook or on our website as we host a Virtual Opening Ceremonies designed to inspire, entertain, and unite athletes and fans across the state while signaling the official start of our 2020 Summer Games Sports & Fitness Challenge.   Featuring many of the same elements enjoyed by thousands each year at the Hulman Center, this special online event will include the singing of the national anthem, lighting of the cauldron following the arrival of the Flame of Hope, videos and encouragement from our friends, supporters and athletes across the state, and remarks by Special Olympics Indiana Board Chair Mark Sherman and President & CEO Jeff Mohler.   The evening will wrap up as it always does: with an athlete dance party (beginning at 8 p.m.) where you can be a part of the fun! ***Virtual dance party cannot be live streamed due to copyright considerations. Instructions for participating will be provided to County Coordinators and athletes soon. Learn More   Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education, and leadership programs everyday around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. We are a sports organization that uses the power of sport as a catalyst for social change, working for more than 50 years to open hearts and minds toward people with intellectual disabilities and to create inclusive communities across the state. With the support of over 10,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 18,000 athletes and unified partners at no cost to the participants. SOINDIANA.ORG  ‌  ‌  ‌   View as Webpage

****Brother Knights,

Based on a recent report I got from Supreme, we have a lot of councils that have not sent in the 4584 (Partnership with Special Olympics) form. We need to get this form in from all councils by MARCH 9TH! 

Last month, Supreme announced some changes coming to the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities (CPID – “Tootsie Roll”) program. After more than two decades of supplying the aprons for the CPID, Developmental Services Center (DSC) has made the decision to cease production and supply. The Knights of Columbus are grateful to DSC for their countless years of service and support to the Order, the CPID program and the many charitable results the program produces. To help expand the program, the Supreme Council is introducing a newly designed money-collecting canister, new Tootsie Roll candy-wrapper design and a new vest!

This new vest (see below) will be available for purchase on Supplies Online beginning in March. The vests will be listed underneath the “Special Olympics” page (Faith in Action – Life Programs). A complete breakdown of costs is listed in the table below. Councils are encouraged to buy vests in bulk, which will result in significant cost savings. Councils may continue to use their current stock of yellow / red aprons but, will not be able to purchase more in the future.

The new vest features two large pockets on the front as well as a new slogan for the campaign – “Helping People with Special Needs”. This new slogan strives to promote all the tremendous work done with the CPID, while also being an option for other related programs such as “Special Olympics”, “Mass for People with Special Needs” or any program / initiative intended for Helping People with Special Needs! Please note, this new slogan does not replace the official name of the initiative- “Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities”. A Spanish-language version will also be available!

Updates to the Tootsie Roll wrappers and canisters will be available in the coming months. For questions regarding any CPID changes, please contact: Maciej J. Gadomski, Manager of Multicultural Programs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There is no change to the Tootsie Roll candy ordering process, please continue to submit orders as you have done in the past.

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt"

Michael Lewis, FDD

Special Olympics of Indiana Chairman

Indiana Knights Of Columbus

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