"Do it well, finish it properly, and move on!"

Dear Friend:

"Do it well, finish it properly, and move on!"
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics Founder

DO IT WELL!

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities are at the center of our work and the heart of our Movement. We are proud to say that Special Olympics Michigan has lived up to Eunice Kennedy Shriver's "Do it well" mantra!

Special Olympics Michigan had an incredible 2011, most notably by increasing the number of athletes in our programs from 18,627 to 20,679!

We expanded our Healthy Athletes® Program by adding a bone density scanner and by offering the Fit Feet program at our State Summer Games. We also offered various Healthy Athletes® initiatives for the first time ever at our State Cycling Finals.

Our biggest growth has been in our Young Athletes^TM Program. The Young Athletes^TM Program is vitally important as it helps 2 to 7 year olds get a head start by developing motor, cognitive and social skills while preparing them for competition at age 8.

FINISH IT PROPERLY!

We are getting close to the end of the year and hope to meet our fundraising goals, so we can reach out to more children and adults with intellectual disabilities in communities like yours across Michigan.

We urgently need your help to provide the transformative power of sport so more athletes have opportunities to experience inclusion, acceptance, unity, respect, friendship and joy. They deserve a chance to overcome adversity, show courage, experience dignity and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Special Olympics Michigan gets no state funding and relies solely on private donations from friends like you.

Your help is critical!

Please make a $100, $75, $50 or $25 contribution before December 31st so we can FINISH IT PROPERLY and close the books on 2011.

AND MOVE ON!

Special Olympics Michigan is very excited to "Move on" into 2012. We are looking to grow our program to reach more children and adults with intellectual disabilities so they don't have to DREAM about being included . . . they will be GUARANTEED to be included as we transform lives through the joy of sport.

We are looking to build upon our success in 2011 in the months ahead in 2012. We are encouraged by the continued growth of Project UNIFY so that more students in schools across the state will stand side-by-side with children with intellectual disabilities. Together, they will learn, lead, and build a future generation that will accept, include and value people with intellectual disabilities.

Further, we will be adding an exciting sport in 2012 . . . Flag Football! Athletes from across the state are excited to participate in what is sure to be a rapidly growing team sport for Special Olympics Michigan.

But only with your continued support will we be able to "Move on" and continue our mission into 2012 and beyond! Everyone deserves a chance at a happy and purposeful life.

Thank you in advance for all of your continued support and generosity!

Warm regards,