August 25,2015 

 
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MY THOUGHTS ON THE WORLD GAMES  
Written by: Pam Langille

Pam Langille is an athlete from New Hampshire and currently competes in Basketball, Cross Country Skiing and Athletics.  Pam also has history of training and competing in Unified Golf and Unified Triathlon both with Special Olympics. She started with Special Olympics when she was eight after hearing ab out it through her elementary school teacher. She chose Basketball because she played JV Basketball in high school and bec ause her family is very sports orientated. Special Olympics has done many things for her including teaching her to overcome her shyness. Pam competed in the first ever Unified Triathlon during the 2014 USA Games.

Pam's hobbies include bike riding, walking Gabe, her golden retriever, and helping out at Sunday school. She works at Special Olympics New Hampshire as an office assistant. She is the youngest of 12 children and has a twin sister, Patty, who competes in Special Olympics as well.

Pam Langille was selected as one of 12 Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers (IGM), who are athletes with intellectual disabilities that represent Special Olympics and their countries as spokes people and advocates.  As a Sargent Shirver International Global Messenger, Pam attended the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, CA and spoke on behalf of Special Olympics. 

Below, in her own words , are Pam's favorite memories from her trip:

I had a blast at the World Games and just enjoyed all the awesome experiences! I even enjoyed it when it was hard - I learned how to be flexible and patient.  If I have to choose things the stood out to me they are:
  • Being at the Opening Ceremony and standing in the back of Tim and Maria Shriver and the First Lady Michelle Obama. It  was so sweet to see all the athletes getting ready for their Games and just being so pumped up!
  • Doing the Young Athletes Program Demonstration and seeing the kids going around to the different stations was fun.  I met Christian. He is four years old and it did not matter where he started - he had so much fun and I just encouraged him to try new things. I had a blast watching all the young kids doing different activities and trying out new sports.
  • The last one was the Closing Ceremony because I liked seeing other countries getting along and just celebrating in all of their victories.
  • I also like seeing all the different famous people!  I loved playing golf with George Lopez.  That was so awesome! He gave me some great golf advice. The head of my driver flew off while hitting my golf ball - it was funny! 

My favorite thing was just seeing all my friends from the IGM training.  We have all become great friends.

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POLICE OFFICERS WILL DON A DIFFERENT UNIFORM TO SUPPORT SONH AT PARTICIPATING APPLEBEE'S LOCATIONS! 

Special Olympics New Hampshire is very excited to announce our 2015 partnership with Applebee's Restaurants for the annual Applebee's icon sales and Tip A Cop events!  Icons will be sold to patrons at 14 Applebee's locations across the state from now until September 15!  For a list of locations click here.

Please join us for a night out on the town while supporting SONH during one or more of the currently scheduled Tip A Cop events where Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers will act as "Celebrity Servers" by greeting guests, serving food and drinks and working for "tips" while spreading awareness about SONH and Law Enforcement for Special Olympics - all to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics New Hampshire! 

Corey Parrott, general manager of the Nashua Applebee's said this year his restaurant is attempting to double last year's fundraising!  "We hope that the community will come out to support our efforts and make this the most successful year yet as our store attempts to raise $4,000 to support the athletes of Special Olympics New Hampshire. We look forward to working with the local law enforcement to make this an exciting and beneficial event," Parrott said.

Members of law enforcement said they appreciate the opportunity to share their passion for supporting Special Olympics with their communities. "The Nashua Police Department is a long-standing supporter of Special Olympics New Hampshire and believes strongly in the mission of Special Olympics. Officers with the Nashua Police Department have volunteered in a variety of ways for many years including carrying the 'Flame of Hope' through Nashua as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, participating in the Penguin Plunge and Winni Dip, and presenting medals at the State Winter and Summer Games," said Nas hua Police Captain David Bailey. "We are looking forward to the Tip A Cop night at Applebee's restaurant in Nashua in order to help remind the public of the mission of Special Olympics as well  as working to help raise money for this important organization. We hope you will join us at Applebee's on August 28th and September 10th between 5 and 8 pm to have fun with Special Olympics and Nashua Police while you enjoy what is sure to be a delicious meal at Applebee's!"

A big thank you to Applebee's for their continued support and involvement with SONH!
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GLOBAL MESSENGER TRAINING 

On Saturday, August 15th, Special Olympics New Hampshire held a Athlete Leadership Program Global Messenger Training at the SONH office in Manchester.  The goal of the training was to enhance athletes' speeches using technology.

Athletes and their mentors discussed their recent speaking engagements and learned how to create PowerPoint presentations to accompany their speeches. Each Global Messenger designed six slides which included photos and Special Olympics facts. The Global Messengers presented their slide shows to the group.


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GET READY TO BREAK A SWEAT FOR A GREAT CAUSE:
Register today for the 2nd Annual Rail Trail Rally 
 
Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Rail Trail Rally to benefit Special Olympics New Hampshire that will take place amidst the beauty of the Northern Rail Trail on Saturday, September 26th with a post-race celebration at Proctor Academy in Andover, NH.

Enjoy a day of trail running, cycling and fall festivities along the hard packed path of the rail trail through Boscawen, Franklin, Andover, Wilmot and Danbury! The Northern Rail Trail has rich historical and architectural significance and offers a safe and scenic location for participants of all ages. Events offered include:  
  • 15 mile Ride beginning at 9:30 AM
  • 20 mile Ride beginning at 9:30 AM
  • 5K Run beginning at 10:00AM
  • 10K Run beginning at 10:00AM
  • Family Walk
  • Family Ride beginning at Highland Lake Inn in Andover
This event has something for everyone - from seasoned runners and cyclists to families looking for an afternoon of music, food and entertainment. Please join us by participating as well as spreading the word about the Rail Trail Rally which will directly benefit the 3,184 athletes served by Special Olympics New Hampshire.

If you have any questions regarding the Rail Trail Rally, please contact Courtney Brooks at (603) 624-1250 x33 or at   CourtneyB@sonh.org .

The Rail Trail Rally is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Proctor Academy, Highland Lake Inn, Associated Grocers and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England.

We hope to see you there for a fun-filled day to benefit Special Olympics New Hampshire!
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UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Now to September 15
Applebee's Promotion
Statewide
Thursday, August 27
Tip-A-Cop
Applebee's (Nashua)
Wednesday, September 2
Tip-A-Cop
Applebee's (Tilton)
Thursday, September 3
Tip-A-Cop
Applebee's (Derry)
Thursday, September 10
Tip-A-Cop
Applebee's (Concord & Nashua)
Saturday, September 12
To Serve & Protect Day
Statewide
Saturday, September 26
Andover
Sunday, September 27
Upper Valley Area Fall Games
Claremont & Hanover
Saturday, October 17
State Soccer Tournament
Epping
Saturday, October 31
Change Day
Statewide
Saturday, November 7
Statewide
Saturday, November 14
Manchester
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MISSION PARTNERS

 

Special Olympics New Hampshire is grateful for the annual support of our Mission Partners who help bring our programs to life.