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August 10, 2015 |
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LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT:
Chief Richard Lapoint
On August 16th, Chief Richard Lapoint will finish a 40 year career with the Pittsburg Police Department. Richard Lapoint joined the department in August of 1975 as a part time officer. Twelve years later, in 1987 he because full-time Chief. Chief Lapoint will retire on Sunday after 40 years with the department.
As Chief, Lapoint supervises a staff of four part-time officers who patrol Pittsburg, Clarksville and Stewartstown. Leading the northernmost and largest municipality in New Hampshire is a big responsibility - but Chief Lapoint didn't stop there.
In 1995, Lapoint became involved with Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which Lapoint says "has been one of the most satisfying things I have had the opportunity to participate in during my Law Enforcement career."
For the last 21 years, Lapoint has been responsible for the Torch Run leg covering 77 miles from the Canadian border to town of Lancaster. During that time he has raised more than $50,000 for Special Olympics New Hampshire.
In addition to his leg, Lapoint represented New Hampshire at the International Law Enforcement Conference in Milwaukee, ran the Flame of Hope into Opening Ceremonies at the Summer Games and handed out medals to athletes during competition.
Thank you Chief for all that you've done to support the athletes of SONH; we look forward to working with you as you begin this new chapter in life!
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REACH UP LA!
2015 Special Olympics World Games
 After nine days of courage, competition and personal best moments, the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games Closing Ceremony ended at Los Angeles Coliseum with dancing, joy and bittersweet goodbyes for more than 6,500 athletes from 165 countries.
The Games featured personal stories of heroism, excellence in sports and determination including: Special Olympics Norway athlete Thea Skoglund who posted her personal best in kayaking, while her family watched her win the gold; Special Olympics Bharat athlete Ranveer Singh Saini and his unified teammate Monica Jajoo, who won their country's first gold medal for Alternate Shot Golf; Special Olympics Kenya athlete Onesmus Mutinda posted an impressive winning time in the half marathon of 1 hour and 18 minutes; Special Olympics Nigeria athlete Chidalu Onwunzi whose life was transformed when her entire team was able to hear for the first time when doctors outfitted them with hearing aids; Special Olympics USA athlete Olivia Quigley left cancer and chemotherapy on the sidelines to win the gold in the 1000 meter race; Special Olympics Costa Rica athlete Mariluz Araya won not one, but four gold medals in powerlifting while Special Olympics Korea athlete Yongjin Gwak also won a gold medal in powerlifting and Special Olympics USA athlete and Special Olympics International employee Terrel Limerick took home the bronze in sailing. The World Games forged many friendships across borders, genders, religions and ethnicities, as evidenced by Special Olympics Israel athlete Alon Dolev and Special Olympics Iranian trainer Yaser Tahmasbi, who met on the flight to Los Angeles and are returning home as friends.
New Hampshire athletes Alberta Vayens and Hayden Meattey brought four medals home. Alberta took home a 4th place ribbon in the 100M Run, a bronze medal in the 4x100M relay and a silver medal in the long jump. Hayden Meattey took home a gold medal in the 800M Walk and a bronze medal in the 400M Walk. Congratulations Alberta and Hayden!
Click here to see photos of New Hampshire athletes and volunteers at the Games!
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HELP THE ENVIRONMENT & SONH
Did you know that through a partnership with Ecosmith Recyclers Inc. you can help raise funds for Special Olympics? Donate your unwanted clothing, bags, shoes and belts at any one of our collection bins listed below:
 CircleK/Irving locations
- 718 Main Street, Andover
- 19 West Street, Ashland
- 580 Franklin Pierce Highway, Barrington
- 994 Laconia Road, Belmont
- 249 Calef Highway, Epping
- 95 NH Route 175A, Holderness
- 535 Union Avenue, Laconia
- 81 N. Route 25, Meredith
- 290 Route 104, New Hampton
- 51 Street Route 27, Raymond
- 2 Stratham Heights Road, Stratham
- 90 Laconia Road, Tilton
- 32 Route 103, Warner
Additional locations
- Sweet Dreams, 100 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham
- Peterborough Plaza
Items are collected from Ecosmith containers, processed and then shipped to underdeveloped regions in Central and South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. SONH receives quarterly payments from the items collected at the bins listed above. Depending on volume, a bin can generate as much as $2,000 a year!
"When you utilize one of these collection containers, not only are you helping Special Olympics New Hampshire, but you're keeping waste out of the `stream' and helping clothe underprivileged people all over the world," said Pete Shellenberger, President/Owner of Ecosmith Recyclers.
If you are interested in having a collection bin at your business or if you know of a suitable location for a collection container in your town or surrounding community, we want to hear from you! Please contact Chelsea Gill.
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PROJECT UNIFY: PROFILE HIGH SCHOOL
On May 5th, 2015 Profile Regional Jr.Sr. High School hosted their 3rd annual Unified Sports Day. The day was launched three years ago after attending the Special Olympics Youth Summit at Waterville Valley. The idea was grasped by a student who was the first partner in the first Unified PE class at Profile. That student attended the conference with an athlete and the athlete's brother. Together, as part of the action plan from the conference, they decided to try to hold a Unified Sports Day.
Once back at Profile, the idea was pitched to an 8th Grade Project Venture class. Project Venture aims to develop the social and emotional competence that facilitates youths' resistance to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. The 8th graders took it and ran -
creating, hosting and facilitating the first Unified Sports Day at Profile. Each year since Project Venture has hosted incredibly successful Unified Sports Days.
This year's event had a total of 140 people attend from five area schools. The day long event offered a variety of activities for students, including: soccer, kickball, arts and crafts and water balloon toss. The goal of the day is to allow students participating in Project UNIFY to come together and have fun!
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REGISTER FOR THE FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT:
Take a Swing for TWO Great Causes
On Monday, August 24th, The Country Club of New Hampshire in North Sutton will host the Foundation Golf Tournament, a Law Enforcement Torch Run event supported by the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police to benefit Special Olympics New Hampshire and The New Hampshire Police, Fire and EMS Foundation.
Golfers are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to play on one of the nation's top 75 public golf courses (as named by Golf Digest) while supporting two wonderful causes!
Registration opens at 8:00 AM, and the tournament will kick-off with an 8:30 AM shotgun start. The format is 18-hole, four-person scramble. Registration is open to both individuals ($100) and teams ($400) of up to four players.
The entry fee includes greens fees, golf cart, a tournament apparel item, morning and early afternoon grill stations at Holes 1 and 9 and a post-tournament lunch.
Various prizes and contests will also be offered throughout the day!
To learn more about the event and to register, please visit our website.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
Louise Hackett
Peanut butter and jelly, hugs and kisses, Mickey and Minnie...some things just go together. Since 1981, you can add Louise Hackett and Special Olympics to the list!
That's right, for the last
THIRTY-FOUR years Louise Hackett has helped to make Special Olympics what it is today.
Louise
 was introduced to Special Olympics through her son Timmy. Louise worked with other parents of children with intellectual disabilities in the Merrimack area to start the Merrimack Friar's Local Program. In addition to serving as the Local Program Coordinator for the team, Louise was a volunteer coach for a number of sports, including athletics, alpine-skiing, basketball, cross-country skiing, volleyball, snow shoeing, golf, and her favorite sport aquatics. As the team evolved, Louise decided to take on additional volunteer responsibilities within Special Olympics.
 Today, you can find Louise, with husband Dave at her side, at Special Olympics events year round. She runs aquatics competition at our State Summer Games and Greater Manchester Area Swim Meet, coaches cross-country skiing with the Merrimack Friars at Winter Games, coordinates Information at the Penguin Plunge and runs the awards ceremony at the Winni Dip.
Louise works hard supporting Special Olympics to achieve her goal of advocating for our athletes and providing quality competition. When thinking back about her favorite Special Olympics memory, she recalls receiving her SONH 25 years of service award. "I
was given a winter jacket. I was absolutely floored, and I love the jacket!" Louise said. She also reflects fondly on her work running aquatics competition, "I always love the swimming events. The Friars had a huge team for a long time and I was the head coach, so I knew swimmers and coaches. I think having coached aquatics has been the reason why the coaches and I work together so well."
Thank you Louise...volunteers like you are the backbone of Special Olympics!
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY AT FENWAY PARK
Join
us as we celebrate Special Olympics Day at Fenway Park on Thursday, August 20 at 7:10pm. Bring your family, friends, and athletes for an evening of fun watching the Boston Red Sox take on the Kansas City Royals.
Click here to purchase your ticket now. The tickets are $29.00 for Right Field Grandstand and $27.00 for bleacher.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, August 15
Coaches Training
Manchester |
Saturday, August 15
ALPs Training |
Thursday, August 20
Boston, MA
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Sunday, August 23
Farmington, CT
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Monday, August 24
Foundation Golf Tournament
Sutton
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Saturday, September 12
To Serve & Protect Day
Statewide
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Saturday, September 26
Andover |
Sunday, September 27
Upper Valley Area Fall Games
Claremont & Hanover |
Saturday, October 17
State Soccer Tournament
Epping |
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.
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