Chick-fil-A Cookies for Champions Campaign
Stop by any Chick-fil-A location in New Mexico during the month of February and purchase a single cookie (or a 6-pack of cookies) to support Special Olympics New Mexico. We have partnered with all locations in NM and each location features a different Special Olympics athlete. Event flyer included below.
State Poly Hockey Championships
The State Poly Hockey Championships will be held in Albuquerque on Saturday, February 26. Best of luck to each Special Olympics athlete competing!
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We wish each of you a happy and healthy February! |
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Thoughts from Randy: The Mouth Speaks
While talking with the Chairman of our Board of Directors the other day, he shared that he believed not saying too much or too little was a gift. I think most of us wish we had that gift. We so naturally use our words simply to share what’s on our mind rather than give thought to their power before they leave our mouth. Scripture says “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Last week at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run State Conference in Las Cruces, I was struck with the power of two women’s words.
The first was a response from our Special Olympics athlete Shelby Peterson of Gallup, who serves on the Executive Committee of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run. During the Executive Committee meeting when asked what Special Olympics meant to her, Shelby’s reply was “When I started in Special Olympics I was shy at first, but then I got to know a lot of people. Special Olympics helped me break out of my shell.”
The second was a response from Law Enforcement Torch Run West Regional Coordinator Judith Goins, also of Gallup, who was selected to receive this year’s “Flame of Hope” award, which is the highest Torch Run award presented in our state. As she was being honored at the Closing Ceremonies banquet, through her tears, Judith shared “Special Olympics has opened a door in my life that I never even knew was there.” Continue reading here
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Upcoming Competitions & Events |
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USA Games Fitness Challenge
January 10-May 29
State Poly Hockey Championships
February 26
2022 Special Olympics USA Games
June 5-12
*Special Olympics New Mexico 2022 competition schedule is subject to change
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Chick-fil-A Cookies for Champions
Stop by any Chick-fil-A location in New Mexico during the month of February and purchase a single cookie (or a 6-pack of cookies) to support Special Olympics New Mexico. We have partnered with all locations in NM and each location features a different Special Olympics athlete. Stop by different locations to see which athlete is featured!
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2022 Special Olympics USA Games Fitness Challenge
Special Olympics athletes across New Mexico and across the U.S. are participating in this friendly competition to get fit as they walk, run, or roll their way through a step challenge leading up to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Stay motivated by connecting with other Special Olympics athletes via our Health and Wellness Facebook Group.
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State Poly Hockey Championships
The State Poly Hockey Championships will be held in Albuquerque on Saturday, February 26.
Best of luck to each Special Olympics athlete competing!
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Additional News & Updates |
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PGC Survey
Your opinion means a great deal to us. Will you take a few minutes to share your thoughts by completing our online survey? Your responses will help us understand what is important to you, so together we can provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and create lasting friendships.
You can complete the survey online at the link included below. Thank you!
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2022 Capitol Hill Day
On February 9 and 10, delegates from Special Olympics New Mexico (SONM) met with Members of Congress and their staff virtually to discuss the important work Special Olympics provides in Inclusive Health and Unified Champion Schools.
Each year, delegations of Special Olympics athletes, program staff, coaches, and family members from across the United States participate in Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day to educate on and advocate for Special Olympics programs and funding. This year, SONM athlete Lannea Babcock joined SONM staff members Brittany Scanlon and Rebecca Rainsberger for Capitol Hill Day.
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New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run (NMLETR)
Updates & Events
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2022 LETR Guardians of the Flame State Conference
On February 3-4, Law Enforcement Torch Run officers from around New Mexico descended upon the city of Las Cruces for the 2022 LETR Guardians of the Flame State Conference—where agency coordinators from over 20 agencies joined Special Olympics athletes, area directors, and local dignitaries to celebrate a rebound year that saw an increase of over $70,000 in funds raised.
Over two days, attendees were treated to a variety of inspirational, informational, and educational presentations and training sessions that focused on community policing excellence through the LETR program. On the first night, the conference hotel, Ramada’s Club 30, hosted a hospitality night where dinner and karaoke provided tons of fun entertainment.
The next day’s Opening Ceremonies featured introductions from LETR State Director Ben Sanchez of Rio Rancho Police Department, as well as a welcome from Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. During the business meeting attendees were given 2022 fundraising materials and resources for active law enforcement agencies while conference officials announced a grand total of $210,417 raised in 2021.
Concurrent training sessions brought agency coordinators together with Special Olympics athletes and parents to learn more about the history of LETR for Special Olympics, planning fundraising events, recruiting volunteers, and bridging the relevancy gap between LETR agencies and their community members.
The evening was capped with a dinner and awards ceremony for milestone-reaching agencies that raised $1,000 - $20,000. Agency Coordinators were honored for their year-round leadership in getting fundraising activities going in their communities with an agency plaque along with various gifts. LETR Regional Coordinator Judith Goins of McKinley County was named the 2022 Flame of Hope Award recipient. Goins joins only 19 other recipients of this award that is given to LETR participants who show longstanding dedication, and go above and beyond for Special Olympics.
After the conference, conference host agency, Las Cruces Police Department, challenged attendees to a corn-hole tournament where 14 teams of officers, volunteers, and athletes competed side by side under the spirit and oath of Special Olympics.
The 2023 Guardians of the Flame State Conference will be held in Albuquerque.
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Pictured left to right, back row, then front row: Sgt. Michael Roach, Assistant State Director, Steven Chavez, LETR Regional Coordinator, Ben Sanchez, LETR State Director, Cory Wieland, LETR Agency Coordinator, Connie Hoffman, SONM Rio Rancho Rockets athlete and Troy Flores, SONM Las Cruces Incredibles athlete. Connie and Troy designed this year's NMLETR t-shirt! |
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Connect with Special Olympics New Mexico |
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We are #NewMexicoTrue!
Click below to view the most recent digital True Adventure Guide.
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Special Olympics New Mexico Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
Chairman, Dub Girand; 1st Vice Chairman, Warren Ellis; 2nd Vice Chairman, Ryan Danoff; Secretary, Kari Graeber; Treasurer, Dacia Card
Board Members:
Nikki Hooser, Art Montoya, Consuelo Bolagh-Cowder, Ryan Garcia, Blake Brown, Mark Wiggins, Lannea Babcock, Valeria Olave, JoLou Trujillo Ottino, Mark Arambula, and honorary board member Tom Padilla
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Please add sonm@sonm.org to your email contacts list to ensure proper delivery of the e-newsletter. |
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