Special Olympics New Mexico SO Brief: August 2024 | |
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Four Corners Invitational
We are only 3 weeks away from the 2024 Four Corners Invitational, held in Farmington August 23-24. This statewide competition is a showcase of our summer sports season, with athletes competing in aquatics, Unified golf, Unified softball, and skills events. Best of luck to all Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners! We look forward to seeing you in Farmington soon!
100 Friends for 100 Miles
Our friend and ultramarathon runner Adam is gearing up to run the Leadville Trail 100 Run in Colorado on August 17. Adam is running on behalf of Special Olympics and we can't wait cheer him on in Leadville in a couple of weeks. Keep reading below to learn more and to become on of our 100 Friends.
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Thoughts from Randy: Showing Up Matters
When I was at Area 5 Aquatics recently, I was walking around the pool watching our athletes when I heard a young voice say "Mom! Mom! Watch me! Watch me!" In a quick second I was picturing myself at 7 years old, in a swimming hole near our home, yelling those same words as I dunked my head under water and popped up out of the water, tremendously proud of my accomplishment.
I found out the athlete’s name is Sam, and his mom shared it’s Sam's first year competing in Special Olympics, and swimming is his first sport. He was competing in the skills competition, and I could tell that it meant the world to him that his mom showed up to watch him swim. As I continued to watch the competition, this thought entered my mind: In Special Olympics we are reminded that fear can be overcome, achievement lives in all of us, and it is wonderful to share moments that matter with the people we are closest to. Thank you to all of our families and spectators for showing up to watch our athletes compete. Showing up matters. Cheer on the ones you love.
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Upcoming 2024 Competitions & Events | |
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Four Corners Invitational
August 23-24, Farmington
State Bowling Tournament
October 25-27, Santa Ana
Holiday Classic
November 14-16, Las Cruces
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100 Friends for 100 Miles
Our friend and ultramarathon runner Adam is running the Leadville Trail 100 Run in support of Special Olympics New Mexico on August 17! We are ONLY 2 WEEKS away from Adam's race! Adam has been training alongside Special Olympics athletes Tim and Van (pictured with Adam) and we plan to grow our run club over the next year.
We can't wait to cheer on Adam in a couple of weeks in Leadville as he runs 100 miles through Colorado alpine wilderness, accumulating 18,000 feet of elevation gain throughout the race. The race begins at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 17 with a 30 hour race cut off at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 18. Help us reach our goal of 100 Friends for 100 Miles: Learn more and become a friend by checking out the 100 Friends for 100 Miles website!
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Distinguished Service Awards 2024
Congratulations to the 2024 Distinguished Service Award Winners. We present these awards to honor the incredible work so many people within SONM are doing throughout our state. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, French Funerals & Cremations, for making this luncheon possible!
Outstanding Athlete Leader
Shiv Patel
Outstanding Local Coordinator
Joyce Muñoz
Outstanding Local Program
Santa Fe
Outstanding Family
The Montoya Family
Outstanding Unified Champion Schools Coach
Gina Torres
Outstanding Volunteer
Brandon Wright
Outstanding Service Organization
Bernalillo County Fire Rescue
Outstanding Small Business
Latitudes
Outstanding Large Business
Chick-fil-A
Outstanding Board Member
Ryan Garcia
Pursuit of Excellence
Senator Michael Padilla
EKS Legacy
Sam Holmes
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Fundraiser Shoutout
We are proud to share that the Apartment Association of New Mexico (AANM) chose Special Olympics New Mexico as the recipient of their 2024 AANM Golf Classic proceeds. On Thursday, August 1, AANM presented us with a check for $15,000! Thank you to the Apartment Association of New Mexico and to all of the participants from the 2024 AANM Golf Classic for supporting Special Olympics New Mexico athletes and programs. We appreciate you!
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Four Corners Invitational | |
We are 3 weeks away from the 2024 Four Corners Invitational, held August 23-24 in Farmington. Approximately 800 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from across the state will meet in Farmington to compete in aquatics, Unified softball, Unified golf, and skills events. The Four Corners Invitational season is 12 weeks long and Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners are currently training in their summer sports and competing in qualifying competitions leading up to the statewide competition in August. Check out this year's Four Corners Invitational t-shirt artwork pictured below. | |
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Explore Northwest New Mexico during Four Corners Invitational Weekend
Check out the New Mexico True guide to the Northwest Region of New Mexico to help prepare for your Four Corners Invitational weekend!
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Souvenirs at Four Corners Invitational
Come see us at the souvenir table at the Four Corners Invitational! We’ll have t-shirts, water bottles, ball caps, beach towels and much more. On Friday, August 23 we will be at Riverview Golf Course and on Saturday, August 24, we will see you at the softball fields. Check our Facebook and Instagram pages @SpecialOlympicsNM in the next few weeks to get a sneak peek of our new merchandise. See you in Farmington!
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Health & Explore Wellness | |
We had a great Explore Wellness Fitness Challenge kick off party last night thanks to support from Advocacy Partners LLC and MiLeo Fitness & Nutrition! Be sure to check out the Fitness Challenge flyer above for info. Questions about joining the fitness challenge? Email Ben at ben@sonm.org | |
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Stay active in the Albuquerque community with the many free or low cost activities and events at your local Albuquerque Community Centers, such as Zumba, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Pickleball and more! Get a free membership today!
If you need assistance signing up, view instructions or email ben@sonm.org for more information.
For more events and resources check out UNM CDD Finder website and their Events Calendar!
For more information about Explore Wellness and any of our activities and events, please contact ben@sonm.org
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Explore Wellness Survey
The Special Olympics Explore Wellness program seeks to serve the community through health and wellness activities, resources and opportunities.
To better understand the needs of our community, please complete a short survey about your personal experience with health and wellness.
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Create a Legacy of Giving
August is National Make-a-Will Month and Special Olympics has FREE resources to help you leave a legacy of inclusion. Learn more today >>
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New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run (NMLETR) | |
Connect with Special Olympics New Mexico | |
Click below to view the 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; Treasurer, Dacia Card; Secretary, Valeria Olave
Board Members:
Mark Arambula, Mark Ballard, Lannea Carter, Ryan Garcia, Susan Hansen, Chris Hudson, Sara Limon, Art Montoya, Karen Pace, Tom Padilla, Greg Templeton, and honorary board members Jack Eichorn and Mark Wiggins
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