SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 13, 2008

CONTACT:  Susan MacBryde, Special Olympics New York,  518-388-0790 ext. 109, smacbryde@nyso.org

Capital District Region Summer Games on May 30

Volunteers Needed

Event is free and open to the public

(SCHENECTADY, NY)  Special Olympics New York’s 2009 Capital District Region Summer Games will be held on Saturday, May 30 at two venues:  Volleyball and Basketball at Shenendehowa Schools, and Athletics (Track & Field) and Aquatics (Swimming) at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School. 

More than 700 athletes and 200 coaches will take part in the Capital District Region Summer Games, traveling to the Capital District from northern, central, southwestern New York and the Hudson Valley as well as the Capital District.

Volunteers are needed to fill key roles in support of the competitions:

§ Present awards, distribute lunches, set up and break down sports venues.

§ Staff the athletic venues at both high schools.

To register as a volunteer, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org , click on the events calendar, then click on the May 30 Capital District Regionals to get to the registration form. Or, email volunteer@nyso.org. 

All events are free and open to the public:

§ Volunteer registration is 8:00 – 9:00 AM.

§ Opening Ceremonies will be held 9:15 – 9:30 AM.

Speakers at Shenendehowa include:  Superintendent Dr. Oliver Robinson

§ Athletic competitions will take place 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM.

Corporate sponsors making this event possible include Statewide Sponsors Amtrak, Wal-Mart, TD Banknorth, Knights of Columbus, New York State United Teachers; and Capital District Sponsors Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Pitney Bowes Business Insight and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield; and food and beverage contributors Panara Bread and Garelick Farms.

Special Olympics New York, which does not charge athletes to participate, provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 22 Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through their participation in Special Olympics New York, athletes have an opportunity to gain confidence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom, the home, the workplace and the community.