Dear family and friends,

Special Olympics athletes say during a competition, “If you can win in the competition, I can, too.”  Special Olympics athletes say to the world, “If you can do it, I can, too!” This statement reveals our aspirations for equality, participation, integration and enjoyment. People connected to Special Olympics say, “If you can dedicate your love to people with intellectual disabilities, I can, too!”

The theme of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games is, “I know I can,” which expresses the spirit of Special Olympics athletes striving unceasingly for self-improvement. It reflects the essence of Special Olympics: “Equality and Tolerance.” It also embodies the concept and mission of Special Olympics, which are “participate, share joy, exchange skills and promote friendships.”

This October, we are traveling to Shanghai, People's Republic of to participate as part of Team USA in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games!  We will be part of the 7,500 athletes from across the joining an estimated 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, spectators and journalists from every continent to showcase our talents while helping to increase public awareness and understanding. We will be competing in a first-class sporting event that celebrates the achievements of Special Olympic athletes in an Olympic environment. 

As we prepare for our trip, we are reaching out to you and to those in our local communities inviting you to show your support!  If you are a fan of sports; unity; tolerance; empowerment; acceptance; strength; dignity; courage and grace, you are already a fan of Special Olympics!  For those of you who are able, we are hoping that you will consider showing your support by making a financial contribution to Special Olympics Colorado.  They money we raise will be used to help pay for our trip.  In helping to raise financial support specifically for these World Games, we will be helping SOCO cover the overall costs; therefore, keeping additional funding in state to go towards the 100+ competitions that serve over 8,500 athletes throughout this coming year.  

Through this “Be A Fan” fundraising drive, our goal is to raise $48,000 (the approximate cost to send each of us to is $6,000.)  Please remember, every dollar counts and no donation is too small.  Through this webpage, you can make a secured donation using your credit card.  If you would rather send a check, please make it out to Special Olympics Colorado – World Summer Games Fund / 410 17^th Street #200 / Denver, CO 80202 . Your support both financial and emotionally is very much appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration and helping inspire greatness in all of us!  

About the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games

The event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the . Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 21 different Special Olympics and Olympic-type sports.   The eight SOCO athletes attending are:

Bowling: Lorraine Grimm (Longmont), Bryan Terry (Aurora)
Aquatics: Rayme Allen (Denver), Sondra Pozner (Denver)
Athletics: Florence Westervelt (Denver), Kenneth Jones ( Ft. Collins )
Bocce: Bill Malone Jr. (Centennial), Beth Pasterkamp ( Englewood )

For more information about the World Games,  visit: http://www.2007specialolympics.com/index.php?id=29&lang=en

For more information specifically about Team , visit: http://www.specialolympicsteamusa.org/