Dear family and friends,

This July, I am traveling to Ames, Iowa as part of Special Olympics Team Colorado !  There are 42 Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) athletes comp eting in the inaugural Special Olympics USA National Games!  We will join over 3,500 athletes, 2,000 coaches and delegates, 12,000 family members and friends, 8,000 volunteers, and 30,000 spectators from July 2 – 7, 2006 to showcase our talents while helping to increase public awareness and understanding. We will be comp eting in a first-class sporting event that celebrates the achievements of Special Olympic athletes in an Olympic Environment. 

I have decided to help raise funds for my trip.  In doing so, I will be helping SOCO cover the overall cost of National Games; therefore, keeping additional funding in state to go towards the 80+ comp etitions that serve over 8,000 athletes throughout this coming year.  Through this “Adopt-An-Athlete” fund raising drive, my goal is to raise $1,000 - the cost to send each Team Colorado athlete to Ames !  Please remember, every dollar counts and no donation is too small.  Your support both financial and / or emotionally is very much appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration and helping inspire greatness in me and my fellow athletes!  

I have been participating in Special Olympics for almost 20 years.  I will be comp eting in athletics at National Games and in the past I have also trained and comp eted in bowling and basketball.  Being a Special Olympics athlete has changed my life by making me a better person.  I am really excited about attending National Games.  I am proud to be able to represent the Walsenburg Falcons and the state of Colorado !  Outside of Special Olympics, I work at the A&W in Walsenburg.