SPECIAL OLYMPICS

December 9, 2009

Mike Durbin
126 Powell Road
Newport, NC 28570-3705

Dear Mike:

Welcome to the Board of Directors of Special Olympics North Carolina! During our meeting on December 8, you were elected to a three-year term on our board of directors that begins January 1, 2010. On behalf of the Special Olympics movement in North Carolina, let me express our appreciation to you for taking on this very important role within the organization.

We look forward in 2010 to continuing to have a positive impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities. The accountability you have accepted as a Board member of Special Olympics North Carolina sends a powerful message to our athletes, their families, and our coaches and volunteers.

In 2010, the Board plans to meet as follows: Saturday, May 1; Tuesday, August 17; and Tuesday, December 7. All three meetings will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the SONC headquarters in Morrisville. In addition to these meetings, committees meet independently as deemed necessary by the chairs of those committees.

Again, welcome to the Board. We look forward to having your expertise benefit our Program.

With warmest regards,
Keith L. Fishburne
President
Special Olympics North Carolina

Knights of Columbus Maintain Strong 2009

Support of Special Olympics in Spite of Economic Climate

Whether it’s standing outside a store collecting donations, recycling cell phones or serving lunch
and presenting awards at a Special Olympics competition, the Knights of Columbus councils throughout the state are among the leaders who unselfishly provide time, energy and devotion to Special Olympics.
In 2009, the Knights of Columbus in North Carolina donated $100,000 to Special Olympics at the local and state levels. “Since no athlete is ever charged a fee to be involved in Special Olympics, these funds are vital to the success of the hundreds of annual local and state level competitions,” said Keith L. Fishburne, president/CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina.

“They are guardian angels,” said John Gatens, Special Olympics Haywood County local coordinator. They help people, regardless of religious affiliation and whatever our athletes need they are right there with monetary support or volunteer service. It’s just amazing!”

The Lamb Drive in Haywood County for the Knights is a big fundraiser. Many of the 62 members volunteer to collect donations outside of Wal-Mart stores several times a year.

“Lots of people ask about Special Olympics when we’re collecting,” said Tony Minnitti, Grand
Knight Council 12478. “I tell them to come to any Special Olympics event and see these athletes compete. We have nothing to complain about. It’s so impressive what they can accomplish.”

The donation from the brothers of Council 12478 to Special Olympics Haywood County this year was more than $4,500 which is a 133% increase from a year ago. The donation is especially impressive due to the difficult economic conditions across the state.

In Brunswick County, two Knights of Columbus councils (Our Lady of the Rosary 9039 of Shallotte and Sacred Heart Council 12537 of Southport) combine to provide much needed funds to the Special Olympics local program. Council 9039 has had lots of success recycling cell phones through the Special Olympics/RMS program.

The Knights partnered with ATMC, the County’s broadband, wireless, telephone, cable and internet communications service provider, to collect phones in four AT&T wireless stores. The Knights have collected more than 1100 phones this year. The funds have added up and the two Councils have donated more than $7,000 to the local program.

“I get questions from the staff and customers at the stores and once they find out we’re recycling the phones for Special Olympics athletes, they think it is wonderful,” said Joe Garbarino, cell phone drive coordinator for Council 9039.

“Our Knights are outstanding,” said Steve Goodwin, Special Olympics Brunswick County local
coordinator. “The two Councils really work hard to support the athletes and we are so appreciative.” In Cumberland County, the Special Olympics local program has been thrilled with the level of support they have received from KofC Council 2838 this year. The Knights increased their financial donation threefold from a year ago, with a grand total of $5,500 in 2009! They volunteered at local competitions and served lunches to more than 250 athletes and coaches at the state-level 2009 SONC Bocce Tournament held in Fayetteville in October.

“They were amazed with our athlete growth over the past three years,” said Jamie Scruggins, SO Cumberland County local coordinator, who met with Grand Knight Mark Falcon in the spring. “They were impressed with all the opportunities we are providing the athletes in the county and really vowed to get more involved and wow, they certainly have. We are so thankful!”

Many thanks to the NC Knights of Columbus for continuing to push forward through these challenging economic times in support Special Olympics athletes. For many Special Olympics athletes, their involvement in Special Olympics is “a way of life” so the Knights support is a “life-line”.

Megan O'Donnell - Vice President of Communications - Special Olympics North Carolina

Points of contact:

Special Olympic Website : http://www.sonc.net/

NC State Knights of Columbus Chairman