This year marks a very exciting milestone for Special Olympics Kentucky as the program celebrates 40 Years of Changing Lives in 2010. The program will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary throughout the year, beginning at the State Leadership Conference in Louisville on Martin Luther King Day and ending with the State Bowling Tournament in early December.
In 40 years, Special Olympics Kentucky has touched the lives of thousands of athletes and their families, along with the lives of volunteers, coaches and fans who have become involved with the program. Special Olympics Kentucky has grown from that one event a year to a year-round program that not only offers 15 sports options for athletes, but that also is involved in early childhood programs through the Young Athletes Program; health care screening and delivery through the Healthy Athletes Program and MedFest; and in leadership training through the Global Messengers and other Athlete Leadership Programs.
Through it all, Special Olympics has played an important role in the lives of athletes and their families throughout the state.
“ This year, Special Olympics Kentucky is celebrating forty years of changing the lives of Kentucky citizens,” Kerchner said. “Thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities have been given the opportunity to achieve in life, through hard work, dedication and the support from their family and friends. Our athletes have set the tone for excellence throughout these years, often exceeding the expectations that even the most optimistic among us have set. As we celebrate, let's be a fan of achievement, opportunity, family support and dedicated volunteers. As thousands of athletes have excelled, so have thousands of family members, friends and volunteers.”
We invite you to come celebrate this fantastic anniversary with us at any of the more than 150 Special Olympics competitions or special events that the program will hold this year. You can participate, volunteer or just come as a spectator. For a list of upcoming events near you, check soky.org regularly. You can also follow Special Olympics Kentucky on Facebook or Twitter.
Tell us Your Special Olympics Story
For more information about how you can get involved in the program contact the state office at 800-633-7403 or 502-695-8222 or e-mail soky@soky.org.
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- SOKY receives accreditation from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Louisville Metropolitan Park and Recreation Board and the Buechel Fern Creek Jaycees are named sponsors. Paul Thornhill is named first State Director. (volunteer)
- Kentucky begins its first program with Track & Field and Aquatics competition.
- 250 athletes attended the First Summer Games.
- Kentucky sends its first delegation to the International Games at Soldiers Field, Chicago.
- Dave Kerchner is hired as Full time Director of Special Olympics Kentucky. He continues to sever to this day.
- First area programs established to broaden scope of Special Olympics. Six Areas centered around Kentucky Universities.
- Decision made to rotate State Summer Games among state universities every two years.
- Began program of introducing SO to future teachers.
- The Department for Human Resources becomes official sponsor for Special Olympics Kentucky.
- State office is moved to Frankfort.
- Special Olympics Kentucky incorporates.
- First Softball Team Competition started.
- First State Basketball Tournament held at Waggener High School in Louisville.
- National Run, Dribble and Shoot competition held at Freedom Hall in Louisville in conjunction with the American Basketball Association Playoffs. 84 athletes from 41 states.
- February-Special Olympics Kentucky releases a special edition print by C. Don Ensor Entitled “A New Kind of Joy”.
- Special Olympics Kentucky moves out of State Government and establishes new offices under its first active Board of Directors.
- Kentucky ’s 10th Anniversary State Games are held at Morehead State University.
- First Roller Skating Competition held in Lexington.
- Torch Run Begins in Kentucky
- Kentucky Bankers Association Becomes Premier Sponsor for Summer Games.
- Press Conference to announce Million Dollar commitment from Calumet Farm.
- Louisville Office is established.
- Kentucky Education Reform Act enacted.
- Kentucky hosted National Equestrian Sports Invitational at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
- SOKY receives over 1 million dollars from Virginia Allen Estate.
- First World Winter Games held outside the United States ( Austria).
- Discussion begins on Capital Fund for New Building.
- First million dollar budget - $1,081,700
- Unified sports started in Kentucky
- First Global Messengers Training in Kentucky – 8 athletes trained as Global Messengers.
- First Plane Pull Held.
- Grand Opening for new Special Olympics Kentucky Training Center.
- Missy Adcock of Louisville Becomes First Athlete on Board of Directors – Missy Adcock.
- SOKY re-structures to emphasize local programs and Area competitions.
- First 2 million dollar budget.
- SOKY offers first MedFest in Lexington.
- Special Olympics International Celebrates 40th Anniversary
- August 11 - The founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, dies at her family home in Massachusetts. Letters and messages celebrating her contribution to humanity poured in from world leaders and ordinary people around the world. See www.eunicekennedyshriver.org
- Special Olympics Kentucky is a participant in Project Unify: a Special Olympics grant opportunity awarded from the US Department of Education to Special Olympics Programs on a national level.
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