Who We Are
Special Olympics-Westmoreland County is a non-profit organization providing sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Operating year-round, we are a community based all-volunteer organization providing athletes from age 8 and up with a life time of learning through involvement in sports. At our events, there are only winners. Our athletes achieve through three basic principles:
Courage Determination Sportsmanship
Courage Determination Sportsmanship
Our Mission
"To provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participatein the sharing of joy, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community."
What We Do
Special Olympics -Westmoreland County provides athletic opportunities to persons with mental retardation who might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in competitive sports. But sports are not the whole story. By providing these opportunities, we also allow our athletes to grow physically and mentally. Through competition, self-esteem and confidence levels increase, as well as giving athletes the chance to develop social skills. The athletes develop a sense of "I can do this" attitude that carries onto the competitive playing field of life.
The Benefits
Special Olympics believes that competition among those of equal abilities is the best way to test the athletes skills, measure their progress, and inspire them to grow. Special Olympics believes that its' program of sports training and competition help people with intellectual disabilities become physically fit and grow mentally, socially and emotionally. Special Olympics also believes that consistent training is required to develop sports skills, thus the reason we are a year-round sports program.
- improved physical fitness and motor skills
- greater self-confidence
- a more positive self-image
- friendships
- inreased family support
Special Olympians carry the benefits with them:
- in their daily lives at home
- in the classroom
- on the job
- in the community
- in personal relationships
Special Olympics believes that competition among those of equal abilities is the best way to test the athletes skills, measure their progress, and inspire them to grow. Special Olympics believes that its' program of sports training and competition help people with intellectual disabilities become physically fit and grow mentally, socially and emotionally. Special Olympics also believes that consistent training is required to develop sports skills, thus the reason we are a year-round sports program.
MANAGEMENT
- Randy Guinther - Assistant Area Manager
(724) 832-0188 / rguinther@wiu.k12.pa.us - Kelly Miller - Area Manager
(724) 832-0188 / kmiller@wiu.k12.pa.us - Brenda Sholtis - Treasurer
724-832-0188 / info@westspol.org - James Shoup - Competition Director
724-832-0188 / info@westspol.org
What does it take?
Athletes in Special Olympics strive for the opportunity to train and compete in sports, increasing their physical well-being, their self-esteem as well as being a part of the community while enhancing the lives of others. Click the button to download the "Athlete Eligibility" form.
Volunteers teach the athletes the skills needed to help them achieve their dream of competing in sports as they themselves gain a sense of accomplishment while forging life-long friendships. Click the button to download the "Volunteer Registration" form.
Donors provide the financial assistance that enables the the sports training programs and competitions to be offered, helping the others to achieve their goals, while gaining a larger community presence. Click the button to download the "Donor" form.
HISTORY
Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968 with the first International Games. One thousand athletes from 26 states and Canada competed in track and field, swimming, and floor hockey. The growth of Special Olympics has been overwhelming -- more than one million athletes are now training and competing from more than 150 countries and 54 U.S. chapters. These athletes are aided by 500,000 volunteers and 250,000 coaches.
Special Olympics-Westmoreland County first sent athletes to competition in May of 1969, attending a track and field meet held at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh. Thirty-five years later, nearly 600 athletes compete in sports training and competitions on the county, regional and state levels. Through cooperation with the private and business communities, our growth has been steady. Not only in the number of athletes participating and sports offered but also in the number of volunteers who participate as well as the number of business organizations who contribute to ensure that our future will be a bright one.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania became an official chapter of Special Olympics in 1970 after hosting a track and field event for 135 participants. In Pennsylvania, 53 local programs provide competition for over 25,000 athletes in more than 20 sports.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968 with the first International Games. One thousand athletes from 26 states and Canada competed in track and field, swimming, and floor hockey. The growth of Special Olympics has been overwhelming -- more than one million athletes are now training and competing from more than 150 countries and 54 U.S. chapters. These athletes are aided by 500,000 volunteers and 250,000 coaches.
Special Olympics-Westmoreland County first sent athletes to competition in May of 1969, attending a track and field meet held at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh. Thirty-five years later, nearly 600 athletes compete in sports training and competitions on the county, regional and state levels. Through cooperation with the private and business communities, our growth has been steady. Not only in the number of athletes participating and sports offered but also in the number of volunteers who participate as well as the number of business organizations who contribute to ensure that our future will be a bright one.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania became an official chapter of Special Olympics in 1970 after hosting a track and field event for 135 participants. In Pennsylvania, 53 local programs provide competition for over 25,000 athletes in more than 20 sports.
SUPPORTERS
Special Olympics-Westmoreland County would like to acknowledge the sponsors, foundations, corporate contributors, and organizations who contribute through-out the year. Their gifts as well as those of individuals enable us to provide the benefits of Special Olympics, benefits that make a big difference in the lives of so many others. We also would like to acknowledge with a special thanks to the organizations that provide us with facilities or services that enable us to use more of our donations to directly benefit the athletes.
If you would like to learn more about our supporters, you can go directly to their web sites by clicking on any highlighted name.
Special Olympics-Westmoreland County would like to acknowledge the sponsors, foundations, corporate contributors, and organizations who contribute through-out the year. Their gifts as well as those of individuals enable us to provide the benefits of Special Olympics, benefits that make a big difference in the lives of so many others. We also would like to acknowledge with a special thanks to the organizations that provide us with facilities or services that enable us to use more of our donations to directly benefit the athletes.
If you would like to learn more about our supporters, you can go directly to their web sites by clicking on any highlighted name.
EVENT SPONSORS
- Bowling
Hillview Lanes, Greensburg
Carl Marinelli and Karen Shively, Owners - Cycling Team
Ferragonio Distributing Company - Golf
Luke's Links, Norvelt - Track an Field
Harley Owners' Group of Latrobe
Rollin Oldies of Southwestern PA - Administration
Ferragonio Distributing Company
FOUNDATIONS
- The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County
- Robertshaw Foundation
- Westmoreland Hospital Employees' Charitable Trust Fund
CORPORATE CONTRIBUTORS
- Firestone Building Products (Youngwood)
- Westmoreland Mall (Greensburg)
- C. Palmer Manufacturing (West Newton)
- Commercial National Bank (Greensburg)
- Fulmer, Inc. (Export)
- Manordale Tires & Service (Delmont)
- The Electro-Kate Company (North Huntingdon)
- Sheraton Four Points (Greensburg)
- P.M. International Nutrition (Export)
- Electro-Glass Products (Mammoth)
- Ferrante's Lakeview, Inc. (Greensburg)
- Kress Manufacturing (North Huntingdon)
- S & C Pipeline (Greensburg)
ORGANIZATIONS
- First Evangelical Lutheran Church (Greensburg)
- Sheriff's Office (Westmoreland County)
Chris Scherer - Sheriff - Kingston Vets (Latrobe)
SPECIAL THANKS
- Greensburg Y.M.C.A.
- Westmoreland Intermediate Unit