Donating Special Olympics Westmoreland County is a non-profit organization deriving all operating funds from donations obtained through the generosity of the individuals and the business and private communities to fund its programs.

The local program receives no financial support from government agencies, the United Way* or any other larger organization. All donations made to the local program are used within the local program. 

We ask our athletes to give us everything they have when they train and complete. All we are asking you to give is what you can because, together, it works wonders.

*Financial support is available through the United Way Donor Option Plan, #381.

Your gift helps to support:

Athletes     Coaches     Families
individual/Corporate The business community as well as individuals can make tax-deductible contributions directly to Special Olympics-Westmoreland County.  Donations may be made to support the Athletes' Sports Fund, which is used to pay for training and competitions as needed.  Donors may also specify which sport or segment of the organization they would like to support financially, such as cycling, swimming or the Public Relations Department.  Simply print and complete the donation form.  All donations are acknowledged in writing by the Management Team.

IN-KIND SERVICE In-kind service donations, that is the contribution of a service or product, can also be made and are as valuable as cash as a form of financial assistance.  In-kind service donations are treated and acknowledged the same as cash donations.  Examples of in-kind service donations are:

MEALS     TRANSPORTATION     EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES
HOW DONATIONS ARE USED All funds received help to pay for the costs of training and conducting the competitive events, including attending regional and state level competitions. Any donors may specify where they money will be used while specific grant requests to foundations and corporations will be submitted for designated sports, events or purchases, as well as for the Athletes' Sports Fund. This fund is used for all expenses pertaining directly to the athletes.

Athletes' Sports Fund

  • Transportation
  • Event Awards
  • Registration Fees
  • Meals
  • Uniforms
  • Sports Equipment
  • Coaches'Training
  • Athlete Training

Designated Programs and Events

  • Healthy Athletes Incentive
  • Athlete Training
  • Sponsored Events
  • Designated Programs

General Operational Expenses

  • Web Site Hosting Fees
  • Telephone Exercise
  • Leadership Training
  • Equipment Storage Rental
  • Postage
The official registration and financial information of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania-Westmoreland County is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code. Contributions may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
PLANNED GIVING


You can support the athletes of Special Olympics Pennsylvania-Westmoreland County now through donations made to the county organization.  Your dollars ensure that our athletes have the chance to train and compete today.

To ensure a future of hope and opportunity for the next generation of athletes, allow your legacy to live on in the dreams of others by remembering Special Olympics Pennsylvania-Westmoreland County in your will or as a beneficiary in your insurance policy or personal investment accounts.

Your legacy or bequest gifts can be designated to support Special Olympics athletes around the globe, in Pennsylvania or right here in the community in which you live, Westmoreland County.

THE OLYMPUS SOCIETY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA


The Olympus Society was established in 1995 in observance of the 25th anniversary of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Its mission: to recognize those individuals with the vision to realize that the plans they're making today preserve the dreams of tomorrow.

In the tradition of excellence and grandeur, Olympus Society members are the guardians who protect our athlete's future.  By providing for Special Olympics Pennsylvania in your estate plans today, members of The Olympus Society guarantee the long-term success of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and it's athletes.

With their gifts, members directly influence the lives of children and adults with mental retardation. Their generosity and foresight will enable more individuals to experience the unique and rewarding experience known as Special Olympics and will help athletes become more confident and productive citizens of the world.

While the Greeks believed in mythical gods who ruled the Olympus, Special Olympics Pennsylvania knows there is nothing mythical about the real people who ensure the next generation of athletes will have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
Business organizations may wish to combine the cash and in-kind service donations into one donation by sponsoring an entire event, such as skiing.  At this level, the sponsor's name will be directly linked to the event in all press releases, signage at the event as well as the customary acknowledgement from the Management Team.  Business organizations who choose this method also can get their employees involved as volunteers in various capacities from registration officials to race timers and athlete companions.

Why partner with Special Olympics?

Sponsorship funds help improve the lives of special needs athletes from through-out Westmoreland County

Special Olympics has high recognition and visibility:

  • 97 percent name regognition in the United States, according to Performance Research (2001)
  • "Favorite Charity," according to a Time Magazine survey, Citicorp and Proctor and Gamble
  • "Best of Class" in making a difference in the lives of the people it serves when compared to other well-established charities, according to an Equitus Study conducted by Enterprise IG (1999)
  • One of the best charities in America, according to Worth magazine (2001)
Special Olympics North America commissioned Performance Research to conduct a brand recognition study (via telephone) in August 2001. Here is what people had to say about Special Olympics:

  • Special Olympics has 97 percent name recognition in the United States
  • 70 percent of the public say they feel more positive about companies that support Special Olympics
  • 85 percent of the public believe that corporate partnerships with Special Olympics "make a difference" in the lives of children and adults with mental retardation
  • 77 percent of the public would be "extremely" likely to spend a little more to purchase a product or service if they thought it were helping Special Olympics
So why not partner with Special Olympics Westmoreland County today? Download the Event Sponsor form to sponsor an event.
Here at Special Olympics, that treasure is a chance for athletes to train and compete in sports. Through recycling, donating is made easy and you can help protect the environment by keeping recyclables out of our area landfills. Proceeds from recycling donations go to the Athletes' Sports Fund. Check out the areas below to see how you can help Special Olympics by recycling.

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans can be recycled at Dens-A-Can-International on Donohue Road in Hempfield Township, near the Westmoreland Mall. Take the cans to the side door at Dens-A-Can, and let the employees know the cans are for Special Olympics. For additional information, contact Dens-A-Can at 724-834-8080.
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Cell Phones

Every day, thousands upon thousands of worthless cell phones are thoughtlessly discarded in the U.S.  These phones can be recycled and sent to areas with economic necessity.  Some phones are also refurbished and given to those who are in need of 911, emergency only, communications.  Cell phones also contain many toxins and are very hazardous to our environment and they should not end up in landfills.

Special Olympics Westmoreland County will receive cash for each cell phone donated through the Charitable Recycling Program, regardless of condition. Your donation will not only help us provide our sports training and competitions, but will also benefit the environment.

To donate your used cell phone, print the Charitable Recycling Contribution Form, and mail your phone(s) to the address listed. Phones are also accepted at the location listed below.

Laser and Ink Jet Cartidges

With the growing number of computers in homes and offices, there is also a huge number of printers. These printers along with fax machines, unlike their ancestors, do not use ribbons but depend on toner cartridges to do the printing. Most cartridges are discarded when they use up their supply of ink or toner and are committed to an eternal life in land fills. Not only that, our precious resources are used to manufacture new cartridges when the old ones are discarded.

By recycling, old cartridges are given new life by being remanufactured to be used again. We receive cash for each cartridge we recycle. Then the recycled cartridges are remanufactured by people with disabilities, providing them with an employment opportunity as well as occupational training.

Laser and Ink Jet Cartridges are accepted at the locations listed below.

Recycling Drop-Off Locations

  • Irwin Plaza Beer - 9379 Route 30, North Huntingdon, PA - 724-863-7771
  • Clairview School - 215 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA - 724-832-0188
  • Cell Phones and Toner Cartridges can also be donated by mail to:

    Special Olympics Westmoreland County
    215 Donohoe Road
    Greensburg, PA 15601
    Attention: Kelly Miller, County Manager
Other Recycling Methods

Another easy way to recycle cell phones and toner cartridges is to start a recycling program at work. Simply place a box in a central location and let the employees know through email or the company newsletter that they can recycle at work and at the same time help provide sports training and competitions for our athletes. When the box is full, send the box to the address below and we will take care of the rest.

  • Ferragonio Distributing Company
    1016 Corporate Lane
    Murray Corporate Park
    Export, PA 15632
If you would like so submit feedback or ask us a question, please use the contact form or email us at info@westpol.org
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