Special Olympics North Carolina is not in the Governor’s version of the State of North Carolina 2011-12 budget submitted by Governor Beverly Perdue, according to the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Britt Cobb.  NC General Assembly leaders reportedly are considering an end to all funding for nonprofits too.

Why should Special Olympics North Carolina receive funding?  We have just over 38,000 reasons why it is important that our state supports this organization.   Besides the inspiring athletes who everyday remind us of courage, hope, perseverance, and joy, these key facts underscore the value Special Olympics brings to communities throughout North Carolina:

* Only organization in the state offering large scale organized sports programs to children and adults with intellectual disabilities;

* Service to North Carolina’s largest disability group, people with intellectual disabilities;

* Organization at the community level with a statewide impact; active programs available to all 100 NC counties;

* More than 38,000 registered participants; 3,000 new athletes reached for the first time annually;

* Activation of communities with more than 20,000 registered volunteers, many serving in leadership roles.

Support for Special Olympics from the NC DHHS will be a battle this legislative session, but it is one worth fighting.  Let our state leaders know how critical funding is to Special Olympics North Carolina.

NC House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services

Co-chairmen

Representative Nelson Dollar – Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net
Representative Justin Burr – Justin.Burr@ncleg.net

 Member

Representative Verla Insko – Verla.Insko@ncleg.net

 NC Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services

 Co-chairmen

Senator Harris Blake – Harris.Blake@ncleg.net
Senator Stan Bingham – Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net
Senator Louis Pate – Louis.Pate@ncleg.net

 Member

Senator William Purcell – William.Purcell@ncleg.net