The Special Olympics Guilford/Greensboro Cowboys Softball Team at the 2009 SONC Summer Games in Raleigh, NC.

The silver medals won by the Special Olympics Guilford/Greensboro Cowboys at the 2009 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games in Raleigh on June 7 shone just as bright as gold to the 11 members of the team.  These teammates have been playing together for 15 years, but this was without a doubt, one of their finest moments.  The pride was evident on their faces as they accepted their medals in their brand new uniforms.

The softball season was one full of struggle.  The squad was already adjusting to the news they no longer had a home field in Greensboro on which to practice or play due to construction in the area.  Then the real tragedy struck. 

Late in February, a fire destroyed Coach John Stone’s home, barn and property.  It claimed his beloved pets and leveled the house that had been in his family for years.  He lost everything he owned.  Stone, a Special Olympics basketball and softball coach, stored all his teams’ uniforms and equipment at his house and all of it went up in flames.

“It was a traumatic time,” said Charyl Clark, Special Olympics Guilford/Greensboro local coordinator.  “It was devastating for the Stone’s and for the athletes. But John is so dedicated to the athletes he never missed a beat.”

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More than 1,200 athletes competed in athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, softball and volleyball in Raleigh and Cary June 5-7 at the 2009 SONC Summer Games. Congratulations athletes! 

See photos from the Games in our online photo gallery on the SONC home page.
Additional photos are available at www.soncphotos.com.

Results (pdf) from the 2009 Summer Games.
Online Results (by county)

Thank you volunteers!  We'd love your feedback!  Please fill out the SONC Volunteer Survery.

Special Olympics Wake County athletes and coaches have been selected to compete in the 2009 National Invitational Tournaments for Golf and Softball July 31-Aug. 3 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Special Olympics operates on donations, sponsorships and grants. Athletes are never charged a fee to participate.  This is incredible opportunity for these athletes and funds are needed to cover the travel expenses for the group.

Ways you can help:

-Trip T-shirts for a $10 donation. Sponsorship space is available for donations from businesses.
-Softball team logo shirts and caps for a $10 donation each.
-Golf team caps for a $10 donation.
-Auto-Bell Car Wash tickets. Tickets are $13.95 for a regular wash and Special Olympics Wake County will get 50% of ticket sales.
-“Opportunity Quilt" Raffle.  The "Mola Stories" opportunity quilt is being displayed at Etc. Crafts, 226 East Chatham St., Cary, until Monday.  On July 6, it will go to Elegant Stitches in Waverly Shopping Center, Cary, until July 11.  Make a $5 donation for a chance to win.
-Pizza Inn night (2221 New Hope Church Rd., Raleigh, near Atlantic Ave.) July 7.  Athletes will be working for tips and 10% of sales.
-Online donations at www.firstgiving.com/wakecounty

Brian Philpot - 919-807-8378 - Brian.philpot@ci.raleigh.nc.us - Local Coordinator - Special Olympics Wake County

Officers from the Hickory Police Department are selling DUCKS!  The officers are hosting the 1st Annual AFLAC Duck Pluck on the night of Oct. 10 in Hickory.  

The officers are selling numbered tickets for $15 from now until Oct. 10.  The number on each ticket will correspond to a number on a duck.  On the evening of Oct. 10 all of the ducks will be dropped into the City Hall fountain in Union Square in Hickory.  A Special Olympics athlete will pluck the winning duck!  Tickets will be sold during Oktoberfest.  The winner will receive airfare and a 4 day, 3 night cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines for two people!

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