Special Olympics Oklahoma History
Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The first International Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. There are programs in all 50 states and more than 4.4 million athletes in 226 Accredited Special Olympics Programs across more than 170 countries worldwide with 7 regional offices around the world, located in Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe-Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East-North Africa and North America. Special Olympics, Inc. is a non-profit international organization located in Washington, DC.
Oklahoma’s first Special Olympics event was an athletics competition at the University of Tulsa in 1969. In 1972, Special Olympics Oklahoma was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is governed by a state-wide Board of Directors. Special Olympics Oklahoma is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc., for the benefit of citizens with intellectual disabilities. Today, Special Olympics Oklahoma benefits 12,100 athletes and is supported by over 13,000 volunteer coaches and thousands of sponsors, donors and volunteers conducting more than 175 sports competitions and training clinics every year.
Mission Statement
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic 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 participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
The Goal
The goal of Special Olympics is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the opportunity to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected by their families, friends and in their communities.
Benefits
Athletes carry the benefits from their involvement in Special Olympics with them in their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job and in the community. Families are strengthened and the community increases its understanding, acceptance and respect of these individuals.
Our Staff
President & CEO
Adrian DeWendt 918-221-9838
Initiative Coordinator:
Talon Brentlinger 918-236-0906
Chief Operating Officer
Derek Cain 918-221-9843
Initiative Manager:
Josie Cox 918-216-9144
Sports and Training Manager:
Brittany Dionne 918-221-8644
Special Events Coordinator:
Bonnie Duffield 918-221-8288
Development Director:
Malayna Hasmanis 918-221-7487
Data Assistant:
Kim Largess 918-221-7104
Volunteer Manager:
Anne League 918-221-5101
Marketing and Communications Director:
Paige Martin 918-221-5047
Finance Director:
Nguyen Nguyen 918-221-5036
V.P. of Sports and Training:
John Seals 918-217-8946
Program Data Assistant:
Sue Shelton 918-217-8936
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Mark Wilmoth, Chairman
Stephen Bolden, Vice Chairman
Scott Moore, Immediate Past Chairman
Jennifer Annis, Secretary
Nicholas Paynter, Treasurer
Jim Scott, Program Representative
Nick Crouch, Development Representative
Adrian DeWendt, Ex Officio
General Board
Dr. Travis Burkett
Randy Braucher
Jim Fisher
Justin Green
Kevin Gwaltney-Testerman (athlete)
Dr. Jennifer Jones
Gene Kirkland, Lt. Gen (retired)
Mike Klehm
Brian Matula
Linda McKown
Brien Mikell
William W. O’Connor
Larry Reece
David Seabolt
Financials
We take our mission very seriously and Special Olympics Oklahoma is proud to be able to return 90% of every dollar back to program services.
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