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Special Olympics North Carolina Cabarrus County February 23, 2012 Dear County Commissioners, In 2000, Cabarrus County Schools was asked by the County Manager to oversee the Special Olympics program for Cabarrus County. A 5 -year contract was developed and the funding for the coordinator's position was included as part of the county government budget. The current contract expires on June 30, 2012. We are requesting a renewal of this contract along with funding for the coordinator's position. Everyone involved with Special Olympics Cabarrus County is very thankful for this partnership between Cabarrus County and Cabarrus County Schools. With the support we have received from both entities, this program has thrived and is known by Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) has one of the top programs in the state. Since Cabarrus County Schools first entered into a contract with Cabarrus County in 2000, the Special Olympics program has grown rapidly. In 2000, Special Olympics Cabarrus County only had 500 registered athletes and offered training and competition opportunities in five sports. Today, there are over 1200 registered athletes for Cabarrus County and the number of sports programs we offer has tripled. Special Olympics Cabarrus County is very competitive on a state and national level. Special Olympics North Carolina often looks to Cabarrus County to host their annual competitions including: • Basketball and Cheerleading Tournaments in 2005 and 2006 • Annual 5 -on -5 and 3 -on -3 basketball series (January) • Annual Softball and athletics qualifier (April) Our local athletes have been chosen to attend National and World competitions. One of the local soccer teams won a bronze medal at National games in Iowa (2006). Amanda Bass competed at the World Games in Athens, Greece (2011). In the last few years, our athletes have been chosen to be Global Messengers for SONC, on the SONC Athlete Council and even one, Todd Bass, was chosen as "Athlete of the Year" (2011). Special Olympics Cabarrus County has a strong program and continues to build. At this time we offer a variety of different opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities and other related developmental disabilities that they cannot receive from any other organization in the county. Spring Games is a day event where athletes are able to compete and be rewarded in track and field events. This event is now so large that it is scheduled on two separate days at the Cabarrus Arena. This year middle and high school students and adults compete on April 18 and elementary school students on April 19 I encourage you to come out to this event to cheer on the athletes. Many people are familiar with Special Olympics but may not realize that sports programs for qualifying individuals are offered at no cost. A total of 120 athletes trained last year in the sports (many in multiple sports) offered throughout the year. The majority of these athletes were of high school age or adults. Attachment number 1 G -1 Page 136