PRESS RELEASE
19 June 2007

Special Olympics Montana Receives
$202,500 For Growth Initiative 

( Great Falls , MT ) Special Olympics Montana has received a $135,000 grant from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver, Washington to fund Project Quantum LEAP. With this gift, the Trust makes its third and largest donation to Special Olympics Montana to support program growth and expansion. 

In addition, two donors have given matching funds to the project. Bresnan Communications headquartered in Purchase, NY donated $37,500 and Century Gaming in Missoula, Montana gave $30,000 to the project. Both organizations are longstanding supporters and major, year-round sponsors of Special Olympics Montana athletes. 

Project Quantum LEAP (Let Eligible Athletes Play) is a growth initiative to recruit and train 450 new Special Olympics athletes over the next five years. New coaches, volunteers and other infrastructure will also be added to support the expansion. A staff outreach director who is located in the northwest region of Montana will be hired to implement the plan. 

Special Olympics Montana currently serves nearly 2000 individuals with intellectual disabilities who participate in sports training and athletic competition in sixteen Olympic-type sports. Athletes participate year-round to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and become meaningful contributors to their communities. 

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.somt.org

Contact: Bob Norbie, President
bnorbie@somt.org

Special Olympics Montana
PO Box 3507
Great Falls, MT  59403
800-242-6876 
406-216-5327