PRESS RELEASE
October 6, 2008

Outstanding Honorees announced at Banquet

Special Olympics Montana 
Distinguished Service Awards

(Great Falls, Montana) – Special Olympics Montana recently honored recipients of the prestigious statewide Distinguished Service Awards during its annual Fall Leadership Conference September 19 through September 21 in Great Falls. The Montana State University–College of Technology at Great Falls hosted the event. Other support was provided by the Joseph N. Blankenbaker Charitable Foundation; the Mattel Children's Foundation; the Charlotte Y. Martin Foundation; and the Oro y Plata Foundation. Individuals, organizations and businesses from across the state were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Special Olympics Montana.

The recipients were nominated statewide by volunteers, coaches, sponsors, families and supporters of Special Olympics Montana and selected by a committee representing the organization's various constituents such as athletes, coaches, Board of Directors, families, Area Directors and staff. More than 250 guests assembled at the Great Falls International Airport's Panorama Room to celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics with a 1968 dinner theme, honoring 40 years of Special Olympics, and recognition of the award recipients.

Following are the statewide recipients of the 2008 Special Olympics Montana Distinguished Service Awards:

Special Olympics Montana
2008 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Brandy Peterson, BILLINGS

In a world where strong values are not always obvious, Brandy Peterson possesses honesty, strength, virtue and love for life. She is a model Special Olympics athlete, and like so many others who achieve the stature of this award, does not seek recognition or personal attention.

Accolades for Brandy are numerous. As one nominator states, "The value of Brandy's presence in our program is immeasurable. She did not compete in track and field this past year, but brought a smiling face to every practice – there to keep teammates going with a bubbly personality and helping hand."

Another nomination reads, "Brandy is always asking questions in order to improve skills, and to learn about doing things the right way. Her positive, competitive spirit never goes away. She is a real go-getter and has fun, while being an example to others by working and playing hard."

Brandy Peterson embodies the essence of Special Olympics and through her Strength, Love and Courage encourages others to do the same.

(For a complete transcript of Special Olympics Montana President/CEO Bob Norbie's remarks about Brandy Peterson, please contact Tammy Peterson at 800-242-6876.)

Special Olympics Montana HALL OF FAME - Dana Darko, GREAT FALLS

The Special Olympics Montana Hall of Fame Award notes lifetime achievement by a person or persons who give the highest service to the mission of Special Olympics. In 2008, the award was given to Dana Darko of Great Falls. Dana was honored during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls recently. A recipient of the Hall of Fame award demonstrates strength of character that inspires athletes, volunteers, parents and all others.

Dana is a person who meets the criteria in every way, beginning with a quiet strength and unwavering presence. He has an uplifting and giving spirit that makes those around him want to be better people. He continually gives encouragement and mentoring to the athletes with his enthusiasm and fun-loving attitude.

For more than a decade, Dana has been key to Area Winter Games in the great Falls Area, is always on hand for Area Spring Games, and has assisted with State Winter Games in Whitefish.

For exemplary achievements for almost 20 years, Special Olympics Montana is most proud to present the 2008 Hall of Fame Award to Dana Darko from Great Falls.

THE SPIRIT OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS - Peggy Stiles, BELGRADE

Peggy Stiles of Belgrade, has been awarded the 2008 Spirit of Special Olympics Award by Special Olympics Montana. Given during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls recently, the award is reserved for an individual volunteer who, through his or her long term commitment to Special Olympics Montana, best exemplifies the dedication and unselfish efforts associated with the true spirit of Special Olympics.

Outstanding FAMILY OF THE YEAR –Theresa Baldry, Terry Baldry, Isaac Baldry, Erika Baldry and Craig McBride, MILES CITY

The Baldry family of Miles City makes unique and lasting contributions to the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics Montana and was honored for doing so during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls recently.

Theresa and her family have single-handily revitalized Special Olympics programming in the Miles City area over the past seven years and have built a program that now serves more than fifteen local athletes annually.



Outstanding COACH OF THE YEAR – Micky Williams, GREAT FALLS

Micky Williams of Great Falls was recently honored as the Special Olympics Montana Outstanding Coach of the Year for 2008 during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. She is recognized as a volunteer and certified Special Olympics coach who demonstrates the technical skill, commitment and compassion needed to train athletes for competition and for life.

Outstanding ADULT VOLUNTEER – Cindy Ruffner, BUTTE

Cindy Ruffner from Butte was recognized at the Special Olympics Montana Distinguished Service Awards Banquet recently as Outstanding Adult Volunteer in 2008 whose work serves to further the quality of Special Olympics program at the local, area and state level.

As one nominator for the award wrote: "Cindy is the glue the holds things together. She is someone who handles all the little details that add up to excellence – a person who really takes care of the athletes. She makes sure that uniforms are clean and ready for competition. She's the photographer, she makes memory books for the athletes, and she has an eye on the big picture. She travels the world with her husband on business, and manages to make friends among people with intellectual disabilities across the globe.
In fact, she connected with a group of interested individuals in Poland a few years back. She was in Bytom, a sister city of Butte, Montana. At her invitation, members of that community came to Butte during the Special Olympics Area Games – and took away their own interest in starting a Special Olympics program in their home community."

Cindy Ruffner has made a difference locally, state-wide and extends global influence as a Special Olympics volunteer.

Outstanding YOUTH VOLUNTEER – Healy Lyons, GREAT FALLS

Healy Lyons of Great Falls received the 2008 Outstanding Youth Volunteer award during Special Olympics Montana's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. The award is given to the youth volunteer who is the best example of volunteerism by a youth that improves a Special Olympics program during 2008.

Outstanding LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAM –
Special Olympics Glendive, GLENDIVE

Special Olympics Glendive was recently named the Outstanding Special Olympics Montana local program during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. As the program that best exemplifies the Special Olympics spirit and that provides a well-developed program for athletes, coaches, volunteers and families, the Glendive program received the award for 2008.

Toni Goroski, local program coordinator, coach and Area contact for Special Olympics Montana in the Prairie Badlands Area is the spark behind the success. Toni has taken a small, struggling program and helped to build a vibrant team of fifty athletes who compete statewide.

Outstanding LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAM – Billings Adults, BILLINGS

The Billings Adults was recently named the Outstanding Special Olympics Montana local program during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. As the program that best exemplifies the Special Olympics spirit and that provides a well-developed program for athletes, coaches, volunteers and families, the Billings Adult program received the award for 2008.

Andy and Pattie Minchew of Billings were recognized as head coaches and organizational strong towers who oversee training and competition opportunities for nearly 200 Special Olympics adult athletes in the Yellowstone Valley Area.

Outstanding ORGANIZATION – Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding, CORVALLIS

Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding was recently honored during Special Olympics Montana's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet as the Outstanding Organization that has made significant contributions to Special Olympics Montana in 2008.

Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding has been involved in Special Olympics equestrian training for seven years and their owners and staff always go the extra mile to make certain local riders have opportunity to train and compete for Special Olympics Montana Equestrian events.

Outstanding BUSINESS – Edelen Photography, BUTTE

Edelen Photography of Butte was honored during Special Olympics Montana's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet as the Outstanding Business for 2008. The award is given for a business that has made big contributions to Special Olympics Montana.

Owner and photographer Gregg Edelen is generous beyond expectation, giving tremendous amounts of professional time and financial resource since 1999, in building Special Olympics Montana's photo library well into the thousands of images. Edelen has won international recognition among Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers for his work.

Outstanding MEDIA SUPPORT – Wendt, GREAT FALLS

Wendt of Great Falls received the Outstanding Print Media Support Distinguished Service Award for 2008 at the Special Olympics Montana Distinguished Service Award Banquet in Great Falls recently. The award is given to the print media outlet or individual who, through media support, has made significant contributions to Special Olympics Montana.

In his remarks announcing Wendt as this year's recipients, Bob Norbie, President and CEO of Special Olympics Montana commented: " I could not be more pleased to make this award. Special Olympics Montana has so many friends who believe in our athletes and the mission. It can be difficult to single out any one group.

"Wendt, however, made a phenomenal mark for us in the media with television, radio, print, billboard, and posters that would simply not be available to us without their generosity.

For each of three consecutive years, they put out a tremendous advertising campaign for State Summer Games. We are so proud of the messages those campaigns convey, featuring athletes like 2007 Athlete of the Year, Anton Veverka; and Weston Widhalm with his brother, Bryce. These athletes and Unified Partner enjoyed immense recognition on behalf of all Special Olympics Montana athletes. You saw them on posters, billboards, commercials … they were in the spotlight, where all Special Olympics athletes belong … inspiring the rest of us, changing attitudes in the public eye.

"The people at this multi-media agency really 'get it.' Their work became much more than business. They gave their unique creative energy, and so much time to build the campaign, until they had it just right. And then … they volunteered. Staff came to meeting after meeting, engaged in the planning, adding excellence to the Games … and the whole group volunteered during the events themselves for each of three years."

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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.specialolympics.org

Contact: Tammy Peterson , VP Field Services
tpeterson@somt.org

Special Olympics Montana
PO Box 3507
Great Falls, MT  59403
1-800-242-6876
406-216-5327