For Immediate Release
November 16, 2009
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Contact: Pete Olsen
polsen@somt.org
406-216-5327 Ext. 113
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Whitefish Mountain Resort and
Special Olympics Montana
Celebrate the 15th Annual State Winter Games
Opening Ceremonies to include a Parade of Athletes through Downtown Whitefish on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4:00p.m
(Whitefish, December 1, 2009) Special Olympics Montana, a 40 year-old movement that enables children and adults with intellectual disabilities to train for life through sports will conduct its State Winter Games February 28 – March 2nd, at the Whitefish Mountain Resort. 2010 marks the fifteenth-consecutive year that the State Winter Games have been held at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.
300+ athletes, 30+ unified partners and 150+ coaches/chaperons from over 25 teams are expected to gather at Whitefish Mountain Resort to compete in four different sports over a three-day period. Competitions will include Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing and Alpine Snowboarding. In addition, a one-day Floor Hockey Team Competition will take place at The WAVE in Whitefish. See the attached games schedule for event times.
In addition to competition, special events such as the Parade of Athletes through downtown Whitefish, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Athlete Victory Banquet, Dance/Carnival, a Families Luncheon and much more will create memorable experiences as we celebrate life through sports. The public is invited to line Central Avenue from 3rd St. to Railway St. for the Parade of Athletes beginning at 4pm, and then accompany the athletes to the Opening Ceremonies in Depot Park. The parade and Opening Ceremonies will include live music from the band “Fresh Ink” and the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron as well as other exciting festivities for families.
As an athlete-centered, family-based and volunteer driven organization, Special Olympics Montana relies almost exclusively on the support of community volunteers, businesses and service organizations for leadership, planning and preparation, in-kind and financial gifts. The roles and duties are many, requiring upwards of 250 volunteers to organize and prepare for the Games. For volunteer inquiries please contact Karen Kimball at 406-837-0319, email: dryfly@centurytel.net.
To learn more about Special Olympics Montana or receive additional information about the opportunities to help host or sponsor the 2009 Winter Games, please contact Jim Lawrence, VP of Development at jlawrence@somt.org or call Special Olympics Montana headquarters at 1-800-242-6876.
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 State Winter Games schedule for Families
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