"Peace begins with a smile"

I spent two weeks in McCall with Stephanie at the snowshoeing venue. I was nervous and stressing out before leaving, not exactly sure of myself and leading volunteers. I'm more of a follower, so the week stretched me- it was chaotic at times, for everyone involved with the Games (transportation, food & beverage, credentials..) But it was wonderful. My favorite part was seeing the athletes compete- watching Reuben win a bronze medal! And greeting the different countries as they came in- being able to share smiles, hugs and handshakes even if we didn't speak the same language. The Games are magical!

Snowshoeing, Ponderosa State Park


Mary g

Human Rights-Special Olympics World Winter Games

**Delegation Welcome Center**

Fionna, Laurane(irish athlete), Mary, Britta, Josh

Human rights refers to the "basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled"

Dignity, acceptance, and a chance to reach one’s potential

Since 1968, Special Olympics has been bringing one message to the world: people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed if given the opportunity.

Many live lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools or society. Transforming the athlete, Special Olympics sports are a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy.

Communities see their humanity, their joy in competition, their pride and their potential, and they begin to believe in a different kind of world– a world in which everyone is respected and included.

What does this inclusion mean?
Special Olympics is changing lives ...

Dignity, acceptance, and a chance to reach one’s potential

"It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts."

Kaycee Murray, channel 7 news

Click the link below! A few AmeriCorps faces are seen unloading scarves :)
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jan2809-scarves.106cb8d2.html

Special Olympics trading scarves for donation

BOISE - The Special Olympics World Winter Games put out a nationwide call nearly one year ago for scarves.

They wanted all the athletes and coaches to have one when they came to Idaho.

Organizers were inundated – receiving more scarves than they expected – or needed.

They received so many scarves they have decided to make these available to the public - what they ask in return is a donation.

"They come in boxes of 10, 20 - 100 at the same time," said Chip Fisher, World Winter Games Chairman.

Special Olympics World Winter Games organizers had hoped to gather about 2,500 scarves for the athletes, but word spread quickly across the knitting community.

"They just started coming in from everywhere - across the nation and 10 different countries," Special Olympics marketing VP Heather Hill said.

As of now, they have received 55,000 blue and white knitted scarves.

So organizers have decided to offer the extra scarves to the community and ask for a donation in return.

Organizers are sensitive to concern that those who made the scarves might be upset they are being sold instead of ending up around the neck of a deserving athlete.

"It’s really going to the athlete's experience,” Fisher said. “If you really listen to these athletes they want to be part of a community and with these scarves we can show them that they are part of us.”

Moxie Java is one business where you can pick up some of these scarves.

"Today we received about five different donations for the scarves,” Lauren Powers with Moxie Java said. “We have seen everything from $5 up to $20.”

Fisher says even if fundraising from the scarves surpasses what they need for the games - the money will stay in our community.

"If you give for a scarf and we have money left over that money will stay in Idaho and will continue to support people with disabilities," he said.

You can pick up these scarves at certain Washington Trust Banks, Costco, Walmart and Moxie Java locations.

Fisher says he wouldn't be surprised if the scarves become a tradition at World Winter Games in years to come.

Introducing Blue 4!

(click to enlarge.)

Borders

These just felt appropriate for today...make what you will of them.


"From our orbital vantage point, we observe an earth without borders, full of peace, beauty and magnificence, and we pray that humanity as a whole can imagine a borderless world as we see it and strive to live as one in peace."

-Pilot William McCool, STS-107 (Orbiter Columbia)
Note: William "Willie" McCool died on Feb. 1st 2003 when Columbia broke up on reentry...just a few days after making the above statement.


"When I was a kid, they used to tell me that I could be anything I wanted to be, no matter what... and maybe I am insane, I don't know, but I still believe that. Somewhere along the line, we stopped believing that we could do anything."

-Charles Farmer "The Astronaut Farmer"


Peace,
Lance "Rocketman"

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Hi everyone, Alli here.

Today as we left the apartment this morning to go workout, we were greeted with a wonderful surprise.. it was SNOWING!! This is the first time it has snowed in Boise since we have been here. Being from Florida, I couldn't help but run onto the balcony and take some pictures! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

We have all be really busy working at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, but it is truly worth it! Another team, Blue 7, arrived in Boise on Thursday and started work today. It is great having them here, and we hope they will love the Games and Boise as much as we do! 

xoxo, 

Alli

PS.... We would like to send a special thanks to Cheryl's mom for sending us napkins! We have truly missed using them! 

An update

This is Mary.

Cheryl says I moan in my sleep, and it's really creeping the both of us out- but probably her more than me. I think we came to the conclusion it was me making the noises during that night in Rome, Oregon. Supposedly everyone heard mysterious sounds coming from my side of the bed.

Oregon Flashback

 

Sleeptime in Boise

Shelby and I had a one on one yesterday, when I chopped of her hair! It looks great. I really like your hair, Shelby. Meanwhile, Emily and Fionna had a very entertaining dance party on the balcony.

It was a wonderful Saturday.

I'm excited for the winter break. I know this week coming up [the last full one before we leave for break] will be a crazy one. The deadline for everybody's plans seems to be the 15th of December. Hooray for Blue 7 joining us from Compton! That was a cool surprise.

Downtown shots: 

Cool skies & Special Olympics advertising on Office Depot