Press Release - TuscBDD Special Olympics Coordinator Adds Three New Sports

PRESS RELEASE

TuscBDD Special Olympics Coordinator Adds Three New Sports

New Philadelphia, August 24, 2017: At the August 2017 regularly scheduled board meeting for the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD), Special Olympics Coordinator, Richelle Lefler and Special Olympics Input Council members and athletes, Chelsea Lefler, Liz Lippencott, and Rachel Russell presented information on the county's program.
Richelle Leffler has added three sports to the program including flag football, softball, and pep club. With the addition of these sports, TuscBDD now offers 12 sports to local athletes. In addition to adding new choices for participants, an Input Council has also been started. Ten athletes are participating in the Input Council which pairs Olympians with mentors. This council is a statewide movement that aims to get athletes involved with the operation and governance of the Special Olympics organization by giving each member a voice and leadership opportunities. "Special Olympics provides people with choices and connection," expressed Leffler "The Input Council enables people to make decisions for themselves and to advocate for others."

During the meeting, Chelsea Lefler read TuscBDD's mission followed by Rachel Russell's recital of TuscBDD's vision statement. During the presentation, Liz Lippencott passed out literature to review with board members. The literature overviewed that there are over 100 athletes involved in the Special Olympics for the 2017 and 2018 season along with 35 unified partners, 16 coaches, and over 30 community partners and sponsors.

Other decisions made at the August board meeting include:

• An addition of Service and Support Administrator Position will be added to the table of organization. The superintendent will post and fill the position.
• The following donation was accepted: $1,231.20 from the Dover Knights of Columbus Council #1973 to TuscBDD for the purpose of Special Olympics.

For more information, please contact Kerri Silverthorn at ksilverthorn@tuscbdd.org or call 330.339.9683 ext. 2102.