Who We Are
Special Olympics of New Hampshire (SONH) is a non profit organization providing sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Currently over 3,000 participants and thousands of volunteers, friends and family members take part in SONH activities.
Our Philosophy
SONH is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instructions and encourgement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with mental and physical challenges.
SONH believes that consistent training is indispensable to the development of sports skills and that competition among those with equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing those skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.
Our History
The Special Olympics concept was born in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities. She observed the great joy campers experienced when playing sports and resolved to create a program that would bot meet physical fitness needs and boost self-esteem.
Through Mrs. Shriver's inspiration, 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada took part in the First International Special Olympics Games held at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, July 19-20, 1968. Since then, millions of children and adults with intellectual disabilities have participated in Special Olympis events. Here in New Hampshire, the first Special Olympics Games were held at Philips Exeter Academy in 1970.
One hundred twenty seven athletes competed in track and field events at those games. Today over 3,000 participants train and compete in a year-round program that includes 22 sports and dozens of opportunities for competition.
Around the World
Around the world there are accredited Special Olympics programs in more than 150 countries, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Over 15,000 competition events in summer and winter sports are held each year in communities worldwide. State programs hold their events annually. State Games culminate in a World Games every two years, alternating between winter and summer sports.
Organizational Structure
SONH has seven geographical regions within the state including: Great North Woods region, Monadnock and Connecticut River region, Seacoast region, Greater Manchester region, Central region, Lower Merrimack region and Upper Valley region. There are over 100 local community and school programs within those regions. Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics, Inc. accredit SONH.
SONH is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board features members with backgrounds in diverse fields including education, banking, athletics, law and business.
|
Chairperson:
Vice Chairperson:
Treasurer:
Chairperson Elect:
Athlete Representative:
Secretary: |
Scott Kalicki
Steve Boivin
Sue Scacchi
Mark Duggan
Pam Langille
Pual Goyette
Heather Whitfield
James Dunphy
Leon Jesseman
Joseph Marshall
John Hayden
John Callamaro
Doug Basnett
Lyndsee Paskalis
Mark Thornton
Mike Dennehy
Pete Bleyler
Rich Heidbreder
Rick Caron
Bob Cousens
Betty Hackett
Dean Kenney |
|
Southern NH University
Northeast Planning Associates
TD BankNorth
Hampshire First Bank
Circle K Great Lakes Division
Fidelity Investments
Epoch Corporation
Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
Dennehy & Bouley
Fairpoint Communications
Fairpoint Communications
Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker LLC
|
