Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Post

🎉 New Blog: Most Americans Will Watch the Summer Olympics! 🏅📺 From Simone Biles, LeBron James, and Steph Curry to Scottie Scheffler, Katie Ledecky, and Coco Gauff, superstar athletes are fired up to compete in the Summer Olympics. And the majority of Americans will be tuning in! Our recent survey reveals that 68% of Americans plan to watch the Olympics this summer. Among men, the interest rises to 73%. Causeway Solutions conducts a monthly survey of more than 800 U.S. adults aged 18+. We found the event is particularly popular among adults aged 35-44, with 73% expressing interest, closely followed by those aged 25-34 at 71%. Learn more findings here: https://lnkd.in/eiY8s66U #Olympics2024 #MarketingOpportunity #SimoneBiles #LeBronJames #StephCurry #ScottieScheffler #KatieLedecky #CocoGauff #CausewaySolutions

Transforming Jefferson County: The Birth of FCSO's FAT to Fit Olympic Games (FTFOG) In 2011, the small yet determined community of Jefferson County, Mississippi, faced a startling revelation. A local news broadcast on WJTV Channel 12, coupled with an in-depth report from the Clarion Ledger Jackson newspaper, declared Jefferson County as "the fattest county in America." This eye-opening moment became the catalyst for a transformative journey led by the Fayette Community Service Organization (FCSO), spearheaded by Mr. Anthony Edwards and Mrs. Janell Westley-Edwards. A Wake-Up Call and a Vision The news struck a chord with the Edwards, who had recently attended the Global Obesity Summit in Jackson, MS. Inspired by the summit’s call to action and armed with a wealth of knowledge, they returned to Jefferson County with a renewed sense of purpose. They saw the health crisis in their community not as a deterrent but as an opportunity to ignite change and promote a culture of wellness. The Birth of FAT to Fit Olympic Games In response to the alarming health statistics, FCSO created the FTFOG The inaugural FTFOG began modestly at the community multi-purpose center with just 60 registered participants. The enthusiasm and engagement it garnered were overwhelming, prompting a move to larger venues in subsequent years, including the Jefferson County Elementary School gymnasium and eventually the Davey Whitney HYPER Complex at Alcorn State University. Remarkable Achievements Over the years, FTFOG has achieved remarkable milestones: - Conducted 15,883 free health screenings. - Awarded 1,101 new bicycles. - Distributed approximately $12,100 in cash prizes, health equipment, health gear, and apparel. - Attracted participants from 13 Mississippi counties and six states nationwide. - Engaged four local municipalities as official members of the FAT to Fit Family network, including Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and the City of Vicksburg. A Call to Action FCSO invites community members, local businesses, and media outlets to join in this transformative journey. The FTFOG is more than an event; it is a movement towards a healthier, happier future for all. Together, we can combat childhood obesity and promote wellness in every corner of our communities. Contact Information For more information about the FTFOG Georgia 2024, or to get involved, please contact: - Janell Westley-Edwards - Email: [email protected] - Phone: 1-601-493-5483 / 1-601-660-3857 Join us in celebrating health, fitness, and community spirit. Let’s make Georgia 2024 an event to REMEMBER!

Transforming Jefferson County: The Birth of FCSO's FAT to Fit Olympic Games In 2011, the small yet determined community of Jefferson County, Mississippi, faced a startling revelation. A local news broadcast on WJTV Channel 12, coupled with an in-depth report from the Clarion Ledger Jackson newspaper, declared Jefferson County as "the fattest county in America." This eye-opening moment became the catalyst for a transformative journey led by the Fayette Community Service Organization (FCSO), spearheaded by Mr. Anthony Edwards and Mrs. Janell Westley-Edwards. A Wake-Up Call and a Vision The news struck a chord with the Edwards, who had recently attended the Global Obesity Summit in Jackson, MS. Inspired by the summit’s call to action and armed with a wealth of knowledge, they returned to Jefferson County with a renewed sense of purpose. They saw the health crisis in their community not as a deterrent but as an opportunity to ignite change and promote a culture of wellness. From Humble Beginnings to Significant Impact The inaugural FAT to Fit Olympic Games began modestly at the community multi-purpose center with just 60 registered participants. The enthusiasm and engagement it garnered were overwhelming, prompting a move to larger venues in subsequent years, including the Jefferson County Elementary School gymnasium and eventually the Davey Whitney HYPER Complex at Alcorn State University. Remarkable Achievements Over the years, FTFOG has achieved remarkable milestones: - Conducted 15,883 free health screenings. - Awarded 1,101 new bicycles. - Distributed approximately $12,100 in cash prizes, health equipment, health gear, and apparel. - Attracted participants from 13 Mississippi counties and six states nationwide. - Engaged four local municipalities as official members of the FAT to Fit Family network, including Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and the City of Vicksburg. Expanding Horizons: Georgia 2024 As FCSO prepares to host the FAT to Fit Olympic Games in Savannah, Georgia, this August, the spirit of community-driven health advocacy remains strong. Janell Westley-Edwards, a beloved health advocate from Savannah, has taken the lead, continuing the legacy of inspiring healthy living and community empowerment. A Call to Action FCSO invites community members, local businesses, and media outlets to join in this transformative journey. The FAT to Fit Olympic Games is more than an event; it is a movement towards a healthier, happier future for all. Together, we can combat childhood obesity and promote wellness in every corner of our communities. **Contact Information** For more information about the FAT to Fit Olympic Games Georgia 2024, or to get involved, please contact: - **Janell Westley-Edwards** - **Email**: [email protected] - **Phone**: 1-601-493-5483 / 1-601-660-3857 Join us in celebrating health, fitness, and community spirit. Let’s make Georgia 2024 an event to remember!

Empowering Through Inclusion: The Transformative Impact of Special Olympics" delves into the profound journey of individuals with intellectual disabilities, showcasing the pivotal role that Special Olympics plays in their lives. This initiative goes beyond sports, serving as a catalyst for positive change, fostering a sense of belonging, and challenging societal norms. Special Olympics is not merely about athletic competition; it is a global movement that recognizes the inherent value and potential of every individual, regardless of intellectual challenges. This program provides year-round sports training, enabling participants to develop physical fitness, resilience, and courage. Through the joy of sports, individuals discover a sense of accomplishment that transcends the limitations often imposed by society. https://lnkd.in/eQH4Tq3w

Transforming Jefferson County: The Birth of FCSO's FAT to Fit Olympic Games In 2011, the small yet determined community of Jefferson County, Mississippi, faced a startling revelation. A local news broadcast on WJTV Channel 12, coupled with an in-depth report from the Clarion Ledger Jackson newspaper, declared Jefferson County as "the fattest county in America." This eye-opening moment became the catalyst for a transformative journey led by the Fayette Community Service Organization (FCSO), spearheaded by Mr. Anthony Edwards and Mrs. Janell Westley-Edwards. A Wake-Up Call and a Vision The news struck a chord with the Edwards, who had recently attended the Global Obesity Summit in Jackson, MS. Inspired by the summit’s call to action and armed with a wealth of knowledge, they returned to Jefferson County with a renewed sense of purpose. They saw the health crisis in their community not as a deterrent but as an opportunity to ignite change and promote a culture of wellness. Remarkable Achievements of the FAT to Fit Olympic Games Over the years, FTFOG has achieved remarkable milestones: - Conducted 15,883 free health screenings. - Awarded 1,101 new bicycles. - Distributed approximately $12,100 in cash prizes, health equipment, health gear, and apparel. - Attracted participants from 13 Mississippi counties and six states nationwide. - Engaged four local municipalities as official members of the FAT to Fit Family network, including Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and the City of Vicksburg. **Expanding Horizons: Georgia 2024** As FCSO prepares to host the FAT to Fit Olympic Games in Savannah, Georgia, this August, the spirit of community-driven health advocacy remains strong. Janell Westley-Edwards, a beloved health advocate from Savannah, has taken the lead, continuing the legacy of inspiring healthy living and community empowerment. **A Call to Action** FCSO invites community members, local businesses, and media outlets to join in this transformative journey. The FAT to Fit Olympic Games is more than an event; it is a movement towards a healthier, happier future for all. Together, we can combat childhood obesity and promote wellness in every corner of our communities. **Contact Information** For more information about the FAT to Fit Olympic Games Georgia 2024, or to get involved, please contact: - **Janell Westley-Edwards** - **Email**: [email protected] - **Phone**: 1-601-493-5483 / 1-601-660-3857 Join us in celebrating health, fitness, and community spirit. Let’s make Georgia 2024 an event to remember! Alexis K. Carolyn Hayden- Garner, CPP, PLP JoAnn Ajayi-Scott Dr Jemma Green FEI Susan Rucker Teri Rouse EdD. Pinky Cole

Me and the fam came out earlier this morning to Take Space - Celebrating the Miracle of Enduring Black Joy. It was an event to recognize the importance of the Black community having the ability to be involved in sports that haven’t always been an inviting space for Black folk; in understanding that we as Black and brown people belong wherever we choose to be, which is everywhere! For me, growing up as a Mexican kid in Southeast SD, marathon and tri was completely unkown to me. It was all about the major sports. So when I started doing endurance sports almost 15 years ago, I would often feel like I was the only brown person rolling up to races. While the SD endurance sports landscape has become more diversified over the years, the lack of diversity with something as simple as running becomes more apparent when traveling to other cities. Props to gen Z because they stand fearless in doing things that aren't typically things that we as Black and Brown people traditionally do. So I’m hopeful at what their future holds within endurance sports. Whether they learned that from our peers that we might’ve seen as different or weird growing up or because of a more welcoming environment in their own lives, it’s something that we can glean from them in getting our fellow gen X and older Millenial peers to understand that we can stretch beyond the norms that were shown to us as kids and that it’s not too late to take better control of our health and wellness and try something different. Events like today are great in seeing all of these dope ambassadors for running and health come together and realize that we’re making an impact in our own families and communities - taking the stigma away and showing the wider world  that we belong. Because while running races and earning some bling is cool and all, at the end of the day, it’s all about being healthy enough to think about tackling these challenges regardless of the distance; regardless of the speed. #kickpush #EnduranceFitnessPerformance #runcoach #tricoach #ultracoach #fitnesscoach #marathoncoach #runningfordiversity #RADrabbit #teamnuun #teamzoot #runningcommunity #SDrunners #BlackHistoryisAmericanHistory #allyship

Non-competitive Sports Day. Yesterday I spent the day at my boys' School for 'Sports Day'. It was, as it has been for the last few years', non-competitive. I can't help but wonder what the effects will be on a generation of children participating in things like non-competitive Sports Days . As a Finance and Leadership Recruiter I think that resilience is key both in the roles I recruit for and in Recruitment itself. I also think competitive sports can play a key role in building resilience. Is it just me or do we need to stop things like non-competitive Sports Days and participation awards? #sportsday #resilience #children

Doing the right thing

One key aspect of The Belonging Playbook is the goal to promote diversity in community sport, and create a more inclusive and welcoming space for participants of many different identities and backgrounds. Learn more by accessing the toolkit online: https://lnkd.in/egag7Xq4

As we step into the New Year, it's a perfect time to reflect on the significance of National Motivation and Inspiration Day (January 2), which holds a special meaning not just in our personal lives but also in the dynamic world of combat sports. Established by motivational speaker Kevin L. McCrudden and recognized by the United States House of Representatives on December 18, 2001 (H.Res.308), this day emerged partly in response to the September 11, 2001, tragedies. It reminds us that the loss and sacrifices of that day can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration in our own journeys. In combat sports, motivation and inspiration are not just abstract concepts; they are the bedrock of an athlete's journey. Every fighter's path is a testament to these values – the early mornings, the rigorous training, the setbacks, and the triumphs. On this National Motivation and Inspiration Day, let's acknowledge the relentless spirit and resilience of these athletes. The Congressional resolution highlights the importance of motivation and inspiration in achieving societal milestones. In combat sports, these elements are critical. Inspiration helps define an athlete's goals – be it winning a title, mastering a technique, or overcoming a personal challenge. Motivation, on the other hand, is the fuel that drives them toward these goals. Together, they lead to success and fulfillment. The beginning of the year is traditionally a time for reflection, planning, and goal-setting, making it an opportune moment to observe this day. For fighters and enthusiasts in the combat sports community, it's a time to set new objectives, overcome previous limitations, and strive for greater heights. Let's use this day to rekindle our aspirations and to fuel our determination. Whether you're a fighter, coach, promoter, or a fan, your role in this ecosystem is vital. Your motivation and inspiration contribute to the larger narrative of success and achievement in combat sports. On this National Motivation and Inspiration Day, let's commit to supporting each other in our endeavors. Let's celebrate the power of our dreams and the strength of our wills. Here's to a year filled with breakthroughs, resilience, and outstanding achievements in the world of combat sports. #NationalMotivationAndInspirationDay #CombatSports #NewYearGoals #AthleteMotivation #SportInspiration