Special Olympics Oklahoma History
Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The first International Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. There are programs in all 50 states and more than 4.4 million athletes in 226 Accredited Special Olympics Programs across more than 170 countries worldwide with 7 regional offices around the world, located in Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe-Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East-North Africa and North America. Special Olympics, Inc. is a non-profit international organization located in Washington, DC.
Oklahoma’s first Special Olympics event was an athletics competition at the University of Tulsa in 1969. In 1972, Special Olympics Oklahoma was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is governed by a state-wide Board of Directors. Special Olympics Oklahoma is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc., for the benefit of citizens with intellectual disabilities. Today, Special Olympics Oklahoma benefits 10,500 individuals and is supported by over 13,000 volunteer coaches and thousands of sponsors, donors and volunteers conducting more than 175 sports competitions and training clinics every year.
Mission Statement
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
The Goal
The goal of Special Olympics is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the opportunity to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected by their families, friends and in their communities.
Benefits
Athletes carry the benefits from their involvement in Special Olympics with them in their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job and in the community. Families are strengthened and the community increases its understanding, acceptance and respect of these individuals.
Our Staff
President & CEO
Adrian DeWendt 918-221-9838
Chief Operating Officer:
Derek Cain 918-221-9843
V.P. of Sports and Training:
John Seals 918-217-8946
Sports and Training Director:
Brittany Dionne 918-221-8644
Finance Director:
Nguyen Nguyen 918-221-5036
Marketing and Communications Director:
Paige Martin 918-221-5047
Development Director:
Grace Simpson 918-221-8288
Special Events Coordinator:
Hayley Winkle 918-271-8632
Program Initiatives Director:
Josie Cox 918-216-9144
Health and Wellness Coordinator:
Talon Rodriguez 918-236-0906
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator:
Maddy Alaluf 918-236-0620
Data Assistant:
Kim Largess 918-221-7104
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Mark Wilmoth, Chairman
Stephen Bolden, Vice Chairman
Scott Moore, Immediate Past Chairman
Jennifer Annis, Secretary
Nicholas Paynter, Treasurer
Jim Scott, Program Representative
Nick Crouch, Development Representative
Adrian DeWendt, Ex Officio
General Board
Dr. Travis Burkett
Randy Braucher
Jim Fisher
Justin Green
Kevin Gwaltney-Testerman (athlete)
Dr. Jennifer Jones
Mike Klehm
Brian Matula
Linda McKown
Brien Mikell
William W. O’Connor
Larry Reece
David Seabolt
Financials
We take our mission very seriously and Special Olympics Oklahoma is proud to be able to return 91% of every dollar back to program services.
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