Governor Gianforte Meets Special Olympics Athletes

Governor’s Ninth Day of Giving Spotlights the Work of Special Olympics Montana

• December 13 2022

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Marking the ninth day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte today promoted the work of Special Olympics Montana, meeting with athletes and volunteers at the organization’s headquarters in Great Falls.

“It was a joy to continue our 12 Days of Giving with volunteers and athletes at Special Olympics Montana,” Governor Gianforte said. “After 50 years of service, Special Olympics Montana continues to make a positive impact on Montana athletes, their families, and our communities, and I’m proud to highlight their work as part of this campaign.”

Gov. Gianforte visits with Special Olympics volunteers, athletes, and staff in Great Falls

Special Olympics Montana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities in a variety of Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

“We use sports as a platform to bring communities together,” said Rhonda McCarty, executive director of Special Olympics Montana. “When we bring communities together, we bring our athletes with disabilities into the mainstream of the community, we bring a whole host of volunteers to support them in that endeavor, and none of that is possible without our sponsors or families.”

Serving Montana for over 50 years, Special Olympics Montana is an athlete-centered, family-based, volunteer-driven, and sponsor-supported movement with 2,000 athletes registered in 121 programs from 65 Montana communities. Nearly 4,000 Montana volunteers help organize and host local, area, and state level competitions.

“When you’re part of it, and it’s done well and done successfully, there’s no better feeling because everyone’s winning, and ultimately, your community is a much stronger community,” McCarty continued.

Montanans can learn more about how to give to Special Olympics Montana at www.somt.org/ways-to-give/.

Running through mid-December, the governor’s 12 Days of Giving will highlight the work of a dozen organizations serving Montanans in need.

• On the 1^st Day of Giving, the governor visited the Butte Rescue Mission and served lunch to Montanans struggling with food insecurity.
• On the 2^nd Day of Giving, the governor launched the second annual canned food drive among state agencies and encouraged Montanans to give to the Montana Food Bank Network or their local food bank.
• On the 3^rd Day of Giving, the governor encouraged Montanans to support Montana veterans through the Veterans Navigation Network.
• On the 4^th Day of Giving, the governor encouraged Montanans to donate a new, unwrapped toy to a Toys for Tots campaign in their community.
• On the 5^th Day of Giving, the governor promoted blood donation through the American Red Cross of Montana and encouraged eligible Montanans to donate blood.
• On the 6^th Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to Youth Empowerment Services (YES!) in Anaconda.
• On the 7^th Day of Giving, the governor encouraged Montanans to give back to our firefighting workforce through the Montana Firefighter Fund.
• On the 8^th Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to Child Bridge.
• On the 9^th Day of Giving, the governor promoted the work of Special Olympics Montana and encouraged Montanans to support their mission.

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