Special Olympics

Each year the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council makes donations to Special Olympics in each jurisdiction. The amount of the donation is directly tied to the participation in Special Olympics by the local councils, not only the amount they donate, but also the number of volunteer hours given to Special Olympics throughout the year.

The check is normally presented during the banquet at the state convention each year. Due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, this year we did not have a banquet. State Deputy Cameron Peck presented the check to Special Olympics Kentucky Communications Director, and brother knight, Mark Buerger. This year’s check was $1,150. This is a 21% increase over last year’s check which demonstrates that our local councils are helping Special Olympics in a big way.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Special Olympics of Kentucky is unable to hold the Summer Games for the Special Olympics athletes this year. On June 5th at 6:30 pm (EDT), SOKY will be posting a video presentation that they hope will capture everything that makes Summer Games weekend so special. They will post it to their Facebook page and on their YouTube channel.

SOKY has a campaign running named 2020 Salute to Summer Games running until June 5th and Kentucky’s Knights want to continue our strong tradition of helping Special Olympics in this time of need. Below are two tables showing how our knights’ councils are doing their part to help. Thank you all for carrying on the strong partnership with Special Olympics.

On May 20th, State Deputy Cameron Peck challenged all the councils in Kentucky to donate 50 cents per council member to Special Olympics during this campaign. Thanks to the councils listed below for doing their part.

On February 15 the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics came to Lee’s Ford Marina in Nancy, KY. The temperatures dropped just for this weekend, as the plunge temps were at 27 degrees air temperature and the water was a soothing 44 degrees. Many teams and individuals participated, and the event raised over $10,000. Troy Anderson, our Field Agent for South Central Kentucky and representing Council 16232 in Scottsville, participated and was able to raise over $1000 thanks to many individuals, as well as Councils. Thanks to the following donors:

Individual:

Daniel Schachle, Pauline Anderson, and Vickie Long

Councils:

Mt. Washington, Brandenburg, Scottsville, Glasgow, Campbellsville, Lebanon, Bardstown, and Vine Grove

Christ the King Council #14130 in Lexington presented a $1,750 check to Special Olympics of Kentucky from the proceeds of their Tootsie Roll Drive.