About Special Friends

What we do? Our coaches have been through certified sport-specific training by Special Olympic Texas trainers. At weekly and/or bi-weekly practices, coaches train athletes on conditioning the body prior to the activity, teach drills to further develop the skills needed for the sport, and instruct the athletes on rules that govern play of the game. Most sports practice about 8 weeks prior to the Area competition provided by Special Olympics Texas, Area 11 (Greater Fort Worth) or Area 10 (Dallas).

Uniforms:
We have graduated from the basic T-shirt with a number on it and a pair of knit shorts, to sport specific uniforms for basketball, track (athletics), cycling, and softball. Bocce athletes use the track uniform for competition. Bowling and volleyball still use our basic blue T-shirt uniform, which is provided by Special Friends. The sport-specific uniforms, as well as the warm-ups, were purchased with the help of sponsors who donated funds for the specific purpose of that uniform purchase. Uniforms are then ordered on an as-needed basis for new or shifting athletes using our general funds.

Who funds us?
We support our athletes participating in Area and State games through funds raised by fund raisers, which our athletes and parents actively participate in. All fund raisers must be approved by Area 11 Special Olympics Texas. All funds received by Special Friends are deposited in an account maintained by Special Olympics Texas in Austin. We do not receive ANY funding from Special Olympics Texas. We provide equipment for each sport, pay for State entry fees, $25 per athlete, as well as supply every state participant with lunch and dinner each day of competition. Eight of our sports incur minimal expenses to operate, as HEBISD donates gym space for us to use for volleyball and basketball. Bowling does have a cost per game, per athlete, and that is covered by Special Friends funds. Some venues have someone who will "sponsor" the lunch for the athletes participating at Area competitions. Anyone interested in contributing in this way should contact either Ami Eglintine or Coach Vickie Scire. Also, if a parent/guardian knows of a corporate company or business that would be interested in making a contribution to Special Friends, please contact Ami or Vickie to get this type of contribution set up.

Donations
Donations may be made payable to "SOTX, FBO Special Friends" and mailed to Special Friends, 3020 Bramble Oaks Ct., Bedford, TX 76021. Special Olympics Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.