January 20, 2007

Special Olympics group needs donations, volunteers for '09 games

As the date for Idaho's largest single event creeps up, organizers are looking for millions of dollars in donations and thousands of volunteers.

In 2006, the International Special Olympics organization named Idaho as host for the 2009 World Winter Games, beating out bids from Reno/Tahoe, Nev., Germany and Austria.

But the international oversight body also set out lofty goals and benchmarks that locals must meet to keep the games.

Progress is being made, but there is a long way to go, said Gary Hunter, chief executive officer for the 2009 Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho.

"There are several million things to do," Hunter said.

The group's most significant benchmarks are financial.

By May 31, local organizers must show cash or pledges totalling $5 million. Ultimately, the national Special Olympics organization is requiring Idaho to collect at least $20 million to host the world winter games.

In addition to the cash, the group must find 6,000 volunteers for the world winter games.

Now organizers are going back to Idaho businesses, organizations and individuals who already have pledged financial help. Then Hunter said he would start reaching out across the country, and then the world.

"The organization is looking for affordable office space in Downtown Boise near Boise State University," Hunter said.

Then, Hunter said, he needs to hire 15 to 16 employees by Spring or early Summer.

"We will begin to add to that number in the next two years," he said. Ultimately, he plans to have about 75 employees.

The Idaho group must organize an invitational games to test its systems in January and February of 2008. They will be inviting 500 athletes from 25 countries.

For the world winter games in 2009, Idaho will host about 3,000 athletes from 85 countries.

"We have a great deal of fundraising to do and milestones to make before the '09 games," Hunter said. "We have quite a challenge."

The challenge is a bit easier now, Hunter said, due to the national attention Boise has received since the Boise State University Bronco's Fiesta Bowl win. The local organizing group has partnered with BSU.

"Thank goodness for the Boise State Broncos. They opened a door, and we intend to jump through it," Hunter said.

Next steps include a personal giving campaign, a corporate sponsorship campaign, building up staff levels and promoting the event.

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games are expected to draw worldwide attention to Idaho and could pump an estimated $45 million into the economy, organizers said.

Thousands of athletes from 100 countries, coaches, families and volunteers will converge on Idaho for 11 days in February 2009, making this the state's largest-ever single event, organizers say.

The winter games will be staged in Boise and Tamarack Resort. Opening ceremonies will be in Boise State University's Bronco Stadium. Alpine and cross-country skiing competitions will be staged at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly. Qwest Arena will host figure skating competitions.

Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Today, more than 2 million athletes in more than 150 countries train and compete in 30 Olympic-type sports, ranging from skiing to sailing.

By  reporter Kathleen Kreller at kkreller@idahostatesman.com or 377-6418.  Idaho Statesman 01/20/07