Project Description

I am a 19 year old college freshman currently attending Alma College. I am an International Business Major and a Pre-Law Student.
My project relates to the Special Olympic Basketball Program. This year when I got to college, I got involved with the Area 7 district. We had a successful year with 2 teams from Gratiot County. Our varsity team even won the regional championship in March.
My proposed service project is related to the JV team. Our JV team is comprised mostly of children under the age of sixteen with cognitive impairments. We have several children who are deaf and several others with autism or down syndrome.
The JV team needs a confidence boost. Unlike their varsity teammates, the JV team has not had a successful year. The JV team did not get new uniforms (the varsity did) new bags or new basketballs. They did not seem excited at receiving jerseys the varsity team had used for over seven years with the tough Michigan economy, important funding like this is just not possible.
This program is very beneficial to the athletes. Not only do they get much needed exercise, they develop valuable teamwork and social skills. They learn how to think critically and develop motor skills. These children need encouragement and need to be part of a developed team.
The grant would be instrumental in developing the program for the upcoming season. I am interested in purchasing coaching materials so that I can more effectively instruct my athletes. I would also like to purchase 8 new women's basketballs and new uniforms. We are doing several fundraising in order to meet or goals for next season. We have set up pop can collection funds (10 cents a can in MI) around the campus and have raised sixty dollars from that. We also get donations from local businesses, but they are normally itemized donations (bottled water, ball bags, gas money) and do not contribute to the general fundraising pool. Any help would be very much appreciated. My athletes are so gracious and helping, coaching them is one of the most rewarding this I have ever done.

visit somi.org to learn about the special olympics program in Michigan.