Special Olympics Maine State Office

The mission of Special Olympics Maine is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, and to demonstrate friendship with other Special Olympics athletes, their families, and the community.

Description:
Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with special mental and physical limitations.

Special Olympics believes that consistent training is essential to the development of sport skills, and that competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress, and providing incentives for personal growth.

Special Olympics believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, families are strengthened, and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance.

History:
Special Olympics Maine was founded in 1968, by Melvin (Mickey) Boutilier, a special education teacher in Gorham, when he took a team of athletes to the very first Special Olympics World Games at Soldier's Field in Chicago, hosted by Special Olympics, Inc.'s founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Contact person: Linda Fredericks, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (207) 879-0672

Address:

125 John Roberts Rd #19 South Portland, ME 04106 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.specialolympicsmaine.org

Directions:

Follow road that goes behind and around the Maine Mall - turn onto John Roberts Road - take a right into driveway of Maine Mall Business Bldg - drive around back to unit #19.   Nearest Bus Stop: Maine Mall, 10 min minute walk

Last updated on June 24, 2009