Competitors in the state games will have to pay a $35 fee.
While athletes train for the first Special Olympics USA National Games, Special Olympics Missouri faces a $300,000 budget deficit, the worst shortfall in the organization’s 35-year history.
Revenue from business telemarketing throughout the state brought in $200,000 less than previous years, said Mark Musso, president and CEO of Special Olympics Missouri.
Musso said he thinks the deficit was because businesses diverted their charitable givings to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, not because people stopped giving.
“We thought the reaction to diverting funds to Hurricane Katrina was absolutely appropriate. We did it ourselves,” said Musso, referring to $6,000 raised among the 29 Special Olympics Missouri staff members.
“We hope it is a one-time reaction to this natural disaster,” said Musso. “I am hopeful the businesses in Missouri will realize our needs are ongoing.”
One fundraising event in Sedalia — a fire truck pull — had only two sponsored teams in 2005.
“It has been a struggle,” said Diane Brimer, central area director of Special Olympics Missouri. “Some of the fundraising events we have had in the past that have been really strong came in really weak.”
Despite the shortfall, Special Olympics Missouri and the central area do not plan to reduce staff or programs.
To defray some of its costs, Special Olympics Missouri reinstated a $35 fee for state-level competitions, such as the State Summer Games, which have been held at MU since 2003. Local competitions have no fees.
This year, the Summer State Games will be held May 24-26. There are six state-level events, requiring the $35 registration fee, and about 3,000 athletes competing in them.
In 2005, Special Olympics Missouri grew to 14,178 athletes who played 19 sports in 163 competitions throughout the state.
During basketball practice at New Haven Elementary this week, athletes and parents said they intend to compete at the state level even though it will cost more. Some plan to pay the extra cost, while others have found sponsorships in the local community.
Allen Purvis, of Columbia, has five children who compete at the state level.
“It may take effect. I don’t know,” said Purvis of the $35 fee. “My money is good now.”
Purvis is determined for his kids to continue competing and said a bond unites athletes’ families.
Jim LaRue used to donate to various charities through his business, the Ice Chalet Antique Mall in Columbia. He started coaching Special Olympics basketball three years ago and began sponsoring his basketball team this year, the Tigers.
Beth Brokamp, 34, has played Special Olympics sports since she was 14. During basketball practice, she proudly recited the events she will be competing in at the national games, “standing long jump, 100 meter dash and softball throw,” before hurriedly returning to join pre-practice stretching.
Brokamp works for University Hospital and will pay her own fees to compete in state-level events this year. In April 2005, she and 12 other athletes traveled to Washington to speak with members of the House Appropriations Committee, asking for funding for the Special Olympics.
Twenty-six athletes from the central area were selected to represent Team Missouri in the first Special Olympics USA National Games July 2-7 in Ames, Iowa.
James Kindred, who plays basketball for Team Missouri, is one of those athletes.
“I have been wanting to go to something like this, whether it be for Special Olympics or to win a championship, for as long as I have been alive and as long as I have been playing ball,” said Kindred. “Ames, here we come.”