Special Olympics Broward County

The mission of Special Olympics Broward County is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Special Olympics Broward County provides sports training and Olympic-style competition to almost 600 athletes with  intellectual disabilities in 22 sports through the support of over 40 training programs throughout the county.  All athletes 8 years or older, no matter what your ability level, can benefit from Special Olympics. And no matter what your interest, there is a sport for you. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics.

The ultimate objective of Special Olympics Broward County is to help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BROWARD COUNTY

2008-2009 AWARDS DINNER

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009

INVERRARY COUNTRY CLUB

AWARD WINNERS

THE DON TAFT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Deborah Klein

COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Ann Scharf

FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD

Leonardo Family

THE PINION, INC. LOCAL ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

Florida Special Arts Center

THE MELVIN ZAREFSKY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Tom Warmington

YOUTH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Garrett Robinson

HONORARY BOARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Lorraine Thomas

MEDIA ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

Sun Sentinel

THE TIMOTHY GILLETTE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN AWARD

Robert Logan

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BROWARD COUNTY HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Larnie Killen

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY MAKES MAJOR GIFT ANNOUNCEMENT, NAMES UNIVERSITY CENTER

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) announced today the naming of its 366,000 square-foot University Center in honor of businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Don Taft in recognition of a gift from The Taft Foundation. NSU President Ray Ferrero Jr., J.D., made the announcement during homecoming ceremonies Wednesday evening.

"We are deeply gratified that the Taft Foundation has honored NSU with this gift. Don Taft joins a number of distinguished citizens, philanthropists and organizations who all share a common belief in NSU," Ferrero said.

"I am thrilled to have my name associated with such an outstanding university. I am pleased and proud that the Foundation's gift will also be used to benefit an organization I hold dear, the Special Olympics Broward County," Taft said.

A state-of-the-art facility, the Don Taft University Center contains the University Center Arena, home to NSU's NCAA Division II athletic teams, the University Student Union, and a wellness and fitness center. The Center also houses the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences' Performing and Visual Arts departments and performance venues.

"This outstanding gift, one of the largest ever made to Nova Southeastern University, comes at a time that will serve as an inspiration to philanthropists and others who choose to support our great university," said Joanne Ferchland-Parella, vice president of institutional advancement.

Proceeds from the Foundation's gift will be used to construct an addition to the Noel P. Brown Sports Center, located on the grounds of NSU's K-12 University School. Activities of the Special Olympics Broward County will be held in the Sports Center.

"On behalf of our Special Olympic athletes, we are honored that the Taft Foundation has helped our dreams come true in building a permanent home for our athletes. This extraordinary gift will provide our athletes with resources that will enable them to be the very best they can be," said Paul Sallarulo, chairman of Special Olympics Broward County and member of the NSU Board of Trustees.

The Don Taft Special Olympics Broward County Program at Nova Southeastern University will be moving in July 2009. We look forward to a great partnership.