February 16, 2009 - Flowers in Bloom Campaign - Although the weather isn’t warm enough for flowers, it is certainly a great time to start thinking about your flower and seed needs!

The Special Olympics FLOWERS IN BLOOM CAMPAIGN is on now until March 6th with funds raised going directly to Special Olympics PEI programs happening across PEI.

Here are two ways you can help Special Olympics PEI and get your garden started.

1) Click here to view the complete Vesey's Spring Bulb fundraising catalogue for the Flowers in Bloom Campaign in support of Special Olympics PEI. Once you’ve chosen your bulbs and seeds, call or email the Special Olympics office at 368-8919/1-800-287-1196 or tracey@sopei.com to place your order.

2) Do you have family and friends who are avid gardeners? Why not take a fundraising catalogue and ask your family and friends to buy bulbs and seeds from the Flowers in Bloom Campaign! Bulbs and seeds range from $10 - $15 with a 100% satisfaction guarantee from Vesey’s Seeds. There is no minimum amount you need to sell; any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Money raised will go to SOPEI programs happening year round across PEI.

Special Olympics Community Council volunteers are coordinating the Flowers in Bloom Campaign to raise money for Special Olympics PEI. If you haven’t been able to catch up with your community council coordinator, you still have time! Email your local coordinator to arrange pick up of your fundraising catalogue.

Your Community Council Volunteer is:

Please Note: Attached is the fundraising catalogue that your coordinator will give you. If you’re not able to get out and about to show your fundraising catalogue to your contacts, you can email them the attached document and they can order through email! (You’ll have to collect their money before you submit the order to you community coordinator on March 6).

February 13th, 2009 - Islander has Triple Medal Finish at World Games - Special Olympics PEI athlete and Stratford native, Michael Morris(pictured above) had a triple medal finish at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.

Wearing bib number 237 at the Nordic Ski venue in Sun Valley, Idaho, Michael raced to the finish line winning two bronze medals (4x100m relay, 500m), silver medal (1 km) and many great memories from the games.

Michael’s mother, Judy MacDonald was able to be in Boise to witness his great accomplishments. “Michael is so happy and now ready to go home. It is so beautiful here. This is a great experience not like Japan but wonderful in its own right. We are both so pleased - me for him and him because he loves to get medals.”

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games attracted more than 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries for a week filled with world-class competition and events. These games were the largest multi-day winter sporting event ever held in Idaho.

As the games come to a close on February 13 and as per tradition, the Closing Ceremony is cast in an even more celebratory mode, rejoicing in the triumph of the Games and the friendships kindled in Idaho. Closing Ceremony’s protocol includes the passing of the Special Olympics flag to the host of the next Special Olympics World Games, Athens, Greece. And with the extinguishing of the Idaho cauldron, the stage will be set for a party that the athletes themselves will never forget filled with music, dancing, color, excitement, friendship, acceptance and good will - all in the true spirit of the Special Olympics movement.

If you or someone you know would like more information about how to BE A FAN of Special Olympics PEI, please contact Charity Sheehan at 902-368-8919 or via e-mail at csheehan@sopei.com