#GivingTuesday

November 28, 2017 Rachel McQuiston

On this Giving Tuesday, please help more than 3,000 athletes selected to compete at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games by joining the 2018 Club.

When the athletes and coaches arrive in Seattle next summer, all of their expenses are covered by the USA Games. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will play a pivotal role in allowing them to focus on competing at their highest level, while enjoying the experience of a lifetime. Plus, members of the 2018 Club receive great benefits and VIP access to key USA Games events.

To donate, click here.

#ImAGameChanger - Stacy Gillett

November 22, 2017 Rachel McQuiston

BY: USA GAMES CORRESPONDENT, MIKE GASTINEAU

Stacy Gillett is the Executive Director of The Arc of King County and as such oversees an organization dedicated to serving all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifespan. It’s the latest stop in Gillett’s 30-year career in disability rights work.

After college, Gillett started her career with the Disability Law Center of Alaska. For eight years, she traveled the tundra of the Last Frontier to various cities, towns, and villages doing special education work and making sure kids got into school and were properly taught.

She then spent 20 years with Seattle’s Dussault Law Group as an advocate where she worked with families who felt their children weren’t being treated properly at school. She also worked with an attorney who created new special education statutes in Washington state.

2018 USA Games Fundraiser at Teatro ZinZanni

November 17, 2017 Rachel McQuiston

On November 16, Teatro ZinZanni’s famous spiegeltent was the site of a special fundraiser performance of “Love, Chaos & Dinner” to benefit the 2018 USA Games. All eyes were on the center ring as guests dined on award-winning regional American cuisine from Chef Jason Wilson and reveled with USA Games Ambassadors Taylor Graham, Steve Largent, Gary Payton, Ray Roberts, Dan Wilson, Jim Zorn and more. Other evening highlights included a live auction featuring ultimate fan experiences from the Seahawks and the Sounders FC, as well as a Fender Duff McKagan Signature bass guitar signed by Guns N’ Roses.

Photos by: Rod Mar

Amazon to Sponsor The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Closing Ceremony

November 16, 2017 Rachel McQuiston

Amazon lends support for largest sporting event to hit Seattle in more than 25 years

SEATTLE – Nov. 16, 2017 – The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Organizing Committee announced today that Amazon will be presenting sponsor of the 2018 USA Games Closing Ceremony (www.specialolympicsusagames.org) in the company’s hometown of Seattle. In July 2018, more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes, coaches and representatives from across the U.S., along with tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will gather in Seattle for six days of national-caliber competition in 14 individual and team sports.

The 2018 USA Games kick off with the Opening Ceremony at Husky Stadium on Sunday, July 1, and culminate on Friday, July 6, with the Closing Ceremony presented by Amazon. The Closing Ceremony will be held at the iconic Lake Union Park in Seattle and will be free and open to the public.

“We are excited to partner with the Special Olympics USA Games and welcome more than 4,000 athletes and coaches to South Lake Union,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO Amazon Worldwide Consumer. “Special Olympics embraces diversity and inclusion – values that Amazon shares. It’s an honor to support the USA Games, athletes, coaches and families who have traveled from all over the country to compete in Seattle.”