My friends,

I need your help.

I am raising funds for my Special Olympics East Valley Golf program. We have 28 Special Olympics golfers that have a passion for playing golf. Each athlete plays on a team, typically with a parent or good friend, year round at many challenging courses in Arizona. This year we will be playing at Sun City CC, Omni National in Tucson, Antelope Hills in Prescott, Longbow in Mesa, Oak Creek CC in Sedona, Augusta Ranch in Mesa, and the Arizona Golf Resort in Mesa. All of the funds raised will go to support this special year round golf program. These funds also enable us to participate in the Special Olympics National Invitational Golf Tournament if we are lucky enough to be selected. The National Tournament is 3 days and, like the PGA, we cannot use golf carts. So it can be very challenging.

I have been competing in Special Olympics for 8 years, 4 years in Arizona and 4 years in Wisconsin. I have competed in golf, floor hockey, track, swimming, bowling, flag football, volleyball, speed skating, bocce ball, basketball, and tennis and have won tons of medals. I competed for Team Arizona at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey and won a gold medal and two silver medals in track and field. I also competed for Team Arizona at the Unified national volleyball invitational in 2013 in Kentucky where our team took the silver medal. Special Olympics has given me the chance to travel the country. Special Olympics has also taught me how to be a leader in my community, I am an athlete, coach, as well as a member of the athlete input council and a global messenger.

How can you help?

The Thunderbirds have given us a great opportunity to raise funds by matching all donations by an additional 10%. One hundred percent of the funds stay in our Special Olympics golf program and enable us to continue to play golf and improve our game. Your help comes from sponsoring me for $.01, $.02, $.03 or more per birdie. If you would like to write a check, please make payable to Thunderbird Charities and mail it to Special Olympics Arizona 2100 S 75th Ave Phoenix AZ 85043 attention Mary.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Carla