President’s Message – Winter 2013-2014

In June of 2014, New Jersey will reveal America’s Champions at a historic, life and perception-changing event.  From June 14-21, New Jersey will host the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games where more than 3,500 athletes from around the country will compete in 16 sports before tens of thousands of fans and volunteers.
Every four years Special Olympics conducts National Summer Games in the United States that includes athletes from all 52 US Programs. In 2011, New Jersey was chosen as the host for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, the most dynamic, innovative and largest national Games to date.  While the 2014 USA Games will highlight competition, it is the special events including ,Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the athlete events and educational programs throughout the week that will create an experience of a lifetime for all athletes, families and volunteers in attendance. The potential reach of these Games will help lead to a change in understanding and acceptance of persons with intellectual disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey as well as the United States. An integral part of these games are the Law Enforcement torch run for Special Olympics and the law enforcement officers that assist in the Special Olympics Games. Each year members of the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey join their police colleagues to volunteer at the Summer and Winter Games. Since New Jersey will host the USA National Games, more law enforcement support than ever will be needed. I would like our
organization to rise to the challenge more than ever. Our own Executive Board member Chief Robert Belfiore (ret.) serves as the State Director of the Law Enforcement Torch
Run. In this capacity, Chief Belfiore and the State Committee has raised more than $2.7million dollars for Special Olympics New Jersey making our state number one in the world for fund raising!
Please consider volunteering at these games along with fellow law enforcement officers from throughout New Jersey.
There is nothing better than to see the look on the faces of these special athletes when law enforcement officers are on hand to encourage them at these games. Let’s show the nation how New Jersey is a model for law enforcement by joining us in this games. Please feel
free to contact Chief Belfiore or myself through the website for additional information. I look forward to your participation in the coming year.

Fraternally yours,
William Schievella,
President