The American Chamber of Commerce Charity 2012
The American Chamber of Commerce selects one Charity to support annually, initially with a donation given by the chamber on behalf of each attendee at the Presidents Lunch in February and then through controlled communication with the members during the course of the year. In 2012 the chosen Charity is Special Olympics Ireland.
Dear Member,
Special Olympics Ireland gives people with an intellectual disability a real opportunity to achieve in life, through a range of sporting, social and community based activities which generates enormous health, educational and social inclusion benefits. Apart from the obvious benefits of leading a more active and healthy lifestyle, involvement in Special Olympics gives people with an intellectual disability the confidence and skills to be the best they can be.
There are more than 42,000 adults and children with an intellectual disability on the island of Ireland, with approximately 11,000 (26%) of them participating in over 400 community based Special Olympics clubs in Ireland. Our programmes are supported by a network of over 25,000 volunteers.
We are delighted to have been chosen as the official charity partner of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland in 2012. We are really excited to be part of such a prestigious network of businesses and organisations that do so much to enhance Ireland's economic standing. However the contribution of these organisations is so much greater than economics. I know that many play a significant role in transforming communities through their corporate social responsibility programmes. Special Olympics plays a similar role in communities all over Ireland, enhancing the lives of people with an intellectual disability.
There are many ways in which members can get involved with Special Olympics Ireland during 2012 and beyond. We will be communicating with members regularly throughout the year outlining ways that you and your colleagues can get involved. Our most noteworthy annual fundraising campaign is the all Ireland collection day which will be taking place on Thursday 27th April 2012. This is the biggest annual fundraising event in aid of Special Olympics and the aim is to raise €1 million in one day. In order to achieve this goal we need thousands of volunteers to take to the streets on the day. We would be hopeful that you could either provide a collection point within your workplace or allow staff members to be part of this day and help us raise much needed funds.
Through our partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland we hope to develop meaningful relationships which will further enhance the lives of people with an intellectual disability in communities throughout Ireland.
Please do not hesitate in contacting our Special Olympics Ireland / American Chamber of Commerce liaison Mark Hughes by emailing mark.hughes@specialolympics.ie or by calling 01-8691634 to discuss ways you get involved throughout 2012.
Yours sincerely,
Matt English
CEO