Henry County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics athletes are teaming up with Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) and bringing awareness to the community. The Spread the Word Campaign includes respect, inclusion, and connection. During the past year Henry Special Olympics have seen the harmful effects of isolation and exclusion as a whole in the community. March 3 has been designated the official day of Spread the Word: Inclusion. This year’s theme is “Connection.” Connection is not only defined as a relationship, but also strength between all individuals with or without intellectual disabilities. We all need to be seen, heard, and valued to feel included. 

  Henry County Parks and Recreation will have a banner hanging at the Locust Grove Recreation Center from now through the end of March. They are inviting members of the community to sign the banner and have their pictures taken as they make the pledge. This includes all family members and friends who want to show support. At the event they will also have packets for athletes to pick up, get at least 10 others to sign the pledge, and bring back to us. If they cannot come into the building, their names will be written on the banner to make it official.

  The following came from the Special Olympics of Georgia website: 

  “Please help us make a difference in the World by helping others to understand the needs of our community so we can continue to make it a better future for us all.  Inclusion and connection will bring all of us together. Together we have the power and determination to ensure no one is forgotten during this critical time around the world. I pledge to look for the lonely, the isolated, the left out, the challenged and the bullied. I pledge to overcome the fear of difference and replace it with the power of inclusion.”

The Locust Grove Recreation Center is located at 10 Cleveland Street, Locust Grove, GA 30248