Make the Point is a collaborative effort between Special Olympics Virginia, a life enrichment program through sport for persons with intellectual disabilities, and public and private schools across Virginia.

Special Olympics Virginia is proud to partner private schools, elementary and middle schools, organizations, PTA’s, and members of the Virginia High School league to offer this exciting program. This is an innovative way to support Special Olympics Virginia, raise money for your school, and promote volunteerism all in one program. Special Olympics Virginia uses the funds raised to scholarship athletes from your community to Special Olympics Virginia State Championships. The remaining 50% you raise stay to support your school.

How do I as an individual do Make the Point?

1. Set a fundraising goal. You decide your goal. A $50 dollar minimum is a great goal for each participant.

2. Recruit sponsors to help you meet your fundraising goal. Ex: 1 sponsor pledges a flat fee of $5 or $10 for the participant's participation; or 1 sponsor pledges $.50 for each free throw taken.

3. Collect pledges from your sponsors prior to the Make the Point event at your school.

4. Do your Make the Point Event and have a great volunteer experience. The Make the Point Event can be done when it is convenient for you to do it.

5. Shoot your free throws at the Make the Point Event and have a great volunteer experience.

The Make the Point Manual will present several sports models to help Make the Point Coordinators come up with the Make the Point event that best fits your group’s needs. It includes suggested timelines and organizational schemes in order to accomplish the most successful event possible for your group and for Special Olympics Virginia athletes across the state.

Forms You will Need to do Make the Point

VHSL Member Schools:These forms are intended for the administrators, coaches, club sponsors or the Make the Point Coordinators. Only one Intent to Participate Form needs to be filled out per organization. The Summary Form should be sent in with a copy of the pledge sheets and the Special Olympics Virginia portion of the funds raised. The Make the Point Sponsor Sheet and the VHSL Sponsor Sheet Introductory Letter should be used by each participant to collect and record their pledges for the Make the Point event. These forms can be copied as much as needed for the number of participants.

ALL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: These forms are intended for the administrators, coaches, club sponsors or the Make the Point Coordinators. Only one Intent to Participate Form needs to be filled out per organization. The Summary Form should be sent in with a copy of the pledge sheets and the Special Olympics Virginia portion of the funds raised. The Organizations Sponsor sheet and Organization Sponsor Sheet Introductory Letter should be used by each participant to collect and record their pledges for the Make the Point event. These forms can be copied as much as needed for the number of participants.

For more information call 1-800-932-GOLD (4653) and contact David Pawlowski at extension 23.