Breakfast with Champions

We had a blast a few weeks ago at the Breakfast of Champions in San Antonio. The morning began with the Honor Guard presented by the Knights of Columbus along with the LETR and athlete precession. One of our athletes, Scott Mena, did a beautiful job singing the National Anthem before Chaplain Marco Mendoza gave an invocation to the breakfast. Matt Bonner, NBA broadcast analyst for Fox Sports Southwest and former San Antonio Spurs player, gave a warm welcome to the attendees and continued on to emcee the breakfast.
 

The Honor Guard Presented by the Knights of Columbus

Chief Joseph Salvaggio with the Leon Valley PD

Chief Salvaggio represented the Law Enforcement Torch Run

Marco Mendoza, Chaplain at Westover Hills Assemblies of God

Mendoza led us in the invocation
 

Matt Bonner, former Spurs player and current Fox Sports Southwest Broadcaster
Bonner was the emcee for the breakfast
 

Gordon Hartman, founder of Morgan’s Wonderland

Gordon expressed gratitude to the Special Olympics for choosing Morgan’s Wonderland to be the site of the Summer Olympic Games.

Gordon Hartman, founder of Morgan’s Wonderland

Gordon expressed gratitude to the Special Olympics for choosing Morgan’s Wonderland to be the site of the Summer Olympic Games.

Janet Holliday, long time supporter of the Special Olympics

Janet has been passionate about the Special Olympics for decades, and she has made it her mission to be an encourager to anything and everything Special Olympics. Her presence at this breakfast was no exception.

We were lucky to have Gordon Hartman, president of Morgan’s Wonderland, speak on behalf of the park on how excited they all are to host the Summer Olympic games at Morgan’s Wonderland. Tim Martin, president and CEO for the Special Olympics Texas, inspired us by passing out the brochure of the very first Special Olympics Summer Games and explaining the history behind the first Summer Special Olympic Games.

James Ramirez and Jackson Escamilla, Unified Athletes

These two boys spoke on how they are working to push others in their high school towards inclusion of all people with and without disabilities

Shirley Johnson, Special Olympics Parent and Coach

Shirley spoke on behalf of her son whose life has been transformed by the Special Olympics

Bryan Perez, Special Olympics Athlete for over 33 years

Three athletes from Special Olympics Texas came to the breakfast to speak on behalf of each of their unique experiences with the Special Olympics. First, one of our athletes, James Ramirez, and his unified partner, Jackson Escamilla, spoke about the important of unifying people with and without intellectual and physical disabilities within schools. The way these two told their story to make a point of the unification of athletes was inspiring. After the two boys spoke, Shirley Johnson, a Special Olympics parent and coach, spoke on behalf of how her son’s life was transformed by being able to participate in the Special Olympics Texas. Lastly, the breakfast ended with Bryan Perez speaking about his 33 years of competing in the Special Olympics. Bryan has traveled to many different places to compete and has even been to Greece to compete in the Special Olympics World games, and came back with a gold medal. Bryan ended his speech with “as long as I am physically able, I will forever be involved with the Special Olympics."

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We could not support our athletes with the gift of sports without the help of our donors and celebrity guests that have been so on board with our mission. Thank you to all who have supported Special Olympics Texas in any way, shape or form! You are making a huge difference in the lives of people with intellectual or physical disabilities.
 

Photographs Courtesy of Travis with Corpus Christi PD