Special Olympics Texas Receives Blue ImpactSM Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Special Olympics Texas Receives Blue ImpactSM Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Award will fund the Healthy Athletes Program in the North and South Regions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : August 08, 2023

San Antonio, Texas, August 4, 2023, Special Olympics Texas announced today it received a Blue ImpactSM grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), an award reflecting BCBSTX's dedication to community-based organizations that prioritize the well-being of children and families.

The grant recognizes the crucial role of local organizations in fostering positive change, tackling underlying factors that influence health, including socio-economic challenges, and promoting economic opportunities.

Special Olympics Texas is a year-round movement, holding more than 300 competitions annually on area, regional and state levels. Event divisions are based on age, gender and ability level to give athletes an equal chance to win. Each participant receives a medal or ribbon following their events. 

Health programming is an important part of the Special Olympics movement. Healthy Athletes is a Special Olympics program that provides free health screenings in a fun, welcoming environment that removes the anxiety and trepidation people with intellectual disabilities often experience when faced with a visit to a doctor or dentist. The Healthy Athletes program has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.

The Blue Impact grant program replaces Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grants and better reflects BCBSTX’s enhanced focus to support optimal health outcomes for all Texans. 

Since its launch in early 2023, BCBSTX has allocated $2.93 million to community-based organizations, underscoring the company’s commitment to promoting comprehensive wellness across the state. 

“These grants facilitate healthier futures for children and families in Texas,” said Sheena Payne, BCBSTX’s director of Community Investments. “We’re committed to sustainable solutions with community partners to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most and to lay the groundwork for economic empowerment.”

The newly re-named Blue Impact program has awarded nearly $23 million since its inception, and this year is expected to impact nearly 4 million children and adults in Texas. 

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
 

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.