Dear Athletes. . .
One of my duties as chairman of the Maryland Senior Olympics Committee is to keep you informed about the status of our state games. Some of you may have heard that Montgomery County Government has rescinded the $50,000 previously allocated to our Maryland Senior Olympics from its current 2010 budget and, further, they are not budgeting funds for MSO in the 2011 fiscal year.

The Maryland Senior Olympics Committee members are working on the following questions:

* How Will This Year’s Games Be Affected?
At present time, MSOC believes there are enough funds for this year’s games. But for the impending future, MSO will have to be fully funded by the athletes and sponsors.

* How Will Future Games Be Impacted?
We will have to be self-supporting. MSOC is looking into its options.

* Is There Another Organization Willing to Take Over the MSO Games?
The cost of hosting the games includes renting facilities, purchasing medals and ribbons, securing medical support staff, event staff and supplies, officials for games and events, printing of materials, postage and more.

* What Changes in MSO Games Can You Expect?
Due to trying economic times, MSO is keeping the price of participating in our games at a reasonable price. But in the future we may have to limit the number of events an athlete can register for at 10 or else we may need to charge a flat per-event fee.

* What Can the Athletes Do to Help?
If you are able, please make a donation to the Maryland Senior Olympics this year. It is tax deductible and every little bit helps. There is a line on the Individual Registration Form for offering a donation with your 2010 registration to participate in MSO.

You can also sponsor one of the MSO events. For example, the volleyball court and officials can be sponsored for a $500 tax deductible contribution.

You can help MSO find sponsors. Our athletes know a lot of people. Have you or are you still working for a company or organization that might be willing to help support MSO? Making the games happen each year is a group effort—everyone in the Maryland Senior Olympics can help recruit sponsors.

And, recycle old medals. Do you have a stash of medals from past games? There will be drop-off containers at all venues this year.

These are all important questions the MSO Committee is working on. If you have any suggestions, please contact us at www.mdseniorolympics.org.

Henry Dahlen

Chairman
Maryland Senior Olympics Committee