Guest Column: Strong support for Fall Games

We can't possibly thank you enough for everything you've done to make the Special Olympics State Fall Games these last four years one of the best events we offer.

We owe the majority of the success to the sponsors, to the media partners and to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers in the Cape Girardeau area. You gave at least 800 athletes per year an experience they will never forget; for that, we are eternally grateful.

This year we brought nearly 1,100 athletes, which is the most we've ever had come to Cape Girardeau. We truly believe that it's because the word got out that Southeast Missouri knows how to put on a world-class event for our athletes.

We want to make sure we thank our 2013 State Fall Games sponsors, because without them this event wouldn't take place: Law Enforcement Torch Run, Missouri State Council Knights of Columbus, Shop 'n Save, Missouri Association of Student Councils, Procter & Gamble, Southeast Missourian, KFVS12, Mississippi River Radio, Show-Me Center and City of Cape Girardeau -- Parks and Recreation.

This isn't goodbye though. We have plenty of area events for you to stay involved with including area bowling competition (Nov. 3 in Poplar Bluff, Nov. 9 in Farmington and Nov. 16 in Cape Girardeau), the Polar Plunge (Feb. 1 at Lake Boutin) and the Area Spring Games in April in Cape Girardeau.

We encourage you to stay involved with our program and to continue making a huge difference in the lives of our athletes. After four incredibly successful years, we hope you want to stay involved because you have been just as changed by the experience as our athletes.

As always, more information on all of our events and fundraisers is available on our website at www.SOMO.org.

Thank you for everything you've done and everything you'll continue to do for nearly 17,000 Special Olympics Missouri athletes statewide.

Mark Musso is the president and CEO of Special Olympics Missouri.