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DNS FOG Temp: 33 °F Wind: NE at 3 mph Saturday, December 7, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 25, 2002 Joshua Hansen, 18, of Ashland, was a participant in Southern Oregon Special Olympics, which closed its Medford office last week. His mother Debbie, a Special Olympics volunteer, is concerned about how the Portland office is going to meet the needs of thi Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman The closing of Medford’s Special Olympics office leaves parents and volunteers concerned about the program’s future in Southern Oregon By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune After a major staff expansion last year, Southern Oregon Special Olympics closed its Medford office last week, placing more of a burden on parents and volunteers to man the financially strapped program. "I think it’s going to be terrible," predicted volunteer Debbie Hansen, an Ashland mother whose 18-year-old son has Down Syndrome. "I think it’s going to be total chaos. It’s hard enough to organize things as it is, but without directors or officers here it’s going to mean asking a lot more of volunteers and parents." With the Medford office closed, all calls and administrative functions have been referred to the Portland chapter, which can be reached at 1-800-452-6079. Positions were eliminated, including those of regional director Alice Hammermeister, regional sports director Todd French and regional development director Melissa Shreeve. All three joined the Medford office last year. Special Olympics holds regional and state competitions after providing people with training in 14 sports such as cross country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, swimming, track, power lifting and volleyball. Closing the nonprofit’s offices in Medford and Eugene and combining its Aloha and Portland offices should save about $130,000, said Linda Kirkland, interim chief executive officer. Last year, the statewide chapter, which serves 5,000 Oregonians with mental disabilities, laid off one-fifth of its full-time staff and faced a deficit of more than $500,000. Five full-time positions were cut in this month’s restructuring, leaving Special Olympics Oregon with 16 full-time employees. "We’ve been lacking in funds for a long time," said Hansen. "Everybody seems to blame 9/11. But it got worse after that." She said many parents are in a panic because they’re not sure how the Portland office can properly administer Southern Oregon’s needs. "How are they going to organize everything down here from up there?" she wondered. Her son, Joshua, has been involved in Special Olympics since he was 8, and she believes the activities have helped him both physically and socially. Parents had already noticed cutbacks in the programs before the office was closed. During out-of-town competitions, parents and their children slept on gym floors because their wasn’t enough funding for proper housing, she said. Because many of the children have special medical needs, hardly anybody got any sleep. "The lights were never totally off (in the gym at night)," she said. Karen Parnell, who had been area director until last year, hopes the cutbacks put more control into the local community, particularly parents, volunteers and coaches. When she was director, Parnell estimated that Special Olympics in Jackson and Josephine counties helped about 300 participants. While she is optimistic about the future of Special Olympics in Southern Oregon, Parnell said the success of the program depends on how the Portland office manages events. "I’m hoping for the best, and I will say that all the volunteers will need to step forward," she said. Children as young as 5 can start training in Special Olympics, but participants have to be 8 before they can enter competitions. Special Olympics Oregon will hold town hall meetings in January and February to explore the more volunteer-driven and community-focused nature of the organization. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S