Special Olympics Georgia Athlete Joins Law Enforcement Torch Run Executive Committee; Begins Her Own Fundraising Project

ATLANTA, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Even though Paige Copeland, a Special Olympics athlete, has faced many challenges, it's her outlook that has made the difference and helped her become the athlete ambassador on the state's Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Executive Council.

Paige, recently appointed to the two-year term, will give feedback to LETR, the organization's largest grassroots fundraiser, about its annual plans. Her term officially started in August. She is the second only Special Olympics athlete to serve on the Executive Council. The first was Dekalb County Special Olympics gymnast Elena Weaver.

Paige, of Henry County, was selected through a nomination process by the LETR Executive Council based on her high community involvement and her previous role as Miss Special Henry County. She was also chosen based on her public speaking experience and good-natured personality. "Being special has brought many challenges into my life, and all special needs people have big challenges in their lives. We all face challenges. But whether or not you're special, you can face the challenges by seeing them as storms, or you can see them as rainbows. I choose to see mine as rainbows, and I challenge everyone to do the same," she said recently.

In addition to providing an athlete's perspective, Paige will make public presentations about the year-round LETR fundraising efforts for the 23,078 children and adults with intellectual disabilities registered in Special Olympics Georgia. Torch Run raises approximately $650,000 each year. Paige recently created her own fundraising page to contribute. Support Paige's new adventures with LETR by making a donation at www.firstgiving.com/paige_copeland.  

Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA)

SOGA provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 23,078 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information, visit www.SpecialOlympicsGA.org.  

SOURCE Special Olympics Georgia