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“It felt great being with my team. It made me feel grown up,” said John, a Huntington High School graduate.
The same sense of independence was felt by 19-year-old powerlifter Alex, the son of Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman.
“It changed his life forever. For the better. It was the first time Alex stayed overnight with just friends. That was a significant experience for him,” said Hengsterman.
Unfortunately for John, Alex, and 42,000 other Special Olympics athletes from across New York, one-third of them may not be able to compete in future events like the state games in 2024 in Syracuse (Winter), Ithaca (Summer), and Glens Falls (Fall).
The reason: crippling costs due to inflation.
“Costs are going up. Inflation has impacted our costs, especially transportation. Pre-Covid buses cost $3,000. Now they cost $9,000. Costs for hotel rooms, gas prices, food, everything is going up,” added Hengsterman.
Right now, Special Olympics New York operates on an $11.5 million budget, which is $3 million higher than pre-Covid levels.
The organization works hard generating two-thirds of that funding via fundraisers, like the Polar Plunge. One third is from government sources and grants.
While states like California saw an increase of government funding by $5 million and Texas received an additional $3 million, Special Olympics New York funding from the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities has remained flat for almost 20 years: a total of $1.5 million annually.
Now the organization is asking New York Governor Kathy Hochul to increase the annual total to $3 million in her Executive Budget submitted to the State Legislature.
“I cannot think of a better public investment than in our youth. Our athletes come home and give back to their communities and our local workforce. It’s a no-brainer to support them,” said John’s dad, Mark Cronin.
Athletes are not charged for training space and travel. Special Olympics New York also provides participants in 23 sports free health screenings and medical referrals that often prove critical.
A Special Olympics State Games consists of athletes traveling across the state for a Friday night dinner and Opening Ceremonies, athletic competitions Saturday morning, final heats in the afternoon, and a Saturday night dinner and dance party.
It is heartbreaking for many within the Special Olympics New York family to know that thousands of athletes and their families may not be able to experience the joy of games due to soaring costs tied to inflation.
“While we do have a budget challenge ahead of us, the fight for funds is worth it. This is about serving kids and all our athletes,” said Hengsterman. “It’s about ensuring a better quality of life for New Yorkers with disabilities and the families who love them.”
Athlete John Cronin, who competes in soccer, basketball, track and field, and snowshoeing, has raised more than $150,000 for Special Olympics New York since joining. He’s participated in the Polar Plunge for ten years, and donates proceeds from his own company: JohnsCrazySocks.com.
“I want to give back because the Special Olympics has done so much for me,” concluded John.
Future athletes may or not be able to experience that feeling, all depending on state lawmakers and the 2024 budget.