In 1962 a very kind woman named Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for children with intellectual disabilities. A few years later in 1968, a physical education teacher with the Chicago Park District by the name of Anne McGlone Burke convinced Shriver to fund the first International Special Olympics Summer Games. They took place that year at Soldier Field and had over 1,000 athletes participate. Since then, the Special Olympics have grown to reach more than 180 countries and have served more than 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities.

The Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association has been a supporter of the Special Olympics since 1996 and according to their website, the “combined efforts of the annual IMAWA fundraisers plus Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby activities have raised more than $185,000 from the moving and storage industry in Illinois for this very worthwhile organization that serves more than 22,000 athletes each year.”

This year, Blackhawk Moving & Storage was able to contribute Cubs game tickets which included parking to the IMAWA’s convention. With our donation they were able to raise more than $500 for the Special Olympics. Our moving company is proud to be members of the Illinois Movers’ And Warehousemen’s Association and couldn’t be happier that our contributions will go to such a great cause. It’s a blessing to work with such outstanding people who are always willing to go the extra mile to help others succeed. As Eunice Kennedy Shriver first stated in 1968, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt.”