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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Noels honored by Midland County Special Olympics Chris, Julie and Matt Noel were inducted into the Midland County (Area 30) Special Olympics Families Hall of Fame on Wednesday. The 18th annual ceremony followed a picnic at Midland 's Plymouth Park . Julie and Chris became volunteers — including helping with fundraising — when their son Matt joined the program in 2008. Matt participates in basketball, bocce and softball.
Chris' greatest involvement has been with Area 30's most successful fundraising event — the annual golf outing. As the event's chairman, he helped double participation to 144 golfers while reducing the number of needed volunteers for the event, helping obtain items for the event's silent auction and securing sponsorships. This year's outing will be July 21 at Sandy Ridge golf course.
He also played a key role in planning and execution of the 2012 Midland County Special Olympics calendar. That fundraising project features athletes, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and owners of those motorcycles.
Chris also arranged for Midland County Special Olympics volunteers' sale of pizza at softball and baseball tournaments. The Noels also sold more than 1,200 candy bars to raise money for Special Olympics in 2011, and the family members make sure that the athletes are greeted and that their needs are met at events.
Special Olympics serves athletes with intellectual disabilities, and the program in Midland County serves 160 athletes.Note to editors:
Information about Special Olympics in Midland County can be sought from area director Mary Adams at a3020@chartermi.net, by phone at (989) 832-9443, and on the Internet at http://www.somi.org/About-SOMI/RegionArea-Information/Northern-Region/Area-30.html