Eunice Kennedy Shriver had one vision — to show the world that people with intellectual disabilities could achieve and thrive in society. Her vision and legacy live on through two organizations — Best Buddies and Special Olympics. With her sons Anthony and Timothy at the helm of each respectively, they are leading the world's largest classrooms for acceptance and inclusion. In their own ways, whether it be through sports, friendship, leadership development or jobs Best Buddies and Special Olympics are changing the world.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day has been created in her honor to inspire people to experience her legacy and embrace the movement she founded more than 42 years ago in her backyard. There are three key components to honoring her legacy:
PLAY: A day of sports training clinics and sports activities to commemorate Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s belief in building greater equality through organized athletics.
JOIN: An effort to share her life and impact and to educate people about the urgent needs of people with intellectual disabilities and to motivate new fans and friends to act.
BUILD: A regional effort to dedicate new or renovated athletic facilities in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s honor in the poorest communities.
Hundreds of events took place on September 25th all over the world to honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Some of the notable events included:
· FIFA Football for Hope™ Center in Namibia was dedicated in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s name
· Unified Sports® events with Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity in Calcutta and Delhi, India
· Special Olympics Camp Shriver events were held in East Timor, Haiti and Malaysia
· U.S. Soccer Foundation field dedication at the Washington, D.C Friendship Charter School
· Special Olympics Healthy Athletes screenings for those with intellectual disabilities took place in over 20 countries
Additionally, Best Buddies participated in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge which took place in Washington D.C. on October 23, 2010, and raised over 1 million dollars for programs supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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