The NNU SIFE team was involved with the 2009 World Winter Games of the Special Olympics (see the article dated 1-8).   The SIFE Murals Project reported in this blog on 2-10 promoted both the characteristics of personal success skills identified by the Special Olympics, and encouraged environmental sustainability.  The SIFE team also prepared gift backpacks as an extension of these goals.

SIFE  produced unique sling backpacks for Special Olympics personnel.  2200 gift bags were presented to the athletes, 1150 gift bags for delegates and coaches, and 300 gift bags for the media.  These bags contained materials that encouraged athletes to be more environmentally friendly, such as a flash drive for each athlete loaded with a series of steps on how they can improve their environment when they go home.  There was also an Idaho Spuddy Buddy for each athlete, water bottles with environmental action steps printed on the side, lotion, a hand-knit scarf donated from people all over the world, trading pins for the athletes to place on their backpacks, and many other items.  Because of SIFE’s involvement in this project, both the NNU and SIFE logos were clearly emblazoned on the water bottles and backpacks.

The SIFE team was also given an opportunity to be part of the Olympic Fair at the Center on the Grove in Boise.  Our students were able to meet many of the athletes and help them sign a section of the Special Olympics Mural. (See the article dated 2-10)  The whole project has been an enlightening experience as the NNU community stepped up to be involved.  The NNU art department helped with the design of the mural and there were over 400 volunteers for the backpack stuffing project.
 
NNU SIFE President Lisa Bloomquist said, “Seeing the faces of the athletes in downtown Boise, who stopped to share even two minutes of their stories, made the effort of the project worth all the time invested.  The athletes were very excited to take pictures, tell about their sport, and offer you a smile, high-five, or handshake before taking off to discover the rest of what Boise had to offer.”

Filed under: Business Alumni, HS2NNU, Helstrom Happenings, MBA Advantage, Step Into ABA, BACKPACKS, LISA BLOOMQUIST, MURALS, SIFE, SPECIAL OLYMPICS