By Jesi Munguia
The 41st annual Special Olympics Michigan, held in Mount Pleasant last weekend was bigger than ever.
2,600 athletes from all 83 counties took part in the competition, 150 more athletes than the event had last year.
Tuesday is an even bigger day for Special Olympics Michigan, Governor Rick Synder signed into law House and Senate bills to allow taxpayers to easily donate money to the Special Olympics Michigan athletes.
The legislation allows individuals to donate a contribution to Special Olympics Michigan on their annual state income tax return. The income tax check-off will be active for the 2012 tax year and 2013 fiscal year.
Organizers for Special Olympics Michigan say that the legislation for the bills have been in the process since last June, Kimberly Purdy is their spokeswoman...
"This will put us in front of millions of taxpayers. Giving them the option to make a voluntary contribution to help provide more programs to more athletes. It's important for us to continue to reach out there's so many children and adults with intellectual disabilities that we have yet to reach. So this income tax check off box will allow us to increase our funding which will then allow us to increase our programs and reach out to more of those athletes."
The legislation was sponsored by Senator Rick Jones and Representative Kevin Cotter.
The 41st annual Special Olympics Michigan, held in Mount Pleasant last weekend was bigger than ever.
2,600 athletes from all 83 counties took part in the competition, 150 more athletes than the event had last year.
Tuesday is an even bigger day for Special Olympics Michigan, Governor Rick Synder signed into law House and Senate bills to allow taxpayers to easily donate money to the Special Olympics Michigan athletes.
The legislation allows individuals to donate a contribution to Special Olympics Michigan on their annual state income tax return. The income tax check-off will be active for the 2012 tax year and 2013 fiscal year.
Organizers for Special Olympics Michigan say that the legislation for the bills have been in the process since last June, Kimberly Purdy is their spokeswoman...
"This will put us in front of millions of taxpayers. Giving them the option to make a voluntary contribution to help provide more programs to more athletes. It's important for us to continue to reach out there's so many children and adults with intellectual disabilities that we have yet to reach. So this income tax check off box will allow us to increase our funding which will then allow us to increase our programs and reach out to more of those athletes."
The legislation was sponsored by Senator Rick Jones and Representative Kevin Cotter.