Michele Henson Quotations

So far, there have been nearly 300 red athlete bricks purchased. Bricks in the Tribute Park are reserved for current and past Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

Since Illinois is the birthplace of Special Olympics, the first Games were held in July 1968 at Chicago's Soldier Field, many groups felt there was a need for a physical tribute in this state to the athletes and the Special Olympics movement.

Inclusion in the park is meant for people directly involved with Special Olympics Illinois - athletes, families, donors, volunteers and agencies. However, anyone can make a contribution to the park, either for the purchase of athlete bricks for those who cannot afford them or for an endowment fund to ensure that Special Olympics Illinois will be able to continue to offer the same quality sports training and competition opportunities for athletes in the future.

To get their name on a brick, athletes simply need to collect $100 in donations. Included on the brick are their name, their hometown and the year they purchased the brick.