Ingalls Shipbuilding Donates to Special Olympics of Mississippi

Huntington Ingalls Industries say they recently donated $25,000 to Special Olympics of Mississippi. The check was presented at an event in Jackson and will help with travel expenses for Mississippi athletes and families to attend the Special Olympics USA Games, which will take place in June in New Jersey.

"Ingalls Shipbuilding fully supports the Special Olympics, and this donation will go a long way in providing these Mississippi athletes and their family members what they need to be able to compete in the national games," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Irwin F. Edenzon. "In addition to this donation, we have also been able to raise $16,500 to support the Mississippi games through our annual Ingalls Shipbuilding 5K run. But our support does not stop there. Annually, more than 250 of our shipbuilders volunteer their time to help with the Mississippi Special Olympic Games, the most of any company in Mississippi."

Edenzon presented the check to Helen Parish, CEO and president of Special Olympics Mississippi, and Terry Shinall, program director for Special Olympics Mississippi. Parish said that annual state and national games would not be possible without the help of companies like Ingalls and the more than 6,000 volunteers across the state.

"On behalf of the more than 15,000 athletes who participate in the Special Olympics Mississippi program, I would like to thank Huntington Ingalls and its employees for their outstanding support," Parish said. "When they are raising funds, helping run events or whatever we need help with, they are always ready to step up to the plate and make it a success. The 58 athletes, coaches and delegates who attend the 2014 USA Special Olympics National Games will have an experience of a lifetime, thanks to Huntington Ingalls and its employees."

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics Athletes and their community.

Pictured, from left – Terry Shinall, Helen Parish, Irwin F. Edenzon