AUSTIN — Special Olympics Texas has received a $2 million donation—its largest individual gift ever—from Houston attorneys Amber and Steve Mostyn.
The donation, which was made to the SOTX Capital Campaign, will go toward building a new SOTX headquarters in northeast Austin. The contribution joins a $2 million lead gift from the GEO Group, which sponsors a yearly golf tournament benefiting Special Olympics Texas.
The Mostyns’ gift honors Amber’s mother, Christi Stanley, who passed away recently.
Amber Mostyn said, “My mother had a special place in her heart for those with special needs. One of her first jobs was at the Fort Worth State School. I grew up hearing her talk about what a privilege it had been to work there. I cannot think of a better way to honor my mother than to contribute to Special Olympics Texas. I am blessed to be able to do so and to have a husband who shares my mother’s passion for giving to others.”
The new 20,000-square-foot statewide headquarters will contain offices, meeting space and teleconferencing facilities, as well as a Family Resource Center and high-tech training rooms for coaches, volunteers, athletes and medical professionals.
“We are beyond thrilled by Steve and Amber’s generous gift. Their dedication to individuals with intellectual disabilities is obvious, and we are proud that the Mostyns have chosen to honor Amber’s late mother with this donation,” said Billy Glass, chairman of the SOTX Capital Campaign and father of a Special Olympics Texas athlete. “This gift is phenomenal.”
SOTX has now raised more than $4 million of the $6 million of the expected cost of the new facility.
“We are excited to be so close to our fundraising goal. This new building will help us to make even more dreams come true for Texans with intellectual disabilities,” said Rudy Lopez, chair of the Special Olympics Texas board and Fort Worth resident.
SOTX will host a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site on Friday, Sept. 6. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin later this year, with the organization moving into the building in early 2015.
For more information about the Capital Campaign and the new facility, see www.sotx.org/capitalcampaign.
About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect. SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 44,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646. Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.
Co-Sponsors:
Coca-Cola Refreshments, Food Town, H-E-B Tournament of Champions
Charitable Trust and the Law Enforcement Torch Run