SOMO News

KANSAS CITY – Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) and Southeast Enterprises are proud to host the Second Annual Picture Me Perfect Art Crawl presented by Zoetis in Brookside on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 2-6 p.m.

We are encouraging ALL members of the community to come out to celebrate local artists with intellectual and physical disabilities! Last year’s event was an amazing success as we highlighted local artists with special abilities while raising $12,855.  We look forward to featuring even more artists this year!

Back in July, SOMO athletes and Southeast Enterprises associates began creating artwork at the Nelson Atkins Museum for this one-of-a-kind event. At the Picture Me Perfect Art Crawl, everyone will have the opportunity to purchase this amazing art and support these two amazing organizations as well! It’s a win-win! All the proceeds will go directly to funding programs for SOMO and Southeast Enterprises.

The artwork will be on display at several Brookside businesses during the event, including Commerce Bank, LADYCO, Brookside Framing & Gallery, Shop Local KC, Optical Innovations, Sierra Winter Jewelry, Foo’s Fabulous Custard, a store named STUFF, and the Corner Candleshop.

Throughout the event, visitors will be able to meet with the artists. There will be plenty of appetizers and drink specials at each art crawl location as well. Tickets are $30 for one or $50 for two. You can purchase tickets here, or you can get them at the door! We hope to see everyone at the Picture Me Perfect Art Crawl on Oct. 15!

Media Members: We would love to have you cover this event! We also think this could be a great feel-good story leading up to it as well! Our SOMO athletes and Southeast Associates have been working very hard to create the artwork for the art crawl. Feel free to use any of the photos below! If you’d like to set up an interview with one of the artists either ahead of the event or at the event, please reach out to Christina at hunt@somo.org.

Thank you to our great sponsors and partners:

• Presenting Sponsor – Zoetis
• Titanium Sponsor – Feist Charitable Foundation
• Silver Sponsor – Commercial Concepts Furnishings
• Location Sponsors – Brooksider, The Roasterie, Brookside Barrio, Meddy’s, Michael Forbes
• Partners – Brookside Business Association, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Special Olympics Missouri

Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends and communities across Missouri.

Special Olympics Missouri is proud of our financial health, returning 82% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Charity Navigator 4-star rating and Guidestar Gold Level. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 4 most trusted nonprofit.

Southeast Enterprises

Southeast Enterprises (SE) is providing meaningful employment and opportunities to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live life to the fullest. Individuals experience the dignity of a job with purpose, a good paycheck, and possibility for full-time employment.

The Southeast Enterprises’ 36,000-square-foot facility is a person-centered and supportive work environment providing a variety of general hand assembly and packaging projects, training

for warehouse material handling and lead workers; an array of personal and professional development training; and community engagement activities.

SE also provides individuals opportunities to work in various businesses in the community. These experiences focus on preparing individuals to transition to competitive integrated employment if desired; preparing businesses to hire individuals with I/DD and feel better prepared to support neurodiverse learners; acquisition of specific skill sets and confidence to be successful in any environment an individual chooses; and increasing a person’s earning potential and independence.

Importantly, SE’s environment provides a dynamic social network and strong friendships.

Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.

Visit Special Olympics Missouri at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Visit Southeast Enterprises at www.southeastenterprises.org.