Tag: amanda church

Special Olympics Athlete Amanda Church Speaks at Boston Moving Company Sales Meeting

Posted on by olympiamoving
Amanda Church shows off her Special Olympics World Games medals with Olympia Moving & Storage Founder & President Michael Gilmartin
Amanda Church shows off her Special Olympics World Games medals with Olympia Moving & Storage Founder & President Michael Gilmartin

Olympia Moving & Storage was proud to feature Special Olympics athlete Amanda Church as a guest speaker at our bi-annual sales meeting in October. The Boston moving company was the sponsor of Amanda’s trip to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles this summer.

Amanda gave a speech at the sales meeting, sharing her extraordinary experiences at World Games. Amanda’s told Olympia Moving about her training, staying in the Olympic village, being on ESPN during the Opening Ceremonies, meeting Michael Phelps, and of course swimming her events and the amazing moment of being awarded her medals on the podium.

She also gave Olympia Moving inspiring insights on how Special Olympics World Games is changing how the world views people with intellectual disabilities:

“The World Games showcased not just how capable people with intellectual disabilities are in athletics but also in life. I think the World Games really changed how people think about people with intellectual disabilities. That’s the whole reason for R-Word campaign. This word I believe should be removed from all books, TV, movies, everywhere. It is hurtful to not only people with disabilities but to everyone else all over the World. Some people who hear this word take it so bad that they can lose their self-esteem, not want to go to school or work, or worse. I would like everyone to stop anyone who says this to anyone and remind them what the R-Word means to them and how it affects others whether you have a disability or not. This word needs to be removed from our vocabulary.” – Amanda Church, Special Olympics World Games Athlete

Amanda also showed off her medals: a Silver Medal for the 200 meter breaststroke and a Bronze medal for the 4 by 50 freestyle relay. She was also kind enough to thank Olympia Moving for the sponsorship during her speech:

“I trained very hard to reach my goal, but I could not have done it without the support of my coach’s, family, and friends; but most importantly the support of all of you at Olympia. You gave me the best gift of all which was helping me get to Worlds with a $5,000 donation, and for that I thank you. I hope Olympia will continue to keep supporting Special Olympics, and come to Summer Games year after year.” – Amanda Church, Special Olympics World Games Athlete

Learn more about our sponsorship of Amanda.

Olympia Moving Recognized at Red Sox Game for Sponsorship of Special Olympics

Posted on by olympiamoving

Special Olympics Massachusetts took Olympia Moving out to the ballgame on August 20th and we were in for a surprise during the Red Sox pre-game! CEO Michael Gilmartin and his son, VP of Sales & Marketing Piet Gauchat, and Marketing Manager Rachael Fischer from Olympia Moving & Storage were brought onto the field to be recognized for our support of Special Olympics Massachusetts. Olympia Moving was presented an award by World Games athlete Amanda Church, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, and Wally the Green Monster.

L-R Rachael Fischer (Olympia Marketing Manager), Piet Gauchat (Olympia Vice President of Sales), Michael Gilmartin and his son Andrew (CEO of Olympia Moving & Storage), Amanda Church (Special Olympics World Games athlete), Larry Lucchino (CEO of the Boston Red Sox) and Wally the Green Monster!
Thank you Special Olympics for this recognition and this beautiful plaque!
Thank you Special Olympics for this recognition and this beautiful plaque!

Here’s a video of this memorable moment in Fenway Park:

After the presentation, Olympia Moving watched the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1! Olympia Moving & Storage has been a Boston moving company for over 20 years, so it was a very special night indeed!

Thank you Special Olympics Massachusetts for this wonderful honor – we love working with you!

Olympia Moving & Storage has been the official logistics partner for Special Olympics Massachusetts since 2013. Last year, Olympia Moving’s monetary and in-kind logistics donations totaled almost $50,000. This summer, Olympia Moving also sponsored World Games athlete Amanda Church, you can read about her experience competing with 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in her training blogs on the Olympia website. You can learn more about our work with Special Olympics and make a donation to these amazing athletes at https://www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Amanda Church World Games Final Update (July)

Posted on by olympiamoving

Amanda Church_Olympia Moving

It has been an inspiration to be Amanda Church’s Special Olympics World Games sponsor, watch her training updates, and cheer her on. She has been on an incredible journey and we could not be more proud. Amanda represented the United States, finished strong at her swimming events, and showed the world what athletes with intellectual disabilities are capable of!

Olympia Moving kicked off World Games by driving Amanda and the rest of the Massachusetts World Games delegation to the airport. They were off to L.A. in style!

Amanda shared her final Special Olympics World Games update with us after the games:

Amanda’s Training Update: July 2015

Current Event Times:

Event Competition Time
100 Breaststroke 2:09.00
100 Freestyle 2:15.00
200 Breaststroke 4:29.00

I had a great time at World Games.  I competed in 4 events.  I competed in the 4 by 50 freestyle relay, the 100 meter Freestyle, 100 Meter Breaststroke and the 200 Meter Breaststroke.  I did great at World games and had a blast.  I even got the opportunity to meet Michael Phelps.

  • In my 100 Meter Freestyle I got a 8th place ribbon but had a great finish time.
  • In my 100 Meter Breast Stroke, I got a 5th place ribbon and also had a great time.
  • In my 200 Meter Breaststroke I got the Silver Medal. I had a great time.
  • In the 4 by 50 relay my team and I received the Bronze Medal. We were so excited.

Check out this video of Amanda in the 100-meter freestyle (lane 5, white cap) – look at her go!

Special Olympics Massachusetts interviewed Amanda after the race:

Congratulations, Amanda, on your medals and achievements!

Congrats Amanda

Learn more about our sponsorship of Amanda.

Special Olympics Athlete Amanda Church Cites Olympia Moving in ESPN Magazine

Posted on by olympiamoving

The countdown is on for Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, where Amanda Church will be representing Team USA in four swimming events. Amanda hails from Massachusetts and her trip to World Games is sponsored by Olympia Moving & Storage.

In addition to her training, Amanda has been doing plenty of press leading up to the games. From shaking hands with Mayor Walsh when the Flame of Hope came through Boston to posing with Wally on the field during last week’s Red Sox/Yankees game, Amanda has been busy representing the Massachusetts athletes on their way to the biggest sporting event in the world this year!

Amanda Church

Amanda also wrote a piece for ESPN Magazine’s 2015 “Body Issue” which hit stands on Friday. We’re so proud of Amanda for eloquently sharing her story, representing her fellow athletes, and for telling ESPN Magazine readers across the country why Special Olympics World Games is so important.

Amanda also generously references her sponsor, Olympia Moving & Storage, in the article.

We encourage everyone to read the full article here. Amanda’s words are absolutely inspiring, and challenge many assumptions about athletes and people with disabilities. In one of our favorite quotes from the article, Amanda suggests “there are much better R-words to describe those of us who have risen to our challenges. Responsible. Resilient. Remarkable.”

Amanda has been tracking her training for us. You can read all of her World Games training blogs on the Olympia Moving website. Learn more about Olympia Moving’s sponsorship of Amanda. You can also click here to read the feature on our sponsorship of Amanda in AMSA Directions magazine.

Only a week until Amanda and her fellow athletes are on their way to Special Olympics World Games! We are so proud to be Amanda’s sponsor. Go Amanda!

Amanda Church Special Olympics World Games Training Update (June 2015)

Posted on by olympiamoving

Amanda Church_Olympia MovingAmanda Church, the Special Olympics World Games athlete sponsored by Olympia Moving & Storage, has had a busy month!  She’s entering her final training for her competitions in LA World Games in July, along with athletes from 177 countries!

Amanda gave us an update with her training!

Amanda’s Training Update: June 8th

Current Event Times:

Event Current Time
100 Breaststroke 2:02.00
100 Freestyle 2:26.00
200 Breaststroke 4:32.00

“This past weekend June 5th-7th was Summer Games 2015. I had a ton of fun. I got 4th place in the 100 Meter Freestyle, but I know I was in a tough heat, but that is ok. I am challenging myself to make sure I will be ready to try to reach the Gold at World Games. I also got a Gold Medal in my 100 Meter breaststroke, and also in the 200 Meter breaststroke. My times were awesome. I also did all these events on Sunday.”

“I am going to keep on training really hard to get ready for World Games! The harder I train, the more I feel good about heading to World Games, and looking forward not only to compete, but to have the chance to get to meet other Special Olympics athletes from all over the world.”

Wow, Amanda!  Congrats on your medals!  Amanda was also interviewed by Fox 25 during summer games, you can check out the video:

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Amanda also represented Special Olympics at the Unified Relay, as the World Games Flame of Hope passed through Boston. Here’s a picture of her on stage with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh!

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Olympia Moving was also at Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games, running the logistics and moving the athletes into their dorms! Check out photos of our crew with the athletes!

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Learn more about our sponsorship of Amanda.  

Amanda Church Special Olympics World Games Training Update (May 2015)

Posted on by olympiamoving

Amanda Church_Olympia MovingAnother training update from Olympia Moving-sponsored Special Olympics athlete Amanda Church! She continues to improve her times as she gets ready to compete alongside 7,000 other athletes at Special Olympics World Games 2015 in Los Angeles!

Amanda’s Training Update: May 10th

Current Event Times:

Event Current Time
100 Breaststroke 2:03.00
100 Freestyle 2:18.00
200 Breaststroke 4:26.00

“This past Saturday May 9th my Mom took me to the YMCA in Easton so I can get some training in. My Mom timed me on my 3 events.”

  • My 100 Freestyle time is now 2:18.00
  • My 100 Breaststroke is now 2:03.00, 3 seconds off my goal time which is 2:00.00
  • My 200 Breaststroke is now 4:26.00. I am only six seconds off from my goal time of 4:20.00 for the 200 Breaststroke.

“I am now swimming longer distance to help build more endurance so that I can reach my goal times and be ready not just Summer Games but World Games as well.”

“Last weekend at Life we had family weekend. One great thing that they do at family weekend at Life is a 5K run/walk. I jogged the 5K and I was the first female Life resident and Special Olympian to finish first. My name is going to be on a plaque at the Life Rec Hall.”

Wow, Amanda!  You’re a strong competitor in the pool and on the track!  Click here to learn more about our sponsorship of Amanda.  Click here to make a donation to support Amanda and her fellow Special Olympics athletes as they work to meet their goals!

Amanda Church Special Olympics World Games Training Update (April 2015)

Posted on by olympiamoving

Amanda Church_Olympia MovingOlympia Moving’s sponsored athlete, Amanda Church, is training hard for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. She was kind enough to send us an update on her progress. You’re crushing it, Amanda! We’re so proud of you and your training achievements!

Amanda’s Training Update: April 12th

Current Event Times:

Event Current Time
100 Breaststroke 2:04.00
100 Freestyle 2:29.00
200 Breaststroke 4:32.00

“Today I went to the YMCA in Easton to get some training in. I have set goal times for each of my events:”

  • 100 Breast Stroke goal time: 2:00.00
  • 100 Freestyle goal time: 2:20.00
  • 200 Breast Stroke goal time: 4:20.00

“Besides getting ready for Summer Games and World Games, The Life Program is having family week coming up the first weekend in May. I am going to be giving a speech about both of my experiences at life and Special Olympics.”

Amanda’s Training Update: April 30th

Current Event Times:

Event Current Time
100 Breaststroke 2:06.00
100 Freestyle 2:19.00
200 Breaststroke 4:29.00

“Today was my Swim Qualifier at Bridgewater State University. I competed in 3 out of my 4 events.  I even beat my goal time in the 100 Meter Freestyle . My goal was 2:20.00 and I did it with a time of 2:19.00.  I also competed in the 200 Breaststroke and the 100 Breaststroke.  I got a Gold Medal in both my 200 and 100 Meter Breaststroke, and a Silver in my 100 Meter Freestyle. I am ready to keep training for State Games in June, and World Games.”

“Another exciting thing that is coming up in my life is my brother Jared is getting married in October in California. I am very much excited to have another soon to be sister in law.”

Way to go, Amanda, on your medals and wins!  Read more about our sponsorship of Amanda.  

Sponsor of Special Olympics World Games Athlete Amanda Church

Posted on by olympiamoving

IMG_0965Olympia Moving & Storage is proud to announce their sponsorship of Special Olympics World Games athlete Amanda Church. Special Olympics World Games, which will take place in Los Angeles beginning July 25th, will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2015. Amanda will be one of 7,000 athletes from 177 countries competing in the Games, and one of only 7 athletes representing Massachusetts. She will be representing team USA in two aquatics events: breaststroke & freestyle.

The Boston moving company’s sponsorship of $5,000 will help cover Amanda’s training and travel expenses. As part of the sponsorship, the company will be cheering Amanda on at her competitions leading up to the games, and reporting on her training progress on olympiamoving.com and Olympia’s Facebook page.

Olympia Moving & Storage has been the official logistics sponsor of Special Olympics Massachusetts since 2013. Last year, the company’s fundraising and donated logistics services for Special Olympics competitions exceeded $50,000. While planning for the company’s 2015 sponsorship, Olympia Moving inquired if there was any way they could assist with the upcoming World Games.

Olympia Moving President Michael Gilmartin presenting Amanda Church with her sponsorship check
Olympia Moving President Michael Gilmartin presenting Amanda Church with her sponsorship check

The Boston moving company was immediately impressed by Amanda’s accomplishments. She has won many gold medals since she began competing with Special Olympics in 1998 and was inducted into the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Amanda lives independently with the LIFE program and has held jobs as a receptionist and Special Olympics intern.

This is a dream come true for me as I’ve wanted to compete in World Games for a long time. With the help of my coaches I know I will be ready to swim for the gold this summer,” says Amanda Church. “Special Olympics Massachusetts is honored to have sponsors like Olympia Moving.”

Be sure to watch this blog for updates on Amanda’s training as she prepares for the Games!

You can learn more about Olympia Moving & Storage’s work with Special Olympics at http://www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Click here to read the official press release