Special Olympics Virginia presented its Annual Awards at the 2008 Awards Celebration, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, on March 10 in Richmond.  

"Farm Bureau Insurance is extremely proud to be a part of this annual awards ceremony, and also to support Special Olympics Virginia year-round," said Donnie Knowlson, director of sales for Farm Bureau Insurance and also a member of the Special Olympics Virginia Board of Directors.

"We hope, through our support, more of our employees and members of the community will become involved in this program and in turn, change their minds about the value of people with intellectual disabilities, as I believe that Special Olympics Virginia inspires greatness – greatness of spirit and will in lieu of physical, intellectual or fiscal geatness."

Awards were presented for Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Outstanding Area Volunteer, Outstanding Family, Program Volunteer and Virginia H. Foster Winning Spirit Award. The Program Volunteer of the Year award when to Richmond's own Billy McKinney.

McKinney is a longtime Special Olympics volunteer who primarily helps with the Alpine Championships and Summer Games. Beyond planning and working the events, McKinney often repairs equipment and builds new equipment for various Special Olympics Virginia state championships.

The preceding was compiled from a Special Olympics news release.