Barbara Cox

Barb Cox serves as county coordinator for Special Olympics Delaware County in Indiana. She has served this organization for the past 10 years, and in 2006 alone, Barb logged over 800 service hours.

Special Olympics of Delaware County is one of Indiana's three largest Special Olympics programs, serving over 500 athletes and partners. They provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in order to create continuing opportunities for them to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience the joy of achievement, build skills, make friends and participate in the community.

As county coordinator, Barb oversees all of the activities within the county and completes all of the paperwork necessary to keep the program accredited as a state program. Because Special Olympics Delaware County is an all-volunteer organization, in addition to serving as county coordinator, Barb is also a coach, bus driver, and fundraiser. They receive no federal, state or local funds and raise in excess of $50,000 annually to support the program.

In July, Barb was able to attend the first ever USA National Games where she had three athletes competing against athletes from across the country. In October, Barb will be attending the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China. One of her local swimmers will be part of Team USA. He is one of only seven Hoosier athletes that will be part of the team representing the United States.

Barb brings her personal passion and commitment to bear on every challenge involved in scheduling, coaching, planning – and even cooking for the awards banquet. She is a true servant leader who puts her hands and heart to work at every level of need within the organization. Thanks to her vision and the many hours she invests, the lives of special athletes and partners in Delaware County are enhanced each year as they work together.