Miami, Florida, March 6, 2018 – The Miami Marlins held a special event in support of the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign during their Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida at the Roger Dean Stadium. A total of six individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from Best Buddies International and Special Olympics were invited to participate in the special event.
Notable guests included Miami Marlins Coach Mike Pagliarulo, infield players Derek Dietrich and Brian Anderson; among other Miami Marlins players.
“The Marlins were proud to join their charity partners, Best Buddies Florida and Special Olympics Florida – Miami-Dade County to support the awareness of the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign,” said Sarah Garcia, manager of Foundation Events and Initiatives for the baseball team. “Players, Coaches and staff made the pledge to show everyone respect and end the use of the R-word.”
The Miami Marlins players engaged with Best Buddies and Special Olympics program participants while pledging to join the global movement to promote respectful, inclusive language.
The Spread the Word to End the Word campaign engages schools, organizations and communities and urges young people around the world to take a stand in their own communities and help change the conversation by eliminating the use of the R-word and replacing it with ‘respect.’ The campaign highlights the harmful effects the word “retard(ed)” has on the millions of people with ID, their families and friends. Use of the R-word is hurtful and painful and, whether intended or not, is a form of bullying. It is the same as any slur used against any minority group. Eliminating the use of this word is a step toward respect for all.
About Best Buddies International
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 2,300 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org.
