We believe that the practice of charity unites us all. Bateman Harden actively supports various charitable organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend, Special Olympics, The Alzheimer’s Project, Refuge House, the American Cancer Society, and the Digital Harmony Project.

My involvement with Special Olympics has been a very important part of my life. Long before I started working with this extraordinary organization, I had a very special friend named Bob Bozeman who had Down Syndrome. Bob was always at the local pool and was a friend to many generations of youngsters growing up in South Georgia. He was friendly and forthright – never angry, never frustrated and never unwilling to play with the kids there.

My relationship with Bob inspired me to volunteer with Special Olympics, and I have served on the state board for 4 years. The experience has been one of the most gratifying chapters of my life.

Our regional contingent of Special Olympics volunteers have done an outstanding job for Leon County's Special Olympics, and I am committed to becoming more involved in our local effort. Part of the reason is selfish. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics, once said that after a number of years "we knew that we could give these young men and women something, but we had no idea what they had to offer us." I know exactly what she meant.

Special Olympics needs your help to provide funding and volunteer hours for their events. I can tell you that the return you will receive for your participation and the gratitude you will feel being part of such an effort is life changing.

I encourage you to contact Special Olympics Leon County and volunteer your time, your effort and/or your money – whatever you can – to help our program. Please visit their website, Special Olympics, for more information on how to contribute to this outstanding nonprofit organization.