“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it,” and Jeffrey Krieger epitomizes that quote.
Having served on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) from 2002 to 2010 with a one-year hiatus in order to return for another term, he recently resumed that responsibility despite an already full plate as partner in the Century City law firm of Greenberg Glusker. As a business lawyer, his practice encompasses real estate and business legal services, with a focus on bankruptcy-related matters. He also chairs the Commercial Law Committee of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and is on the board of Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel.
“I was an athlete through college so I knew I wanted to be involved locally in the non-profit world with sports,” Krieger explained, describing the board of SOSC as “comprised of individuals striving to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve with them and look forward to growing the many relationships.”
An exceptionally busy term lies ahead.
“As a result of momentum generated by the Special Olympics World Games coming to Los Angeles in 2015, we are hoping to expand our number of athletes,” Krieger said. “It’s an enormous project. Our board will be the liaison with the organizing committee, assisting in preparing the infrastructure for this event. Every country bringing athletes will be paired with a city in Southern California so each community can have an involvement.”
More immediately, the SOSC Summer Games are coming up on June 9 and 10, when 1,100 athletes from across Southern California will compete at California State University, Long Beach. The event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed and tax-deductible donations are welcomed.
Krieger’s commitment to SOSC is a family affair, with his wife and children playing an active role.
Monica McDade, SOSC’s Assistant Vice President, Individual Philanthropy, told the News that “Jeff is currently serving on the executive committee and co-chairs the nominating governance committee of our Board of Directors,” adding that “the whole family volunteers together at Pier del Sol (a fundraising event held on the Santa Monica Pier, featuring gourmet food, rides, games, and a silent auction) and has been doing that for a number of years. They’re all awesome!”
She lauded his wife’s value to the Well-Being Index Team that started three years ago and is sponsored by Boeing, explaining that “Wendy’s involvement was in training the volunteer eight-person interviewer team at the Santa Clarita test site to work with our athletes. She’s a PhD, a very good facilitator, and has a real passion for our movement.
“We found a real need to provide local data to support our claims that our athletes’ lives are impacted in so many positive ways through the power of sports. The information being compiled by the UCLA School of Public Health will hopefully give us more local, quantifiable data illustrating how our programs help change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.”
That clearly came through in the comments of 17-year-old gymnast Caelyn Nora Griffith of Culver City, one of over 11,000 athletes served by SOSC, who shared that “I like it because I make friends and learn new skills, and I love my coaches.”
“When I interact at an event or fundraiser with our athletes I have seen them express a certain level of joy that’s unfiltered,” Krieger said. “One of the most fun things at the Pier is the karaoke setup, and they had a great, uninhibited time there. At an event at Mattel’s in El Segundo one kid who was blind performed on the keyboard and sang and it was unbelievable, like an old Motown sound. I was blown away.
There is so much hidden talent, and there is so much positive impact as a result of Special Olympics. Our role is to instill confidence by providing opportunities to train, compete on a serious level, and achieve. Our athletes, many of whom have independent jobs, have gained so much.”
Highlighting the importance of volunteers and fundraising, Krieger cited the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Officers also raise money through Plane/Fire Truck Pulls, 5K/10K runs, Raffles, Car Shows, Bike Rides, Polar Plunges®, Adopt-a-Cop programs, golf tournaments, and other special events including Tip-A-Cop® dinners, which give a whole new meaning to “Protect and Serve.” “They become part of the wait staff at various restaurants and their tips are donated,” he explained. “It’s great!”
For information about SOSC’s programs and activities, including how to compete, volunteer, coach or donate, call (562) 354-2600 or visit sosc.org and help these athletes achieve the empowerment described in a Chinese proverb: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”
