Centene Gives $1 Million Toward Special Olympics Campaign

The charitable arm of Clayton-based has given $1 million to Special Olympics Missouri toward construction of an athletic training facility expected to break ground in 2013, the company announced Thursday. The contribution from Centene Charitable Foundation is the largest gift the organization has ever received.

"At Centene, we recognized the need to step up and provide significant support and I highly encourage and challenge the community to invest in this once-in-a-lifetime project that will take health, wellness and fitness opportunities for these children and adults to a level never before experienced," Centene Chief Executive Michael Neidorff stated in a news release posted to Special Olympics Missouri's website.

Neidorff spoke Thursday in Columbia, MO, alongside University of Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel and Brock Guseman, a Special Olympics athlete who recently competed at the World Games in Greece. 

The Training for Life Campus is expected to cost $7.5 million. It will serve people with developmental disabilities and be the largest facility of its kind in the U.S., the release states. The Columbia, MO, campus is expected to measure 44,000 square feet and will include facilities for 21 sports, a Sports Leadership Training Center Hall of Fame, a fitness center with equipment for cardiovascular and weight training.

The facility also will provide camps, on-site health screenings and certification training for coaches and volunteers, among other services.

Those interested in making a contribution to the Training for Life Campus campaign may do so online.

Centene provides uninsured Americans with health-care solutions, among other services.