The Carl and Betty Erskine Society

To join the Carl and Betty Erskine Society there are no membership fees or minimum gift amounts. The size of your gift is entirely your choice and is kept confidential. Whether you want to make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime or a gift that gives you guaranteed income for life, Special Olympics Indiana will work with you if you are ready to start a thoughtful process of integrating a charitable gift into your overall financial and estate plans.

A native of Anderson, Carl enjoyed a successful Major League Baseball career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers between 1948 and 1959. He pitched in five World Series, winning one in 1955 against the New York Yankees. He pitched two no-hitters and led the National League in 1953 with a 20-6 decision record. He played baseball during an era of transformation — the introduction of night games, jet travel, television, and racial desegregation.

As a teammate and friend of Jackie Robinson, he witnessed how the silent perseverance of one man changed society. These lessons learned became part of his legacy when his son Jimmy was born with Down syndrome in 1960. In 2012 Carl wrote “The Parallel” which documents how Carl has seen society change for people with intellectual disabilities through the power of Special Olympics.

Carl and Betty Erskine have had an immeasurable impact on our movement. Special Olympics Indiana is committed to raising awareness of the Erskines’ legacy by supporting the award-winning documentary, “The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story.”

The film was inspired by Carl’s book “The Parallel.” To obtain a copy of “The Parallel” or for more information about the Carl and Betty Erskine Society, please contact Scott Furnish at Special Olympics Indiana at 317-328-2009 ext. 1236.

This site contains general gift, estate, and financial planning information for educational purposes. It does not provide legal or tax advice. For advice or assistance on specific gifts and decisions, please consult an attorney or other professional advisor.

• Planned Giving Overview
• Making a Bequest
• Testimonial

SO Indiana State Office Contact

Scott Furnish
Vice President of Development & CDO