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October, 2009 |
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State Aquatics Championships
Over 300 Special Olympics athletes of all ages and abilities converged on North County Regional Park Pool in Sebastian, October 3-4 for the 2009 Special Olympics Florida State Aquatics Championships. Athletes from throughout Florida competed in short and long course events including relays.
The weekend featured an opening ceremony with a traditional parade of delegations and athletes enjoyed free health screenings as part of Special Olympics' Health Promotion program, where athletes were offered guides for healthy eating, lifestyle choices, fun ways to increase physical fitness, as well as information on sun safety and hydration.
Sponsoring the Championships were Special Olympics Florida's Premier Sponsor, Publix, and Pinch A Penny. The event was hosted by the Indian River County Parks and Recreation Department.
Get full results and see photos from the event!
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SEC Invites Their Fans to be Fans of Special Olympics!
This year's football season kicked off with exciting news for Special Olympics! The Southeastern Conference and Special Olympics has rekindled its long-standing partnership with new efforts that will help raise awareness about Special Olympics.
If you haven't already seen our new television ad, produced in partnership with the SEC, you can catch it during select SEC televised football games.
This is just the first in a series of many things the two organizations will be doing together to bring recognition, respect and support to Special Olympics athletes throughout the Southeastern U.S.
Gator fans: if you find yourselves in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game this December...be sure to stop by the Special Olympics booth at FanFare!
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"Her Eyes Never Smiled"
How Special Olympics Changed Anya
Special Olympics changed Anya Solis' life.
Her coach, Ana Maria Miyares of Miami-Dade, County said: "When I met Anya six years ago you couldn't even shake hands with her. She felt that she couldn't touch anyone because they would die just like her mom (from cancer). She was shy, talked very little and...her eyes never smiled.
Today this young lady is a happy, energetic, and bubbly girl, who participates in swimming, soccer, basketball and track and field, dances, loves life and is the joy among many of our Baywatchers (her local Special Olympics team).
She works at Florida International University, and Special Olympics not only made her a participant but gave her a new perspective of life. Today, Anya hugs everyone and gives love to all who are part of her life."
Read more of Anya's story... Click on "Friends" in the Table of Contents and select "Anya Solis"
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Jack in the Park: Bigger and Better in 2009
"Jack" was back in full force this year at the Winter Park Farmer's Market on Friday, October 14. A record-setting 600-plus party-goers came out to support the third annual Jack in the Park, benefiting Special Olympics Florida.
Guests enjoyed drinks and gourmet delicacies, made on site by several of Central Florida's finest restaurants, including The Ravenous Pig, Brio, Luma on Park, Cantina Laredo, Park Plaza Gardens, Houston's and Cuisiniers.
While the featured event of the night is always the blackjack tournament, guests could also try their hand at roulette and craps. There were silent and live auctions, a raffle, and the crowd heard from Special Olympics athletes Chris Friedman and Richard Mendola, who shared how Special Olympics has effected their lives.
After several rounds of play, and hours of fun, the final table competitors squared off for bragging rights and the chance to win the grand prize: a 52" LCD television. Michael Melendy emerged as the 2009 Tournament Champion. Making the victory even sweeter is that Melendy happens to also support Special Olympics each year by participating in the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics!
This year's Jack in the Park was made possible by Winter Park based Presenting Sponsor Highwinds, and over 100 Winter Park and Orlando area business.
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Way to go Melba!
Melba Jacobs, a fantastic volunteer and our Special Olympics Leon County Coordinator (Tallahassee area) is this year's recipient of the 2009 Celebration of Human Services "Above and Beyond Award," presented by United Partners For Human Services.
The award write-up read: "Melba does not get paid for her work in Special Olympics; she does what she does from the goodness of her heart. Since she doesn't get paid, she also has a full-time paid job as the Adapted Physical Education Resource Person for Leon County Schools. Melba many times has to come home and work on projects for Special Olympics until early hours of the morning. Although she gets tired, she never quits. She thoroughly enjoys devoting the many hours to Special Olympics."
And Melba told us "I was overwhelmed when I won this award recently. I just wanted to share this with you [Special Olympics FL] because you have been instrumental in helping me develop as a volunteer, coach, and coordinator of our local Special Olympics Program. I am so honored to be a part of an organization that promotes dignity, acceptance and inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities."
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Need a "Staycation"?
Then Don't Miss Our Island Party!
You've only got two weeks left to get your tickets to our first-ever Island Hop: An Evening of Island Experiences Benefiting Special Olympics Florida
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando
Island Hop is a one-of-a-kind party where you can explore select island cultures from around the globe. Set on the lush, landscaped grounds of the Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando, the Island Hop is a strolling adventure filled with exciting and entertaining experiences from renowned island destinations.
Island attire is encouraged -- flip flops, Hawaiian shirts, sun dresses, shorts, etc. Delectable regional cuisine, refreshing cocktails, and live entertainment await you at every turn.
Your Travel Itinerary
* Your get-away begins with First Class Check-in where you'll be welcomed and given your passport and everything you'll need to have a worry-free evening.
* Take part in the Explorer Raffle -- your chance to win one of three amazing trips to a fantastic island location!
* There will be a silent auction where you can bid on over 40 incredible get-away packages to fun and relaxing destinations both near and far.
* Throughout the evening you'll enjoy delectable island cuisine and cocktails, including tropical concoctions, specialty drinks and a one-of-a-kind Island Beer Garden where you can enjoy some of the Caribbean's finest brews!
* What's more enjoyable than eating crab? Racing them! That's right, be sure to place your bet on your favorite swift side-walker.
* Feeling lucky? Try your hand at some casino games and blackjack tables (no U.S. currency accepted, just "sand dollars")
* Get in a little golf. In fact, miniature. Gaylord Palms Orlando has an outstanding miniature golf course and it's yours to enjoy during a friendly competition tournament!
* A party isn't a party without music and dancing and there will be plenty of live entertainment for you to enjoy.
Tickets are $100 per person and you can register on-line at www.specialolympicsflorida.org/islandhop
And Gaylord Palms is offering a special "play and stay" room rate for Island Hop guests who'd like to make a weekend out of it!
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From Tropical to Freezing
The Orlando Polar Bear Club will host its second annual “plunge,” a fundraiser for Special Olympics Florida, on December 5 at 8:30am inside the 9-degree ICE! attraction at Gaylord Palms Resort (Orlando).
While the activity gives new meaning to the word "cool," Polar Bear Clubs take this notion to the extreme with the motto: "When you start your day below freezing, there’s no place to go but up."
The Orlando club – based loosely on the traditions of its brave (read: slightly crazy) Northern counterparts – gives residents (and visitors) the opportunity to take their own cold-weather trip through ICE!, Orlando’s 9-degree holiday attraction hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice, while wearing only a swimsuit.
On December 5th, ICE! will open one hour early to welcome guests who would like to become official members of Florida's only Polar Bear Club.
This will be the only opportunity this season to visit ICE! in a bathing suit. Afterward, participants will be named official members of the Orlando Polar Bear Club and will receive a special certificate to commemorate their plunge.
A post-plunge warm-up reception will include coffee, cocoa, and snacks. In addition, participants will be invited to return to the attraction later that morning while fully clothed.
The special Orlando Polar Bear Club tickets are on sale now for just $21.99 plus tax. And $7 from every ticket sold will be donated to Special Olympics Florida!
Coming soon...we'll have info on how you can purchase tickets to ICE! that will benefit Special Olympics Florida (and you won't have to get up early or go through in your bathing suit!)
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Jo Dee Messina Rocks!
Country music super star Jo Dee Messina held a private meet and greet with Broward County athletes and volunteers before her October 24 show in Ft. Lauderdale. Everyone then got to stay for the show!
Jo Dee also recorded a series of radio ads for Special Olympics Florida, which aired on WKIS (South FL), throughout October.
While Jo Dee supports Special Olympics on a national level, her involvement actually began right here in Florida when her tour manager and she volunteered at our Summer Games at the University of South Florida. It was her first involvement with Special Olympics and now she’s a worldwide fan!
Pictured: Jo Dee Messina with athlete Kerri Leonardo
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Upcoming Events and Other Stuff!
The rest of 2009 is full of opportunities for you to "be a fan" of Special Olympics Florida. We'll be adding even more events so check out this part of our upcoming newsletters.
Other Stuff
Golf Tourneys: First...a HUGE "thank you!" to everyone who played in, supported and sponsored our many successful golf tournaments this fall...
The first-ever Chuck Smith Golf Classic on October 1 at The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter was sold out! The 13th Annual Special Olympics Florida Golf Classic Heathrow Golf and Country Club on October 5 was a big hit. And our ExxonMobil Golf Open at Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club, on September 22, was a tremendous success!
Facebook: we passed the 1,000 fan mark this month! Rick Renyer was the 1,000th person to become a fan of our Facebook page. If you haven't become a fan of our page yet - do so now! You'll get daily news, exclusive content and you'll get to interact with other Special Olympics Florida fans!
Upcoming Events
State Fall Classic: October 30-31, Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex and venues in Kissimmee and Orlando. 1,220 athletes competing in powerlifting, bowling, gymnastics, roller skating and softball.
Jack in the Park - Weston: NEW EVENT! November 7, Weston Hills Country Club, Weston. Join us for our first annual Jack in the Park in Weston! For a suggested donation of $75, you'll receive entry into the party including food, drink & the blackjack tournament. Get more info and register now!
Special Olympics Florida Golf Classic at Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club: November 13, Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club, Clermont. Shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. This tournament raises funds to cover the expenses associated with the Special Olympics Florida State Golf Championship (for Special Olympics athletes) held September 11-12. Deadline to register is November 3. For more information, contact
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, Special Olympics Florida. Presented by Procter and Gamble. Get more info and register now!
Island Hop - A Special Olympics Florida Evening of Island Adventure NEW EVENT! Saturday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m., Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando. Delectable regional cuisine, refreshing cocktails, live entertainment and a host of activities await you at every turn as you stroll amongst the lush landscaped grounds and tropical waters of Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando. You may even win a trip to one of our many island destinations!
Ready to escape? Visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org/islandhop to start your island adventure!
Jack in the Park - Tampa: NEW EVENT! December 5, Old Hyde Park Village, Tampa. Jack heads to the West coast! Join us for our first annual Jack in the Park in Tampa. For a suggested donation of $75, you'll receive entry into the party including food, drink & the blackjack tournament. Presented by Gray-Robinson Attorneys at Law. Get more info and register now!
Orlando Polar Bear Club: Second annual "plunge" for Special Olympics Florida, Saturday, December 5, 8:30am at Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando. Become an official member of Florida's only Polar Bear Club by going through the 9 degree ICE! attraction in your bathing suit! You'll be freezin' for a good reason! Get your tickets now!
Central Florida High School All-star Football Game: December 17, 7:30PM, Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs. Admission is $5 at the gate, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Florida. This event showcases the best of Central Florida's high school football players and cheerleaders. Love football and Special Olympics? This is the event for you! | | | |
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