Special Olympics Seminole County

 Be a Fan of Opportunity. Be a Fan of Acceptance. Be a Fan of Special Olympics.
March/April                 Seminole Spirit2011
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendar
Sports Update
Young Athlete Program
Special Events
Polar Plunge
Athlete Leadership Programs
Recognition
Management Team
Birthdays
Outreach
SOSC on Facebook
Thank You to Our Sponsors
How to Make a Donation
SOFL and SOI
MARK YOUR CALENDAR

 

Mar 24        Athlete Input Council Meeting

 

April 3         Golf Registration 

April 7         Management Team Meeting

April 9         Summer Sports Area Games

April 28       Athlete Input Council Meeting 

 

 

To view our full event calendar, please click here.

 

SPORTS UPDATE
"SUMMER SPORTS" COUNTY GAMES
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

Bocce, Cycling, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Soccer

 

   

Summer Sports County Games was held on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Thank you to everyone who made the fun day of competition possible, including a groups from: Christian Life Center, Daytona State College, Lake Howell Junior Civitan Club, Lyman Junior Optimist Club, Lyman National Honors Society, Trinity Preparatory School, Knights of Columbus St. Patrick Assembly, Lions Club, South Seminole Optimist Club, and First Baptist Church of Oviedo. 

 

Photos have been posted on our online photo gallery and facebook page.

 

Good Luck Seminole athletes at Area Games on Saturday, April 9, 2011. 

 


    EQUESTRIAN

Equestrian area games were held on Saturday, March 12th at Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona, Florida.
The riders from CHEER (Circle H Equestrian Event Riders) the games were hosted by Triple Diamond Ranch of Orange County. Thanks to the CHEER volunteers, our horses were groomed and saddled and ready
for the athletes to ride.
  
The riders from CHEER (Circle H Equestrian Event Riders) the Seminole County equestrian team, had
a great showing. The equine athletes provided their Special Olympic
athletes with steady mounts and superb performance to bring home the ribbons. 
Each athlete participated in 2 events.  The results are as follows:

Cody Brown - Ozzie
1st Place - Pole Bending (trot/canter)
2nd Place - Barrels (trot / canter)
  
Michael Martin - Axle
1st place - (walk/trot trail assisted)
4th Place -  Equitation (walk/trot assisted)
  
Tammy Schlier - Axle
1st place - Trail Walk (assisted)
2nd Place  - Equitation (walk assisted)
  
Greg Ortt - Ozzie
1st Place - Barrels (trot/canter)
2nd Place - Pole Bending (trot/canter)
  
Mandy Petruzelli - Forest Gump
1st Place - Prix Caprilli (walk/trot independent)
2nd Place - Barrels (walk/trot)
  
Coach Elise was proud of the athletes' performance and looks forward to State Games in May in Tampa.  Because each athlete earned a 1st place in one of their events, all the CHEER athletes are eligible to participate.  The state team will be announced in mid-April.  
GOLF SEASON BEGINS 

  

Golf Season Registration for athletes, unified partners and coaches will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Mayfair Country Club at 5:30pm. 

 

Mayfair Country Club

 3536 Country Club Road
Sanford, FL 32773-4700

 

Please contact Coach Tim Hagan for details at 407-538-9267 or 

  tim.hagan@gmail.com

 

YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  
 

Seminole's Young Athletes Program continues to hold practices most Saturdays at the YMCA in Lake Mary. While we have quite a few local high school and college students joining us each week, we are still in need of a few more helping hands. Practices run much more smoothly when we have a 1:1 ratio of athlete to volunteer.

 

Seminole County's YAP program provides an innovative sports play program for children with intellectual disabilities ages 2-7 years and their peers. It is designed to introduce them into the world of sports and assist them as they grow physically, cognitively and socially.

 

If you need more info about our program for your child or are interested in volunteering contact Barbara Costanzo 407-718-3259 barbc@cfl.rr.com

Please click here for schedule.   

SPECIAL EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE... 2011 BOWL-A-THON 

The 2011 Bowl-A-Thon will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Save the date and get ready for all the FUN! 
ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
ATHLETE INPUT COUNCIL    
 The Athlete Input Council serves as representatives and leaders for SOSC athletes. Our next meeting will be:

 Thursdy, March 31
, 2011 at 6:30 - 8:00pm  
1225 Bennett Drive, Suite 133, Longwood, FL 32750


For more information, please contact:

Kevin Lajeunesse,
407-257-7730 or
Kevin@SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org
  
GLOBAL MESSENGER 
 
  The role of the Global Messenger is to help promote the Special Olympics. Global Messengers are expected to go out in the community to speak to about the joy of participating in Special Olympics. 

We are very fortunate, and most proud to have two Global Messengers for Seminole County:
Chris Friedman
and
Richard Mendola
  
We encourage the community to "listen to our athletes".  If you are interested in having Chris or Richard speak to your company or organization, please contact:
Kevin Lajeunesse, 407-257-7730 or  
Kevin@specialolympicsseminolecounty.org 

RECOGNITION

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

 

Jimmy Riske

 

 

Cycling, Baskeball and Bowling

 

Jimmy has MD and has been coping with his disease by participating in Special Olympics for about 13 years. He loves the competition and the activities have improved his attitude work and his caretakers.  The sports activities have also made him more confident in his own skills and ability to cope with everyday work and in working with others.  Also I can see a big improvement in his confidence.We look forward to even more improvement in  the future as he progresses in his work  and sports and we give a great deal of  credit to those whose support has  been so rewarding.  A special thanks to his coach Kevin who tirelessly works with Jimmy and has helped him so much.  I know  we can look forward to continued improvement in his work, and attitude.  We appreciate everyone who has helped Jimmy and especially his coach, Kevin who he looks up to as a role model.

 

 

 

 

 

  

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Joanna Babyar

Tennis Coach

What a blessing this season of Special Olympics Tennis has been for me. Every Saturday I am blown away by the dedication of all the athletes and their parents. As a professional
tennis player I learned so much about winning and losing. Every time I stepped on the court was a learning experience about how to do my best and be my best even in the toughest times. I am humbled by the positive attitudes and drive of  all my tennis athletes - it just comes so easy to each one of them. I learn just
as much from them as they learn from me. I was so excited when
the opportunity to coach tennis for Special Olympics came up in January at Red  Bug Lake Park where I work as a tennis pro. I didn't hesitate - I said "Sign Me Up!" I know the joy that Special Olympics brings to everyone involved. It is such an honor to be given the Volunteer of the Month but I couldn't do it alone.
I have incredible help every Saturday from other volunteers that give of their time. Thank you so much to Special Olympics for all you do and thank you again.

 

MANAGEMENT TEAM

  Whether you are a parent, guardian, educator or volunteer you can help us make a difference!
If you are interested in joining a committee!   

Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 6:30pm

1225 Bennett Drive, Suite 133, Longwood, FL 32750
For more info: Marie El-khoury at 407-782-0525 or
Marie@SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org

MARCH BIRTHDAYS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!
 

Ajay M

Jennifer LMargaret J
Amanda PJoanne WMeggan V
Bonnie PJohn SPrashiv C
Brandon DJohnny ARichard U
Brett JJoshua GRobert W
Chris FJoshua VSamantha S
Conor GJulie JSaris G
Emily FKristina WStephanie C
Zachariah PTim LTalil B
Valorie S

  

OUTREACH

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS WANTED

Special Olympics Seminole County has the potential to spread the joy of Special Olympics to hundreds of new athletes... but we need YOU!

SOSC is in need of passionate and dedicated volunteers to join our committees and team of coaches. This can include: registration, training, competition, fundraising, school based programs, and more!

Volunteer duties would be at least 5-10 hours a month with a preferred commitment of at least a year. A majority of work can be completed at the work site of your choice, whether home or our donated office space. Computer knowledge is preferred.

For more information, please contact Ranwa Nin El-khoury at RanwaNin@SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org

"Your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more."  
SOSC ON FACEBOOK
 
Click Here to become a Facebook Fan of Special Olympics Seminole County. Chat with parents, coaches, supporters and keep up with events and updates. 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF THE  "SEMINOLE SPIRIT"
 
     WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

 
 A TOUCH OF HOPE
Year Sponsor
 

For only $25... Your sponsorship helps support the cost of printing the hard copy of the newsletter and pays for the email marketing program used to distribute the e-news.

 
Would you like to sponsor a newsletter?
Please contact Winston Jones at 407-923-3902
We encourage you to consider supporting those who support Special Olympics Seminole County! Recognition of support/sponsorship of SOSC does not constitute endorsement by Special Olympics.
 

 
Special Olympics Seminole County relies greatly on assistance from Sponsors. They are always in need, not only to provide financial help, but to offer safe and productive training facilities to our athletes. Without the generous donations of many organizations, our athletes would not have the facilities, equipment, volunteers or funds to train and compete on a year-round basis for free. We all appreciate everyone's support!  

HOW TO MAKE A DONATION TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS SEMINOLE COUNTY

SOSC is funded primarily through individual and corporate contributions, grants, sponsorships, and yearly fundraisers. This financial assistance covers many essential expenses including equipment, uniforms, transportation, meals, lodging, volunteer training, and more. Any contribution or assistance you can provide to help SOSC meet these financial goals is greatly appreciated! If you would like to make a donation by mail, please send your contribution to the following address:

Special Olympics Seminole County
PO Box 520742
Longwood, FL 32750-0742

    SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA

SPECIAL OLYMPICS INTERNATIONAL

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons eight years of age and older with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics Athletes, and the community.
 
To Learn More About Special Olympics and it's History Click Here

On behalf of Special Olympics Seminole County, we appreciate all the Volunteers, Coaches, Sponsors and Donors who have contributed their time, talents and treasures to help make our program a success!

Join Our Mailing List
  
Special Olympics
Seminole County's
Online Photo Gallery
 
Recent Photos Added:
  
QUICK LINKS 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Vocational Rehabilitation
Casselberry
Have you ever thought about getting a job+  Having extra money to spend?  Being more independent.?
 
Vocational Rehabilitation Services can help you achieve those goals.  We are state a agency whose job is to assist people with disabilities to obtain employment.  We provide assessment, job coaching, and supported employment services to those that need that extra help. If you live in Seminole County we have two offices to serve you, in Sanford and Casselberry. 
 
We have an open orientation in the Casselberry office every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8:45 a.m. 
 
 Vocational Rehabilitation Services. 
917 East 436.  Casselberry, FL. 32707. 
Call or have someone call for you, to get further directions. 
407-262-7428. 
If you really want to get a job we can help you.

The City of Altamonte Springs Special Community Services and the Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc. provide social activities throughout the year at minimal cost to the mentally and physically challenged population in Altamonte Springs surrounding communities.

I CAN SPEAK CAMPAIGN

in conjuction with the

Seminole County Public Schools

 

Do you have an "extra" iPhone or iPod after upgrading to a new one? Wondering what to do with your

old one? There is a great opportunity for you if you answered yes to either question !

There are students with special needs, such as those with autism, who can use these devices to communicate

and enhance their educational programs! Some of these students attend your zoned school.

By donating your old iPhone or iPod it can be used with specially designed applications to help a child,

who is not able to verbally communicate, to have a voice!

 

Click Here for More Information

 
 Through quality and innovation, Quest has built communities where people with disabilities have achieved their goals for more than 40 years. From a variety of residential and employment options, to behavioral therapy and even a recreational summer camp, Quest serves more than 1,000 individuals on any given day in Central Florida. By offering these opportunities to learn, live, work and play, children and adults can imagine and achieve their full capabilities.
 
Serving kids with all types of special needs, including cerebral palsy,  Down Syndrome, autism, speech and developmental delays, vision and hearing impairments 

CARD serves children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism, autistic-like disabilities, pervasive developmental disorders, dual sensory impairments (deaf-blindness), or a vision or hearing loss in addition to other disabling conditions.

 
Nathaniel's Hope was founded in 2002 to meet the needs of kids with special needs (VIP Kids) and their families. VIP Kids are those with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those that are medically fragile. Through their personal experience with their son Nathaniel, co-founders Tim and Marie Kuck saw first-hand how demanding it can be to raise a child with special needs. 

Agency for Persons with Disabilities

 The APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. APD also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.

Florida Disabilities Council

 The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) is a non-profit organization funded through federal assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The Council accomplishes its mission by supporting innovative initiatives that demonstrate new approaches to enhance the independence, productivity, inclusion and self-determination of individuals with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
Down Syndrome Association Of Central Florida
The Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida is the leading voice for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We offer hope, encouragement and acceptance through advocacy, education and awareness so that each may realize their potential as members of our community. 

Autism Society of Greater Orlando  
The mission or goal of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando is that all individuals within the autism spectrum will be provided a lifetime network of opportunities to become fully accepted, included, and actively participating members of our community, through family support, education, and advocacy, and public awareness. 

Lighthouse of Central Florida
Provides life-changing services for blind and sight-impaired babies, children, teens and adults, seniors and their families in Orange, Osceola, Seminole counties and The Villages.
 
Is your child in need of special services in school?  Is he struggling?  Have his grades been dropping? Is he having behavioral problems?  Have you been trying to get the school system to evaluate your child and they ignore you?
 
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.
 
GARDENS OF LIFE
 Committed to educating and empowering adults to discover their full potential and achieve independent life skills addressing their social, recreational, vocational and residential needs.
 The Culture Garden offers participants opportunity to shine like the stars they are in the
Gardens of Life, Inc
  
2011 GLIDING STARS ICE SHOW - A TRIBUTE TO BROADWAY

Show time: 
Sunday 3/27/11 
5:30 pm - 7:15 pm
 
Please arrive by 5:00
 
Tickets for the show will be available at the door.  All seats are $5.00 per person.  Raffle tickets will also be available for the basket raffle.  Raffle tickets are $1.00 each.
RDV Sportsplex Ice Den
8701 Maitland Summit Blvd
Orlando, FL 32810
Phone: 407-916-2550
  

SPECIAL POPULATION DANCES 

Mentally and physically challenged teens and adults are invited to join the Oviedo-Winter Springs Optimist Club and the Oviedo Recreation and Parks Department for a night of dancing once a month.

Frankie the DJ will play family and friendly music.

Prizes costume and

will be awarded for costume and dance contests.

Birthdays will be celebrated. Snacks will be served. Please come and have some family fun!

 

February 25, 2011

March 25, 2011

April 15, 2011

May 27, 2011

June 17, 2011

 

Riverside Park, 1600 Lockwood Blvd., Oviedo

407-971-5575

7:00pm - 9:00pm

$2 per particpant and $1 per guest attending

 

For more information, please contact

:

Anne Marie Sargent

407-359-5014

amsargent@cfl.rr.com

 

Jenette McKinney

407-971-5591

jdmckinney@cityofoeviedo

.net

Sp
Dedicated to Serving Those With Special Needs!