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June 26 Golf County Game
July 7 Management Team Meeting
July 26 Athlete Input Council Open House
July 30 Aquatics County Games
July 31 Golf Area Games
To view our full event calendar, click here.
For a list of Summer Volunteer Opportunities, click here.
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DID YOU KNOW....
Sports updates are available to you with 3 easy steps!
Do you find yourself trying to remember what time to meet for a competition? Or cant find your copy of a sports schedule? Or need a copy of a permission slip or flyer?
Our wesbsite has information regarding each sport and copies of paperwork distributed at practice.
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FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Keep up with what is happening on Facebook. We actively post photos and announcements about our program.
www.Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty
(as of the end of May, our online photo galley will be closing and moved to Facebook)
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AQUATICS (SWIMMING) SEASON
Our swim season is off to a great start! Athlete registration is currently closed, but assistant coaches are still needed at Oviedo and RDV.
County Games will be held on Saturday July 30, 2011 at Lake Brantley High School. To volunteer, sign up by July 22, 2011.
Click Here for Details.
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"FALL CLASSIC" SPORTS SEASON
Powerlifting, Bowling, Gymnastics, and Softball
Athletes can register until July 9 if space is available. Please contact Rosemary@SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org or 407-963-5667
For schedules, please click the following links:
Bowling
Powerlifting
Softball
Gymnastics
Reminder: Athletes CANNOT train/compete in a sport without an updated Athlete Physical (Application for Participation) on file. Physicals must be on our Special Olympics Paperwork for insurance purposes. Coaches are required to have these forms on hand at practices/competitions for insurance purposes. Forms are good for three years from the physical examination date and do not need to be re-submitted for each sport, unless the form is expired.
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EQUESTRIAN
Here's a link to a local magazine who wrote a nice article about Equestrians in Seminole County, Florida. Click on the the "Saddle Up Partners" article. See if you can spot the celebrity from Special Olympics Seminole County! Congratulations Elise Hulme and team!
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Equestrian state games were held on Friday and Saturday, May 20th and 21st at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. Thanks to the CHEER volunteers, our horses were groomed and saddled and ready for the athletes to ride. The 3 athletes from CHEER (Circle H Equestrian Event Riders) the Seminole County equestrian team, had a great showing, and the equine athletes provided their riders with steady mounts and superb performance to bring home the medals & ribbons. Each athlete participated in 2 events. The results are as follows:
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Cody Brown
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Ozzie
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1st Place
Gold Medal Pole Bending (Trot/Canter)
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2nd Place Silver Medal Barrels (Trot/Canter)
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Michael Martin
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Forrest Gump
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4th Place
Walk/Trot Trail Assisted
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4th Place
Equitation
Walk/Trot Assisted | |
Greg Ortt
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Ozzie
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1st Place
Gold Medal Barrels (Trot/ Canter)
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2nd Place Silver Medal
Pole Bending (Trot/Canter)
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Coach Elise was beaming with pride as her athletes stepped upon the podium to receive their awards. Coach Elise would like to thank the athletes, the athlete families and her dedicated volunteers for making this past season a memorable one. Hope everyone has a great summer.
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YOUNG ATHLETE CULMINATING EVENT
 On Saturday, July 18, 2011, Special Olympics Seminole County hosted their second Young Athlete Culminating event. Proud families gathered at the YMCA in Lake Mary to watch their young stars take part in exercises and events. Athletes concluded the day with ribbons and certificates.
Congratulations to all the athletes and THANK YOU to the volunteers. To see photos of the fun, please visit our Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty
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2011 BOWL-A-THON A SUCCESS!
Thank You For Supporting the 2011 Bowl-A-Thon!
Together we were able to raise over $6,500 for our athletes. If you would still like to contribute, visit us online at: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/nin-el-khoury/2011bowl-a-thon
Click Here for a Printable Thank You Letter
Visit our facebook page soon for photos of the fun!
Thank you to our Proud Sponsors: Platinum: David Maus Chevrolet
AMF Altamonte Lanes
Silver: Alilin Family Medicine LLC
Bronze: Kaltbaum Capital Management
Law Office of Harry G. Reid, III, P.L.
Gaylord Palms, R.A.P.I.D Programs Inc.
Special Supports: Orlando Magic
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers:
Publix, Kohl's, Home Depot, Advisory Board for Disabled, and Rollins College! |
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SAVE THE DATE
2011 ANNUAL PICNIC AND FUN DAY
Sunday, August 28, 2011 will be our Annual Picnic and Fun Day at Lake Mary High School. This event is a fun-filled afternoon of friendship, music, food, sports sign up, calendar distribution, free physicals and more! Look out for details in next month's newsletter!
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ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS |
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ATHLETE INPUT COUNCIL
"Open House"
The Athlete Input Council is having an "Open House"
July 26, 2011 at the SOSC office.
1225 Bennett Drive, Suite 133, Longwood, FL 32750
This is a great opportunity for other athletes are invited to learn more about SOSC Leadership Programs.
The AIC is for SOSC Athletes over 18, and those that want to broaden their Special Olympics experience!
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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
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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Jason Stein
Young Athlete Program
My wife and I were happy to find an activity for Jason that was outside of his school and therapies. We have a 9 year old older son, Jack (Jason's big brother). Jack is involved in area youth sports and benefits from the physical exercise and the social interactions they provide. My wife and I enjoy the pride of watching Jack participate. We also enjoy making friends with the parents of Jack's teammates.
We started referring to the YAP in our home as "Jason's sports". Our Saturdays now include activities at "Jack's sports' and "Jason's Sports". The YAP or "Jason's sports" gave our family the opportunity to feel the same parental joys and experiences for Jason (in area youth sports) that we have with Jack.
We feel pride when Jason participates in the developmentally appropriate activities at the YAP. Jason wears his sports uniform (YAP T-shirt) each Saturday. Just as his brother wears his uniform each Saturday for his activities. We clap and cheer Jack during his games. We clap and cheer Jason during his games. We stop for snacks after Jack's games. We stop for snacks after Jason's games. Our family loves this.
My wife and I have made friends with other parents of the YAP. At Jason's birthday party last month, almost all of his YAP teammates came. The YAP program is part of our lives now. We are excited to begin Jason's 3rd season when it starts up again!
Jason Stein
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VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH
Barbara and Kristin Costanzo
Young Athletes Program
Special Olympics has been a part of our lives since Kristin was a very little girl. Her first experience was at The Master's School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, at the Special Olympics Junior Games...an annual fun-filled afternoon of activities, games and entertainment.
Upon relocating to Florida we promptly sought out our local Special Olympics program. At that time, Seminole County Special Olympics was growing and over the past 16 years we have grown along with them.
Kristin enrolled in swimming and as time passed she participated in bowling, tennis, basketball, gymnastics and cheerleading. Swimming and bowling remain her favorites and she continues to compete in cheerleading with The City of Altamonte Springs Special Needs Recreation program. While Kristin was busy competing in Special Olympics sports, I was behind the scenes serving on the Management Team, writing the newsletter, inputting forms into the database and coaching a sport here and there.
Approximately two years ago, Marie, our county coordinator, informed us of a new program being offered through Special Olympics------YAP, The Young Athletes Program...............a sports training program for 2-7 year olds. YAP was ready to get started in Seminole and all that was needed was a volunteer to coordinate it. It wasn't long before I (and another Special Olympics mom) decided to take on this project.
As is with all Special Olympics sports, volunteers are the core. I spoke with Kristin and asked her how she felt about expanding her participation in the Special Olympics organization by becoming a volunteer. With her experience as a teacher's aide, I thought this would be a good fit. Her answer was, "Sure, I'd like that," ....and here we are today finishing up our second season.
Kristin has been such an asset to the program. She assists in planning weekly lessons, sets up and tears down the equipment, interacts with the athletes and family members, and helps our coaches communicate with the children through sign language. Kristin is not only a role model for the young athletes, she is an encouragement to the parents as they see what an accomplished young adult she has grown to be.
Seminole's YAP program meets most Saturdays at the Lake Mary YMCA. Currently we have 14 children learning the skills necessary to compete in Special Olympics sports when they are of age. Stop by and join in the fun some time.
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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, July 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 |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!
| Alexander V | Christian S | Jeremy B | | Amelia R. | Cynthia B | Joshua Z | | Ana G | Daniel A | Juan G | | Andrew L | David A | Justin K | | Antonio V | Dean L | Michael M | | Ari S | Earnestina B | Monica C | | Ashley W | Eden F | Nataly H | | Ashley M | Glendon B | Seaira H | | Brendan M | Issac K | Sebastian C | | Cecily P | James C |
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS |
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THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF THE "SEMINOLE SPIRIT"
WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
A TOUCH OF HOPE
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.
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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!
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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
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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 |
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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! | |
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Special Olympics
Seminole County's
Online Photo Gallery will be closing at mid-June Photos will be transferred to our Facebook Page
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We are about to embark on an additional item of our newsletter, which will be a new column entitled "Community Connections".
This will in the future be more inclusive of the many organizations that service the Special Needs population.
If you are a member of a relating organization or know of one that you would like promoted, please send an email to enews@special olympicsseminolecounty.org
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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. |
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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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 |
RAPID PROGRAMS
"The Vision of RAPID Programs, Inc is to create a day long activity center where a committed team of trained staff and volunteers will provide learning skills, activities and physical training for young adults with special needs. Our goal is to provide support for families with young adults who have cognitive deficiencies, mental disabilities, autism and physical limitations.
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