|
|
|
July 26 Athlete Input Council Open House
July 30 Aquatics County Games
Aug 4 Management Team Meeting
Aug 6 Golf Area Games
Aug 13 Softball Tournament
Aug 20 County Games- Bowling & Powerlifting
Aug 22 County Games- Rhythmic Gymnastics
Aug 22 RSVP Deadline Annual Family Fun Day
Aug 23 County Games- Artistic Gymnastics
Aug 27 Aquatics Area Games
Aug 28 Annual Family Fun Day
To view our full event calendar, click here.
For an ongoing list of volunteer opportunities, click here .
|
|
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.
|
|
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)
|
|
AQUATICS (SWIMMING) SEASON
County Games will be held on Saturday July 30, 2011 at Lake Brantley High School.
Athletes, coaches and volunteers- click here for details.
Area Games will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the YMCA on I-Drive. Information will be handed out to athletes at practices.
|
|
"FALL CLASSIC" SPORTS SEASON
Powerlifting, Bowling, Gymnastics, and Softball
Our Fall Classic sports are off to a great start and County Games are just around the corner.
To volunteer at County Games, click here for details.
Bowling- August 20
Powerlifting- August 20
Gymnastics- August 22 and 23
|
|
YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM
FALL 2011
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
YAP will be starting its Fall session in late August for athletes ages 2-7. To find out more information on volunteering or getting involved, please click here for details and schedule.
|
|
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!
Click here to sign up by August 22
|
|
ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS |
|
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!
|
|
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
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS AT WORLD GAMES
BRITTANY TAGLIARENI
Seminole County athlete Brittany recently traveled the Athens Greece to compete in Special Olympics World Games. She proudly brought home the GOLD! Please visit the following link to view photos and videos of her accomplishments!
Photos on SOFL Facebook
Article and Video on WOFL Fox 35
|
|
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Chris Nikic
GOLF
My husband and I are so happy to have found the Special Olympics golf for Chris. After many years of Physical Therapy he slowly began to make progress with balance, running, playing catch, etc. Chris tried different physical activities like tee ball, basketball and soccer. We have a 21 year old daughter who just graduated from college and has been playing basketball since the age of six. Chris grew up in the gym watching her play and wanting and trying to perform like her. While he still enjoys playing basketball and has made many friends while doing so, Special Olympics golf has given him a chance to find his own, separate identity. He began playing a new sport, a sport that his sister can't keep up with him in, which has given him a sense of pride. He is able to go out and play every week with his father. It's a joy to hear the stories of how the 9 holes were played during dinner on Sunday night. We are grateful to Coach Tim Hagan, the Seminole County Special Olympic Team of support, and the Mayfair Golf Club for giving the athletes such a great opportunity to learn the game of Golf. Chris started out a few years ago with the Golf skills division, and this year he's playing the 9 hole event. Since playing golf, he is able to have that special father/son bond through a sport that will hopefully last him a life time. In the mean time, he is learning, laughing, competing, and continues to make new friends. This has been such a great opportunity for Chris and we know it will continue to enrich his life as he continues to grow into a strong, confident, young man. |
|
VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH
Kaitlyn Hite
Swimming
Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Hite and I am a freshman in college at Saint Leo University. I have worked with Special Olympics as a swim coach for three years and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. As a graduate of Lake Brantley High School, I know what it is like to overcome obstacles and set high goals for yourself. The athletes in the Special Olympics program do those things every day and have motivated me to do so myself, even when I may not feel like I am capable or willing to do them. When I was first asked to join and was introduced to the Special Olympics as a young high school freshman, I never dreamed I would be sitting here today with so many lifelong friends from the Special Olympics and the drive to remain as a volunteer for this wonderful program. As I look into my future as a college student and beyond, I know that Special Olympics will always be a part of my life. I thank all the people that I have worked with over the past few years and I look forward to volunteering with them for many summers to come. Thank you and God bless.
|
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, August 4, 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!
| Aaron S | Daniel B | Jordon A | Samar S | | Alice M | Daniel C | Joseph C | Samuel H | | Anthony M | Delaney K | Latrice H | Sandra R | | Ben S | Devin D | Mark T | Terrance H | | Brittany R | Elizabeth A | Matthew S | Trenten C | | Carol C | George G | Oscar R | Tucker J | | Carol M | Jacklyn N | Richard M | Zachary H | | Daniel A | James R | Samantha D | Zachery D |
|
|
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS |
|
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.
|
|
THANK YOU TO OUR
SPORTS SONSORS:
Mayfair Country Club provides our golf athletes with a free training facility during golf season. Thank you for your support!
Mayfair Country Club
407.322.2531
Ask about our $89.00
Sun & Fun Membership Special!
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
|
|
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! | |
|
|
|
Special Olympics
Seminole County's
Online Photo Gallery will be closing at mid-June Photos will be transferred to our Facebook Page
|
|
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
|
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 |
|
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. |
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.
|
|
