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Contact Us | |
Hotline:
407-263-8043
Fax:
407-637-2370
Mail To:
Special Olympics
Seminole County
PO Box 520742
Longwood, FL 32752-0742
Donated Office Space:
Brauser Business Center
1225 Bennett Drive
Suite 133
Longwood, FL 32750
Special Olympics Florida:
www.SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org
352-243-9536
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Community Connections | |
We are striving to provide a comprehensive resources 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@specialolympicsseminolecounty.org |
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Community Announcements | |
Project Mindful
Project Mindful will be a non-profit agency that will partner with local community organizations, doctors, schools and hospitals to get vital information to new and existing parents of children with special needs. There is a "social disconnect" between outstanding resources available in the community and the people that can benefit from them. It is the mission of Project Mindful to close this gap.
I would like for you to take a few minutes to complete an online survey that will help us compile information prudent to our mi
ssion.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T2QQ22B
The survey should take you less than 5 minutes to complete.
Thank you in advance for your participation
www.projectmindful.org
http://www.myprojectmindful.blogspot.com/
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Community Resources | |
AUTISM
BLIND SERVICES
CAMPS
DISABILITY SERVICES
DOWN SYNDROME
EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
INDEPENDENT LIVING
RECREATION
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UPCOMING DATES | |
Jan 31 Athlete Input Council
Feb 2 Management Team Meeting
Feb 3-4 Basketball State Games
Feb 11 Basketball End of Season Party
Feb 25 Volleyball County Games
Feb 28 Athlete Input Council Meeting
To view our full event calendar, click here.
For an ongoing list of volunteer opportunities, click here.
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2011-2012 CALENDAR | | |
Online Registration for Athletes
Click here to download our 2011-12 Event/Registration Calendar
Athletes can now register for a sport online. Registration is required and will remain open Monday-Friday a week before the start date (see dates in link above). In-person Registration is also available for those who wish to meet coaches, ask questions, etc. Event times, locations, and details will be published in our monthly e-newsletter and will be posted online on our "Sports" tab. An ongoing list of volunteer opportunities is also available online. All dates are tentative and dependent on the number of volunteers available and the donation of practice facilities.
Volunteer Opportunities Available Online
Please click here to view on going Volunteer Opportunities.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics Movement. Volunteers may serve as often as desired by becoming involved as a coach, an assistant coach or showing up on game day to carry out certain assignments or sharing their expertise with others on the County Management Team. As a Special Olympics Volunteer, you can meet people, share ideas, master skills & make a difference.
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SUMMER SPORTS IN SESSION
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Volleyball, Tennis, Track, Soccer, Cycling, Bocce
Summer Sports season consist of 6 different sports. Training is held from January-May. Athletes must chose one sport to compete in (although they are allowed to train in multiple sports). If an athlete is training in multiple sports within the same season, they need to need to notify their coaches before County Games as to which sport they are choosing to compete in.
Schedules:
Schedules are posted online for each sport. Click the SPORTS page to download them.
County Games:
Saturday, February 25, 2012 - Volleyball
Saturday, March 10, 2012- Tennis, Soccer, Track, Cycling, Bocce
Click here for flier
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BASKETBALL SEASON
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2011-2012 Season
Basketball Area Games was held on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Congratulations to all the teams who competed.
State Games will be held on February 3-4, 2012 at Patrick Air Force Base. Good Luck to the Panthers and Magic who will be advancing!
End of Season Party will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Click Here for flier.
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YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM | |
YAP Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to assist with SOSC's Young Athletes Program (YAP). The Young Athletes Program is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities and their peers,designed to introduce them into the world of sports. These activities will help the children improve physically,cognitively and socially.
Practices: Practices are held on Saturdays at the YMCA in Lake Mary from 12:30-1:30pm
How to volunteer: Energetic volunteers are needed to assist with weekly practices. Participation in full/complete season not required.
To sign up, please send your availability to: Barbara Costanzo, 407-718-3259, barbc@cfl.rr.com or click here to download program schedule |
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POWERLIFTING COMPETITION
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Athlete Michael Fryer and Chris Friedmann, accompanied by Coach Tom Dees recently attended a powerlifting competition in Georgia. Congratulations to both athletes who broke personal records.
Michael won a silver medal in deadlift (personal record of 165lbs), gold medal in squat, silver medal in bench press and gold medal overall competition. He was a 4 medal winner in his division.
Chris reached a personal record on deadlift with a lift of 286lbs and a personal record on squat of 285lbs. Chris received gold in all three of his lifts and gold overall.
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EQUESTRIAN | |
The Special Olympics Seminole County Equestrian Team C.H.E.E.R. participated in the Orlando Arabian Horse Show, their first show of their 2011-2012 season. The show was held on Saturday, October 29th, at Clarcona Horseman's Park in Apopka.
Click Here for the full article |
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SEMINOLE COUNTY SCHOOLS
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Dear Parents, Volunteers, Athletes, and Coaches
By Dr. Coury M. Knowles
The Young Athletes Program (YAP) is ongoing within
Seminole County Public Schools through our PreK classrooms.
Currently, Mrs. Karen Owens, Evan's Elementary YAP site coordinator has begun her training. She is working on the fundamental skills of walking/running. As of Wednesday, 1/18/12
Mrs. Owens is in her third session of training and plans to have twelve practices before her culminating event.
Next, I am working with Ms. Liz Woodruff at Lake Orienta Elementary to establish a YAP program within her classroom. I hope to get it kicked off by March of this year. I look forward to more schools embracing our YAP movement soon. Unfortunately, my proposal to Professional Development on securing a way our site coordinators/coaches can earn points toward re-certification did not meet the Florida Department of Education's requirements. With this setback, I am accepting any ideas that will help YAP grow within our schools.
In the meantime, my colleague, Mr. Darren Carlton and I are attending the 2012 STATE COACHES CONFERENCE to experience T.R.A.I.N. (Testing Recreational Activities and Improving Nutrition) courtesy of the Exceptional Student Support Services department and Seminole County Special Olympics. TRAIN is a program developed by Special Olympics to track and improve athlete health and quality of life. TRAIN is designed to be set up at a Special Olympics event, but is also suitable for use in a school or group setting. We are looking forward to the conference and believe that T.R.A.I.N. will help us integrate YAP into your school.
Thanks for your time and Take care.
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DID YOU KNOW... | | |
Sports Updates are Available in 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? Well... Our website has information regarding each sport and copies of paperwork distributed at practice.
- Visit www.SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org
- Click Sports
- Simply select the sport you are invovled in and download the information you need.
- Online registration is also available at this page. (Registration is now required for all upcoming sports)
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MANAGEMENT TEAM MEETING | | |
First Thursday of Every Month
Whether you are a parent, guardian, educator or volunteer you can help us make a difference! If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact us.
The Next Meeting is:
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 6:30pm
SOSC Donated Office Space in the Brauser Business Center
1225 Bennett Drive, Suite 133, Longwood, FL 32750
For more info: Marie El-khoury at 407-782-0525 or
Marie@SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org
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POLAR PLUNGE
| | Help us DOUBLE our money this week!
 We are so grateful that Robert Palmer from RP Funding has agreed to match all the money that athlete and plunger Kristin Costanzo raises! That's right, dollar for dollar, he will double it! If you would like to contribute to Kristin's plunge, and double your money for Special Olympics Seminole County, visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kristincostanzo/2012 Thank you Robert Palmer for your kindness and support of Special Olympics Seminole County!
The Polar Plunge is a great way for supporters to raise money for Special Olympics by donating to a brave soul who plunges into freezing cold water!! We had many brave plungers in Seminole County that took the Plunge on January 21, 2012. Plungers included:
 Kristin Costanzo on the RP Funding team
Andra Fryer, Charbel & Nin El-khoury on "Plungn' Magic"
Maria and Sal Loporto as "Snow Buddies"
and Jeff Stein, father of a "Yapper"
Thank you to all those who donated and supported our Plungers!
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ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS |
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ATHLETE INPUT COUNCIL MEETING
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The AIC is for SOSC Athletes over 17, and those that want to broaden their Special Olympics experience. This is a great opportunity for other athletes to share their knowledge and passion with other athletes, coaches, volunteers and community organizations.
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 6:30pm
SOSC Donated Office Space in the Brauser Business Center
1225 Bennett Drive, Suite 133, Longwood, FL 32750
For more information, please contact: Kevin Lajeunesse, 407-257-7730 or
Kevin@SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org
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GLOBAL MESSENGERS | |
Athletes Spreading the Message
The role of the Global Messenger is to help promote the good news of 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/ Kevin@specialolympicsseminolecounty.org |
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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH |
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Monica Hernandez
Track n Field and Basketball
by her father,
Angel
I would like to nominate Monica for Athlete of the Month.There is so much to say about Monica, but I'll keep it short. As you know, Monica is extremely dedicated to Special Olympics. She knows everyone and helps to keep the athletes, and coaches/volunteers, on track.
She has been in SO since she was 8/9 years old and although she started with Bowling and has tried soccer, cycling and swimming - basketball and track are her favorite sports.
Monica looks forward to Basketball and Track seasons every year. We never have to worry about her wanting to go to practice or participate in an event. Monica goes out of her way to meet new athletes and make them feel welcome. She also remembers all the deadlines.
She is my Athlete of the Month every month. |
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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH | | |
Tracy Sonas
Basketball
I started with Special Olympics in the 1980's- AT&T was a spnsor for Special Olympics. My mother worjed for AT&T and they needed volunteers. My mother and sister and myself went for the day - I was hooked. I was a support person, gave encouragement, hugs and smiles! So, from that point on I volunteer every chance I had. After a few years I decided to step it up and wanted to coach. I love sports so I wanted to use that to help the athletes.
I started working with an agency that had the athletes there to practice, so I started taking the classes in different sports to coach. I was with Duval County for 7 yrs. Then I moved and starte coaching in Alachua County. I then moved to back to Orange County. I now live here in Wonderful Seminole County. |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANUARY ATHLETES
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| Andrea O | Edward B | Maria D | | Brandon B | Fred G | Nealesh M | | Clayton R | Jacob C | Patrick M | | Collin S | Jimmy L | Raymond G | | Donnel R | John F | Tammy D | | Eduardo P | Kyle B | Yariel A |
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THIS MONTH WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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This can be YOU!
Want to Sponsor the E-newsletter?
For only $25...Your sponsorship helps support the cost associated with distributing the monthly 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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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS | | |
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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DONATE | | |
How to contribute to 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.
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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