November 2014

Polar Plunge Registration is Open!

We are excited to announce that registration is now live for the 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois! Start gathering your family, friends, classmates and co-workers to join you for the "coolest" event of winter.

Additionally, we have a new and improved online registration platform that we are sure you will love. Questions on how to get started? View these step-by-step instructions or "how to" video.

Join the conversation and tell us who you will #PlungeFor in 2015. For more information, contact us at 1-800-394-0562.

McKendree University Adds SO Athletes to Teams

Special Olympics athlete Gordon Adams has joined the McKendree University bass fishing team as an honorary member

The McKendree University bass fishing team was joined by an honorary team member at its Sept. 27 Fall Invitational held on Carlyle Lake. Special Olympics athlete Gordon Adams joined the team as an honorary team member and assisted in many aspects of the tournament, including bagging and weighing the catches of the day, and drawing out names for the attendance prices.

The bass fishing team was the first team this year to have an honorary team member at an event, but nine other teams will join them by providing a spot for Special Olympics athletes. Read More

Inspire Greatness Gala a Success

L-R: Dan Doheny, Matthew Williams, Nick Senase, Deming Fanslau and Karen Wilson

Special Olympics Illinois held its 7th Annual Inspire Greatness Gala on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. The evening was chaired by Dan Doheny, Chief Financial Officer of Reyes Holdings, and co-chaired by Karen Wilson, President and CEO of Make Corporation.

The highlight of the Gala was the special athlete profile that shared Deming Fanslau's inspirational story appropriately titled "No Limits." Watch the "No Limits" video and view photos from the evening.

Deming and his fellow athletes/Global Messengers Matthew Williams and Nick Senase presented a speech to the 450 guests in attendance that resulted in a standing ovation and multiple rounds of applause-they wowed the crowd! Read More

Training Prepares Athletes, Coaches for Flag Football

On Saturday, Nov. 1, Special Olympics flag football teams from across Southern Illinois converged on Trenton Community Park in Trenton, for the inaugural Special Olympics Illinois Flag Football Development Training Tournament, presented by Prudential Financial. The event featured more than 100 athletes on 10 teams.

The 5-a-side co-ed format showcased five Special Olympics flag football teams from Southern/Area 15, three from Southeastern/Area 14, and two from host Southwestern/Area 12. The event's main focus was a training session for coaches, athletes and officials and instructional scrimmages. The afternoon featured competitive games. View a video and photos from the flag football event. Read More

Athlete's Mom Travels From Ohio to See Son Compete

Pauline Bailey traveled from Ohio to see her son, David Long, compete at Fall Games

David Long of Jacksonville may have had the supporters who traveled the farthest distance to watch him compete in the Fall Games in Rockford when his mother and her friend drove in from Lebanon, Ohio.

Pauline Bailey and Susan, Hopkins, her friend and driver, traveled more than 350 miles or about 8 hours to see David, whose 60th birthday was Oct. 29.

Pauline, 93, was thrilled to watch David compete with his Pathway Services Unlimited team compete in modified volleyball at Harlem High School in Machesney Park on Oct. 26. The team, Jacksonville Gold, captured bronze medals in their division. View photos and results from Fall Games.

First Look for Charity

The 2015 First Look for Charity Auto Show Preview Event will be held Friday, Feb.13, at McCormick Place in Chicago, and we are honored to return as one of the 18 benefiting

Justin & Jessica Grammer at 2014 First Look for Charity event

charities to this premiere, black-tie event.

This annual black-tie affair provides attendees with a "first look" at the nation's largest auto show before it opens to the public. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment along with hors d'oeuvres, champagne, wine and desserts while strolling the show floor that boasts more than 1,000 new vehicles! Attendees will also have the chance to go home in a 2015 Ford Explorer or a 2015 Ford Fusion (winner must be present).

The proceeds of your ticket purchase benefit Special Olympics Illinois, if you designate us as your charity of choice. Designate Special Olympics Illinois as your charity of choice and you can join us in our Venetian Masquerade Cocktail Lounge, before and after the event! Read More

Speakers Group Pairs With SO for ALPs Training

Global Messengers

Special Olympics Illinois is thrilled to be partnering with the National Speakers Association of Illinois (NSA-IL) for a fall Athlete Leadership Training. The NSA is the premier organization for professional speakers. Members from the NSA-IL chapter will facilitate a one-day training with multiple sessions designed to improve, enhance and further develop the speaking and presentation skills of our Global Messengers. This workshop will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Addison. Read More

Young Athletes Spotlight - Sadie Fiedler

Sadie Fiedler

Sadie Fiedler is a well-rounded 7-year-old from Rochester who is a social butterfly and loves to be surrounded by friends. Although she's only in first grade, Sadie has already had a lot of opportunities with Special Olympics and beyond!

She started her sporting career with gymnastics at the age of 5. Loving being active, Sadie wanted to try more sports and, in October 2013, Sadie tried her hand at basketball.

Her mother, Barb Fiedler, worked with Special Olympics staff to sign Sadie up for her first Special Olympics Young Athletes exhibition. Sadie participated in basketball individual skills at the State Basketball Tournament. She had such a great experience that she wanted to try EVERY sport Special Olympics has to offer. Read More

Drink Prairie Farm Milk, Give to What Mooves You

Special Olympics Illinois is proud to be one of the selected charities supported by Prairie Farms Milk Our Caps Your Cause program. Our Caps Your Cause is a simple and personal way to support SOILL.

Everyday, our families and friends drink milk with their meals. Save the caps from Prairie Farms milk, visit their website, select Special Olympics Illinois as your charity and enter the cap code. That's it! For every code redeemed, Prairie Farms gives 5 cents to SOILL - small change that makes a big difference! To date, more than 1,000 caps have been redeemed on our behalf. Spread the word and thanks for supporting of our programs and athletes!

Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., a cooperative company owned by dairy farmers, has been supplying consumers with wholesome dairy products since 1938. The company is dedicated to addressing the needs of consumers and adapting to provide the right mix of products. Since Feb. 1, 2008, the raw milk supplied by its farmers comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones.

Reserve Your Parking with SpotHero, Help SOILL

Special Olympics Illinois is proud to announce an official partnership with SpotHero, an on-demand parking application that allows you to search for parking, compare discounted rates and reserve a guaranteed spot.

Not only will SpotHero donate $5 every time you park at a Special Olympics Illinois event, but it is also offering a 5 percent discount off your personal parking rate. To activate this deal, visit SpotHero's webpage or download the iPhone/Android app. Enter promotion code SPECIAL before your purchase.

Thank you to SpotHero for this incredible opportunity, and thank you to all of our Special Olympics Illinois friends for making our goal a reality. Happy Parking!