Heather Davis was our speaker last Friday as she updated everyone on the happenings of Special Olympics Illinois. Heather began her position at Special Olympics last July and is a native of Collinsville, Illinois. She graduated Quincy University in the early 90's and has a Master's Degree in Education. Heather mentioned that there are currently 254 Special Olympic athletes from 10 years old on up. That number should be round 700. There are also 354 Special Olympic athletes who are between the ages of 3 to 7. There are some 800 different events these athletes compete in yearly with the Spring Games being the biggest along with the basketball tournaments. The competition can lead to appearances in the Nationals and the World Games as well. Special Olympics also has a Healthy Athletes program to assist athletes in keeping them healthy plus a Global Messenger program to assist them with speaking. The Special Olympic's office has been in the WCU Building in Quincy but theyhave now teamed up and moved in with Q-Town Cross Fit in their building on 12th Street. They are always in need of volunteers to help with fund-raising for events like the upcoming Polar Plunge at Moorman Lake in Quincy on Saturday, February 28th at 12 noon. The Polar Plunge is a unique opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes by taking a flying leap into the frigid waters of Moorman Lake. Participants must raise $75 in donations from friends, family and co-workers in exchange for jumping into the icy waters. All money raised stays in West-Central Illinois.