SOGA in Your Community

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From athletes traveling to Athens, Greece to compete at Greece’s National Games and a Cobb County volunteer winning a national award to Cobb County athletes having a spotlight at a partner organization’s event; Special Olympics is always moving.

Thirty-year-volunteer Kittie Caston was recognized with the national Point of Light Award. Being deaf, Kittie has made a life out of  giving those with disabilities the opportunity to shine. She strives to help children and adults with intellectual disabilities learn discipline, confidence and demonstrate courage through her work with Special Olympics Georgia.The Point of Light Award honors individuals and volunteer groups around the country that have made a committment to help meet critical needs in the community. The award was created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

A SOGA family, volunteer and local program were recognized for outstanding work in the community at Indoor Winter State Games Opening Ceremony Jan. 15. The Distinguished Service Award winners are: the Isabell Family of Fayette County, Outstanding Family; Karen Carter; Outstanding Adult Volunteer; and Lowdnes County/Valdosta in Area 15, Outstanding Local Program.

Rhythmic gymnasts Elena Weaver, Dana Misitano, Lani DeMello and Karen Davis were selected to join 31 other United States Special Olympics athletes to compete in the Hellas National Games in Athens, Greece, at the end of May. All four athletes are at the highest level of Special Olympics rhythmic gymnastics. Ana DeMello will be the coach for the team. Gymnastics expert and coach Cindy Bickman will serve as the technical delegate.

The athletes have also been asked to demonstrate their Level 4 routines for international judges who will judge the rhythmic gymnastics competition at 2011 World Games in Athens. The judges will use the opportunity to complete their Special Olympics judges’ training.

Cobb County athletes:  Michael Ball,  Sean Concepcion, Marko Crncevic, Justin Erb, Daunte Lloyd, Maria Owmby,  had the spotlight at Dream Makers Youth Foundation’s  Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball last month in Smyrna. The athletes were cheered on by fans as the practiced lay-ups during an intermission.

SOGA is excited about its partnership with Dream Makers Foundation,  a nonprofit organization that provides community-based education, recreation and therapeutic services to preschool through high school-aged children with special needs throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Dream Makers offers free tennis lessons to children with special needs two Saturdays a month at the Universal Tennis Academy from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. If interested, call (678) 398-6693. Dream Makers also has a tutoring program within schools, if interested in one at your school e-mail dreammakersyf@aol.com.

Sponsor Spotlight

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Publix Super Markets is a leader in the food retail industry. And to that, they are leader in Community Giving. As the Presenting Sponsor of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and long time supporter of Special Olympics, Publix continues to achieve gold through their support of our athletes. Every January, stores across the region sell Torch Icons at the registers for $1, $3, or $5. In conjunction with this promotion, Proctor & Gamble also strives to create greatness with their partnership with Publix and Special Olympics. Customers are given the opportunity to purchase a torch icon at Publix and in exchange receive $6 back in P&G coupons!

Every year, Publix exceeds expectations through their dedication and support of this partnership. This year, Georgia stores raised an amazing $287,366! Special Olympics Georgia appreciates the support of Publix Super Markets and continues to enjoy shopping where Shopping is a Pleasure! Publix is also a leader in employing Special Olympics athletes at their stores. Thank you to Publix Super Markets & Proctor & Gamble for your continued support of Special Olympics! Be sure to visit your local Publix and show your support of those that support us.

Here’s how you’ve helped

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Marlow’s Tavern Golf Classic
November 4th proved to be a beautiful day for golf and for SOGA at the 11th annual Marlow’s Tavern Golf Classic.  A great day of golfing at St Marlo Country Club and golfers generosity raised more than $27,000 for SOGA. A reception and silent auction at Aqua blue Restaurant followed the tournament.   SOGA athlete Josh Jansma spent the day greeting the golfers at registration and playing a hole of golf with each foursome. 

(From left to right:  Steve Thomas, Susan Skolnick, Hank Clark).

Rotary Supports Troops and SOGA
The Rotary Club of Cherokee County found a unique way to simultaneously support our troops and our SOGA athletes.  Through DialAmerica’s magazine subscription program, which donates 12.5 percent of each subscription to SOGA, The Rotary Club of Cherokee County took out 17 magazine subscriptions that were sent directly to their own Rotarian/Soldier in Afghanistan to share with others.  As always with Rotary, they strive to fulfill their motto of “Service Above Self.”

(From left to right:  Jules Leni, Lieutenant Bill Carraway, Susan Skolnick, and George Lopos)

Record-breaking State Indoor Winter Games

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A record number of  2,300 athletes, coaches and unified partners participated at State Winter Games in Cobb County in January, kicking off SOGA’s 40th anniversary. Once again, Cobb County, especially Cobb County Parks and Recreation and Cultural Affairs, welcomed our athletes and even adding another venue, All Tournament Players Park. Speaking of breaking records, Lewis Maxwell of Peach County broke his own Special Olympics powerlifting World Record at the powerlifting competition at the Crowne Plaza in Marietta. Way to go Lewis!

SOGA would like to make a special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 Indoor Winter Games, Stadion Money Management. Thank you to all of our sponsors including: Allconnect, AutoTrader.com, Bennett Brown Family Foundation, First PRO Inc, Jones Day, Lockheed Martin, MetLife Foundation, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Superior Essex, and Winter Construction.

$97,000 for Bob’s 97 Years!

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When Bob Busse first went to work for SOGA athletes, the organization was only three years old. He was a volunteer, a board chairman and he organized annual golf tournaments, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the athletes, among other accolades. As he reaches 97 this year, SOGA plans to raise $97,000 to continue his legacy.

Please consider making a donation on behalf of Bob or attending the 15th Annual Bob Busse Golf Classic on Oct. 11, 2010 at the Country Club of the South. Click here to make a donation. Click here for more information about the fantastic tournament.

Students rally to end the R-word

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The R-word “retard” hurts,  Georgia students told  friends and families this month. On May 3, Georgia schools held rallies and programs for the second annual day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the Word, asking friends to pledge to not use the r-word, retard. Students challenged each other and raised communities awareness  of the dehumanizing effects of the word “retard.” Today, you can pledge not to use the R-word, too.

In Gwinnett County:
Mill Creek High School students collected pledges during the week of May 3rd and so many people signed the schools’ pledge banner, that they needed to had six more feet of paper to accommodate more signatures.  Club  Best Buddies, who organized the campaign want their classmates to understand the effect that their peers with intellectual disabilities had on them, said teacher Jennifer Rolfes.

In Brantley County:
Students at Brantley Elementary and Middle School rolled into the schools’ computer labs during the week of May 3rd and pledged online to not use the R-word. The word was so well spread among the school system and county, that residents stopped by the school to make their pledges, too. So many people pledged to not use the R-word, that specially made T-shirts and stickets, designed by a local coordinator, ran out.

Eighteen Georgia athletes head to Nationals in July

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Team Georgia, comprised of 11 athletes,  seven unified partners, four coaches and one staff member, will compete in Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska July 17-24. Our athletes will compete along side 3,000 other athletes  at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Congratulations for being selected among Georgia’s 22,769 athletes to compete!

Meet Team Georgia:

Amber Shrewsberry, 23, Carrollton Parks and Recreation, Rhythmic Gymnastics
DeAsia Manley, 12, Carrollton Parks and Recreation, Rhythmic Gymnastics
Lani DeMello, 24, Cobb County, Rhythmic Gymnastics
Keiria McCaskill, 16, Columbia County, Rhythmic Gymnastics
Jonathan Boutwell, 18, Jones County, Softball
Wilbert Fields, 17, Jones County, Softball
Chelsey McKinney, 16, Jones County, Softball
Jeremy Pitts, 19, Jones County, Softball
Steven Ryle, 16, Jones County, Softball
Heath Tyre, 19, Jones County, Softball
Michael Wooten, 18, Jones County, Softball
Brenda Drawhorn, 18, Jones County, Softball
Chinassa Hill, 18, Jones County, Softball
Chase Lundy, 18, Jones County, Softball
Olivia Nelson, 17, Jones County, Softball
Keith Norman, 18, Jones County, Softball
Trace Scott, 18, Jones County, Softball

The coaches are: Jennifer Gunnells, Carrollton Parks and Recreation, Rhythmic Gymnastics; Leah Bodnarchuk, Jones County, Softball; Blake Lyons, Jones County, Softball and Wanda “Joy” Smith, Jones County, Softball. The head of delegation is Kelli Britt, senior coach education and program manager with Special Olympics Georgia.

More than 175 of the COOLEST dip into the Polar Plunge

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Special Olympics Georgia  (SOGA) held the COOLEST event ever, the Polar Plunge, at Lake Lanier Islands Beach & Water Park in Buford, Georgia. On February 20, more than 175 supporters plunged into the chilly 45 degree waters of Lake Lanier to raise money and awareness for SOGA athletes. Polar Plunge raised $51,000!

The fun and festive day included  perfect weather, food, music, costume contests, prizes, appearances from SOGA athletes. The Polar Plunge was presented by Lake Lanier Islands Beach & Water Park and Star94 FM, with additional support from Courier Express, Marietta Wrecker, SilvAd Promotions, Dickey’s BBQ, WSB-TV Family to Family, Dutch Walters Photography and Genuine Auto Parts.  Awards were given out in the following categories:
            Highest Law Enforcement Fundraising Team:  Dunwoody Police Department
            Highest Non-Law Enforcement Fundraising Team:  Team Frosted Flakes
            Highest Individual Fundraiser:  Regina Rogers of Georgia Tech Police Department
            Best Group Plunge:  Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office
            Best Team Name:  Plunging Peaches
           
Click HERE to see the wacky photos and watch the calendar for more information on Polar Plunge 2011!

Be a Coach!

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Whether you are a brand new coach to SOGA athletes or a seasoned volunteer, get a certification at a Coaching Special Olympics Athletes, Unified Sports, or Young Athletes clinic! CLICK HERE for a sign-up sheet and more information. CLICK HERE for a schedule of all upcoming clinics in 2010.

Be a Fan of Respect

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