Bethlehem Special Olympics Newsletter BSO Christmas/Holiday Party

Transcription

1 October/November 2014 Bethlehem Special Olympics PO Box 536 Bethlehem, PA Phone: Inside this issue: BSO Holiday Party p 1&3 Breakfast at Applebee's p1&4 Polar Plunge Info p1& World Games p1&2 Come Caroling Ciocca Share the Love BSO People News Congrats and Thanks Winter Sports Update Get Fit Program Rock and Rolls a hit Spooky October p2 p2 p2 p4 p4...p4 p6 p6 BSO GIVES BACK WHAT IS IT? Did you know that Special Olympics training and competition is provided at no cost to athletes thanks to the generous donations from the community? Now the Athlete Leadership Team is sponsoring two activities to provide an opportunity for BSO to give back to the community: a food drive at the Christmas party, and a carol sing-along at Holy Family Manor on Dec. 21, 2-4 PM. See the party announcement page 3 for more info. Bethlehem Special Olympics Newsletter BSO Christmas/Holiday Party for athletes and coaches Saturday, December 13 NEW LOCATION: St. Paul s Lutheran Church, 417 Howertown Rd, Catasauqua, PA NEW ACIVITIES (sponsored by the Athlete Leadership Team) include a food drive, card/ornament crafts, and caroling rehearsal. Dinner, and dancing too! See more information on page 3 RSVP to Rose Ann Reiss, by Dec 7th. Breakfast at Applebee s 3730 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, PA Saturday, December 20, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM $7.00 per person Contact Caren Hogan for tickets. See information page 4 The 2015 Lehigh Valley POLAR Plunge is Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Scott Park in Easton. Join the FUN! Celebrate the event! You may PLUNGE, COME, CHEER,SHARE, SUPPORT, ENJOY, SPONSOR, HELP. If you want to get a head start on the river plunge, you can be a superplunger and start Friday, Jan 16th at the Eastonian Hotel, plunging every hour for 24 hours (too much? Challenge three of your friends to join your Superplunge team of 4 people and share the adventure!! SEE MORE INFO PAGE Special Olympics World Games July 25 - August 2 in Los Angeles CA BSO Gymnastics STARS Two BSO athletes and a coach will travel to Los Angeles California in 2015 to participate in World Games. Amanda Reiss will compete in rhythmic gymnastics, Simone Williams will compete in artistic gymnastics, and Coach Casey Skoglund was selected as a Team USA gymnastics coach. (story continued on page 2) Remember to check the BSO website often for updates:

2 2015 Special Olympics World Games (continued from page 1) In October, our gymnastics stars travelled to Indiana for a training weekend with the entire Team USA delegation. Three days of training were spent with other gymnastics athletes and coaches from Team USA. Amanda, Simone and Casey all enjoyed meeting other members on the team. But it wasn t all work. They also saw a parade and went to a football game. All three are excited about going to World Games in Los Angeles next year. Casey is looking forward to meeting athletes and coaches from other countries, Simone is excited about competing at World Games, and Amanda wants to make BSO proud. Simone Williams Coach Casey Skoglund Amanda Reiss You asked for Caroling you got it on Dec. 21!!! The Athlete Leadership Team (ALT) is sponsoring a Christmas Carol Sing-along at Holy Family Manor, 1200 Spring Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, on SUNDAY DECEMBER 21 from 2 PM to 4 PM. Many athletes have asked for a caroling opportunity, so the team planned this event. You may come early to the Christmas Party, from 1 PM to 2 PM to make a card or ornament to give away at the caroling event, and from 2 PM to 3 PM for the caroling rehearsal. Sign up at the Christmas Party. The ALT hopes to see you there! Buying a car? or know someone who is? Visit Ciocca Subaru at 4611 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA. and participate in the SHARE THE LOVE event. For each car sold, Ciocca will donate $250 to the customer s designated charity. Once again, the three local Special Olympics organizations are one of the charities. Visit their website at BSO People News Co-Head Aquatics Coach Jeanie Earich retired from the Head coach position in September. At a mini-celebration, the swim team presented her with appreciation gifts for many years of service to BSO in that position. Fred Knauss will remain as Aquatics Head Coach and -- don t worry -- Jeanie is still coaching aquatics, just not in the head coach position. Thank you JEANIE! Laura Neary is starting as an administrator for BSO s Facebook Page and Social Media Coordinator. She is replacing Connie Berni who has been doing a great job for the past few years in this position, keeping everyone informed of BSO happenings. Laura is the mother of BSO athlete Sarah Neary, who participates in swimming and soccer. If you have information to be posted on BSO s Facebook page, you may send it to Laura. Her is mcnearypa@aol.com. Thank you LAURA & CONNIE! Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: p. 2

3 BSO CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY PARTY for athletes and coaches Saturday, December 13 FUN! FUN! FUN! Including: DINNER (prepared by Chef Fred Knauss and the Kitchen Elves), CRAFTS, SINGING, VIDEO, FUN, DANCING, AND A VISIT FROM A SPECIAL GUEST! NEW LOCATION: St. Paul s Lutheran Church, 417 Howertown Rd, Catasauqua, PA (directions below) NEW ACIVITIES (sponsored by the Athlete Leadership Team). Note that craft/caroling room is downstairs, and NOT wheelchair accessible 1:00-2:00 PM - Make a Card or Ornament craft to give away at the caroling event 2:00-3:00 PM - Caroling rehearsal 3:00-8:00 PM - Party time! Dinner at 4 PM, Dancing & other holiday activities until 8:00 PM MENU: ham, chicken fingers, macaroni & cheese, glazed carrots, salad, dessert, iced tea & juices. BRING: if you are able, bring a canned or dry food item and/or personal care item (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.) to be donated to the food bank (BSO Gives Back). PLEASE RSVP TO ROSE ANN REISS BY DECEMBER 7th at or parenttoparent@aol.com and let her know if you are coming for crafts and carols too. Athletes needing 1 on 1 help may bring a companion. Just let Rose Ann know. Directions: From Bethlehem take Rt. 22 to Airport Road North. Turn LEFT onto Race Street - traffic light at the intersection. Continue on Race Street into Catasauqua, you will go through two traffic lights, and turn RIGHT onto Front Street (last road before the bridge). Wagner Elec will be on your left Go one block and turn RIGHT onto Union Street, St Mary s church will be on your left as you approach the stop sign. At the stop sign (5-way intersection) take the diagonal left street, which is Howertown Road. You will be to the right of the grassy island point. As soon as you turn, you will see the church steeple a few blocks in front of you on the right. As you approach the Church, the main parking lot will be to the left and the Church on your right. You will see a BSO Special Olympics sign on the church hall doors where our event will be held. For athletes needing ramp access: Proceed to the first stop sign pass the parking lot, this is Bridge Street, turn right, go half a block and turn right through the alley to the back of the church. As you proceed through the alley you will see a ramp to your right that will let you drive up to the back of the hall, you will see a BSO Special Olympics sign on the hall entrance, with a handicap accessible ramp. There is very LIMITED handicapped parking in the back so you will need to go out to the main parking lot out front to park. Go down the ramp at the end of the parking lot and through the alley turning right onto Church Street, at the stop sign go Right again onto Howertown Road, Parking lot is on your left. Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: p. 3

4 Breakfast With Santa WINTER SPORTS INFO Come and invite your friends to join you at a pancake breakfast at Applebee;s on Rt. 191, Saturday December 20th. Tickets are $7 each, and are available from Caren Hogan. Please contact Caren if you are interested in purchasing tickets, or helping to sell them. Congratulations Mandy! Mandy Kunkleman, BSO Roller Skating coach and Training Coordinator, is now MANDY GEHRING. She married Tim Gehring on October 18th. Her remains the same: mandylyn717@gmail.com MANY THANKS to volunteers from Walmart Distribution Center in Bethlehem who have helped enormously this fall at the BSO Dance, and the Haunted Woods. Special thanks to Chris Sherry who has coordinated many volunteer efforts. We really appreciate all your help! Snowshoeing practices starting - Sundays, December 7th, 14th, 3 PM to 4 PM. Sundays Jan 11,18, 25, and Feb 1, 3-4 PM at Rockland Park, corner of Rockland & Stefko Blvd., across from Just Born. Additional practice times, and a competition with Chester County will be scheduled. Last year was the first year BSO participated in snowshoeing at State Games. Three athletes competed in several events. Additional coaches needed too. Contact Alice Moat, or acmoat@verizon.net if interested. Figure Skating practices will start soon. Contact Jose Talavera at or josetalav1@verizon.net if you are interested. Beginners and all skill levels invited to attend. HO HO HO! Interested in Downhill Skiing? We would like to hold DOWNHILL SKIING DEMOs in January. We are also looking for skiing coaches. If interested in coaching or competing, contact Alice Moat. Attention Athletes! WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET FIT and ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO GET FIT TOO? SOPA s Get Fit Winter Challenge is starting!! This is an athlete-led initiative, but anyone can participate (athletes, coaches, volunteers, family, neighbors, etc.) We are looking for athletes who would like to step up and help to coordinate this effort for BSO. Contact Mandy Gehring mandylyn717@gmail.com or Alice Moat, acmoat@verizon.net as soon as possible if interested. Sign up for Winter Challenge must be done by 12/13. Visit for more info Remember to check the Bethlehem Special Olympics on Facebook for updates p. 4

5 2015 Polar Plunge Shiver in the River and you re Freezin' for a Reason! Benefitting Special Olympics PA and Bethlehem Special Olympics January 17, 2015 at Scott Park, Easton Registration starts 8:30 AM, First plungers at noon HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE: Be a Plunger - visit select the Lehigh Valley Plunge, and sign up to be a plunger. You can plunge as an individual, or join team Bethlehem Clowns or Team Bethlehem. If you plunge as an individual, please select BETHLEHEM as your affiliation. If you would like to participate as a plunger, but just don't want to jump in the river, you can still sign up and get pledges, then select a Too Chicken to Plunge shirt instead of plunging. Contact Sue to sign up if you do not have web access. Be a SUPERPLUNGER - an elite group of dedicated supporters will plunge once an hour for 24 hours, starting at noon on Friday, Jan 16 th, at the Eastonian Hotel for the SuperPlunge - if you can't make a 24-hour commitment, you a can form a team with three others, so each person only plunges part of the time during the 24-hour period. The last SUPERPLUNGE will kick off the river plunges on Jan 17 th. Set a Goal- you can earn great incentive prizes based on total $ raised, and receive a special bonus if you raise $500 prior to 12/31/2014. Advertise your goal to people you know so your supporters can help you achieve it! Check out the Team Toolkit for additional tips. Promote the Plunge on Facebook, Twitter, etc. to all your friends and ask them to support you and/or the Bethlehem Teams, and then ask them to ask their friends to pass along the info! Come to Scott Park on Jan. 17th and cheer on BSO plungers. At 11 AM there is a costume contest and the loudest cheers determine the winners - come out and cheer on our teams. Support a Plunger - you can donate to an existing plunger or superplunger who has signed up. Just visit PlungePA.org and select to donate to the team or individual you want to support. Ask your Business Networks - your place of work, or the businesses and services you visit the most, to be a sponsor for the plunge. Sponsorship levels start at $1,000 and go up to the one PREMIER sponsor at $20,000. Contact Sue Reddinger for sponsorship details. Know a Policeman, Fireman or other officer? Ask them to challenge another department to the Battle of the Badges for the biggest plunge team. (OK, these folks can also qualify to get a "Too Chicken to Plunge" shirt if they don t want to jump in the cold water.) Help advertise the event - we have large posters, business cards, and small bear hang tags for stores to sell for $1 to advertise and support the plunge. In addition, maybe you have other paths of communications to get the word out. Are you in High School or College? Sign your school up for the Cool Schools Challenge. CONTACT SUE REDDINGER or ladydragon1701@aol.com or members of the BSO Booster Club for more info. DID YOU KNOW: BSO won a trophy for being the 2 nd highest fundraising group last year? Let s go for the gold in 2015!!! 2013 Bethlehem Clowns Plunge Team Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: p. 5

6 BSO Rock and Roll Dance and Prize Raffle a Success! Over $7,400 was raised at the dance and basket raffle event held on Sept. 12. Approximately 150 people attended the dance and kicked up their heels to the music of Uncle Smiley s band. There was good food, great music and good times all around. Raffle ticket sales were going on throughout the evening. A HUGE THANK YOU to the Booster Club, especially Caren Hogan who coordinated the event, and to those who bought raffle tickets and came to the dance. Here is a list of the raffle prize winners-congratulations to all! BSO DANCE RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS Prize Winner Prize Name 32" Samsung TV Cathy Moyer Southwest Airline Tickets John Loosbrook $100 Gift Certificate for Rosanna s Children s Party from Dan Fritzinger Restaurant Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts Victorya Michale $100 Gift card to The Bayou One night's stay in Comfort Suites, Pam Magnan Restaurant Bethlehem Sine Garmin GPS watch donated by the $100 Gift Certif from the Other Fish Bob Berni Aardvark Sports Shop Restaurant Bob Heller $100 Outback Gift Cards John Meluskay $100 Gift Cards to Ichaban Lisa Gouker $100 Gift Cards, Applebee's Teresa Houer Mitre Saw donated by Lowe's Cheryl Bedics Four One-Day Park Hopper passes at Historic Hotel Bethlehem Donna Boyle Walt Disney World overnight & Brunch for two Dan Fritzinger $100 in Gift Cards Jerry & Diane Pamper Me $100 Package Spa from Tapas on Main Landis Celebrations Chris Spondr Cordless saw, donated by Ackroyd Keurig K75 Brewing System Teresa Houer Hardware from Bed Bath & Beyond Ami Bedics One night stay at Hyatt Place, $100 Gift Certificate for Emeril s Italian Nancy Appel Bonnie Gieske Bethlehem Table $100 in Gift Cards for Blue Grillhouse Chris Spondr $100 in Gift Cards Keystone Pub & Barbara Grill Bartholomew $200 Tally Ho Gift Cards John Meluskay 2 nights at Courtyard Marriott Courtney Mulley 24 TV from Larry Chapel, Four $25 gift cards from Bethlehem Brian Tucker State Farm Agent Fire Fighters Irene McGinniss Designer Handbag Ami Bedic TORO Power Shovel Tiffany Rossanese $100 in Gift Certificates Jake s WayBack Burgers Canine Grooming Gift Basket Scott Sine Aleksandra Soboleski One Hour Massage, Facial, Hair Style, Inspired by You Studio SPOOKY OCTOBER Congratulations to BSO Participants in the Freemansburg Halloween Parade. BSO won 1st place in Division 4. Fortunately the dreary morning cleared up in time to enjoy a walk around the town with deeee -licious hot dogs and soda afterwards. Marzena Bienek GOT UNIFORMS? If you have a sports team uniform, contact Louise Tusak to return it. Spooks were out at THE HAUNTED WOODS Minion Joey Joined the Parade in Zionsville during October! Despite some cool weather, BSO received $885 from Sonny and Dee Slonaker - the results of the Haunted Woods weekends. Thanks to Walmart volunteers and BSO athletes and coaches: Cory Squitieri, Danny and Caren Hogan, Barbara Bonner, Donna and Nathan Boyle, and the set-up and take down volunteer Dana and Layn Lindsey, and the Bednarciks. Special thanks to Sonny and Dee for hosting this event benefitting BSO! Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: p. 6

7 Pennsylvania - Bethlehem PO Box 536 Bethlehem, PA SNOWSHOE TRAINING STARTS DECEMBER 7th, 3-4 PM AT ROCKLAND PARK (across Stefko Blvd. from Just Born). Contact Alice Moat if interested. Note: Due to newsletter publication and mailing delays this mini-issue is being produced and mailed to ensure timely information gets out to all athletes, volunteers and families in time for December events. The Dec/Jan newsletter will be issued at the end of December and will include pictures from the Fall competitions as well as a lot of other news. Starting in February, we expect to have the newsletter issued on a monthly basis again. If you would like to suggest or submit articles, or help with the preparation of the newsletter, please contact Jose Talavera, PR Coordinator, josetalav1@verizon.net, or Alice Moat, Manager, , manager@bethlehemsopa.org. Bethlehem Special Olympics PO Box 536 Bethlehem, PA SPECIAL OLYMPICS OATH Let me win, but if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt! The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing 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. Created by The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics International for the Benefit of Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities