Local Program Reminder July 19, 2017

SAVE THE DATE - SOCT Leadership & Health Summit & Coaches Training School, September 30 & October 1 , Trumbull Marriott Hotel; Details to be available soon

Health and Fitness Corner

Healthy Athletes Screenings and Education at our 2017 SOCT Leadership and Health Summit!

Athletes are invited to join us for Fit Feet and Special Smiles screenings. Both disciplines will provide health screening and education. These screenings will be available to a limited number of athletes during two sessions: morning and afternoon. Along with screenings, breakout sessions will be offered to families, parents and caregivers that will focus on navigating healthcare and follow up care for athletes. Look out for sign ups.

Note: we have a very limited number of sneakers and sizes we will be distributing at Fit Feet screening. First come, first serve!


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HOPE & POSSIBILITY® RUN PRESENTED BY CIGNA

Join us to celebrate the power of the human spirit and to create a unifying event that showcases the abilities of all athletes, running side-by-side on July 23rd at 8:00 am. If you are interested in signing up your Fitness Club contact Don Conklin for more info at [email protected].


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New Enlgand Trail Sensory Walk
On Aug. 5th from 10am - 2pm we will have a New England Trail Sensory Walk will take place in Guilford at the East River Preserve.The event will be led by Bibi Calderaro, a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. A healthy snack will be provided.

This event is limited to twenty-five members and only open to members of a Unified Sports® Fitness Club.

Save The Date

Sun, Oct. 29th will be our next Universal Walk. Mitchell College in New London has graciously agreed to host. Open to all Unified Sports® Fitness Clubs.

In This Issue

Quick Links

Previous Issue

Athlete Medical

Class A Volunteer Form

Protective Behaviors

Visit the calendar for specific events dates.

Special Events Corner

Golf Tournaments: (Special Events)

Dennin Golf Tournament & BBQ - July 31st

Enterprise Golf Tournament at Lyman Orchards - September 14th

SOCT Golf Tournament at Lake of Isles - September 18 ^th - www.soctgolf.com or https://goo.gl/NN7dJ2

LAZ Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament - September 25^th: Registration Information to Come

Ticket Fundraiser with the Hartford Yard Goats

The Hartford Yard Goats has a a ticket fundraiser program for any local interested in participating. Click here for the Ticket & Hospitality Guide and click here for 2017 Fundraising Packet.


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The 11 th Annual Susan Saint James Poker Tournament will be held on Sun, Sept. 17^th at Foxwoods Casino! The tournament will start at 1:00 PM and be played until there is a winner! There is a $100 entry fee to participate.

Special Olympics Connecticut is happy to announce an exciting opportunity for Local Program's:

SOCT Local Programs Exclusive Offer:

Use up to $200 from local account to fund registration fees
50% of registration fees will be refunded back to your local program
Great way to thank your volunteers!

$100 Entry Fee Includes:

$2,000 in playing chips
Post event reception including food and drink
Chance to win prizes including overnight stay at Foxwoods!

For more information: Contact Jeff Veneziano at [email protected]

2017 LETR Events
Date	Event	Site	Address	Times
July 21	Tip-A-Cop	Arooga's	32 Sandy Desert Rd. Uncasville	4p-9p
July 22	Cop-On-Top	TSI Harley-Davidson	398 Somers Rd. Ellington	9a-3p
July 22	Cop-On-Top	Gengras Harley-Davidson	221 Governor St. East Hartford	9a-3p
July 29	LETR Basketball Tournament	Fitch High School	101 Groton Long Point Rd, Groton	9a-7p
Aug 1	National Night Out	Hubbard Park	Meriden	5p-8p
Aug 5	SHiFT for Special Olympics	Jacob's Beach	Guilford	1pm - 6pm
Aug 5	Cop-On-Top	Raymour & Flanigan	50 Hale Rd, Manchester	11a-3p
Aug 19	Hot Dog Eating Contest	Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS	14 Canton Springs Rd. Canton	12p-4p
Aug 25	Tip-A-Cop	Arooga's	32 Sandy Desert Rd. Uncasville	4p-9p
Oct 15	New Canaan 5K	Waveny Park		TBD
Oct 19	Tip-A-Cop	Red Robin	Danbury Fair Mall	5p-9p
October 21	Truck Pull - TR Council	McDermott Chevrolet	655 Main St, East Haven	9a-4p

Sports and Local Program Corner

It is with mixed emotions that I write you all. As many of you know, I have been blessed with beautiful twin daughters and a little boy on the way, making all of my wildest dreams come true! However, with the newest addition coming in 7 short weeks it has become abundantly clear to me that being a mommy to my young children must take top priority in my life now. While nothing has brought me more joy in the past six and a half years than serving the athletes of Special Olympics Connecticut, it is time for me to focus my joy on raising my children. Sadly, as the saying goes "you can't have it all," my passion of working at SOCT has to come to an end.

I wanted to take this time to thank you all for your tremendous support, teamwork and most of all friendship throughout my tenure at Special Olympics Connecticut. I will truly cherish all of you and the things we have accomplished together to better the lives of our athletes. My last day at SOCT will be Aug. 18^th but I can promise you that you will see me and my family volunteering at future events as no one can truly leave this amazing organization.

Please feel free to share this news with your coaches and athletes and most importantly spread to them my love and thanks for allowing me the opportunity to work for them!

With love and admiration,

Katie Dennett

"Save the Date" - Coaches training on October 1st at the SOCT Leadership & Health Summit.

Softball Coaches Meeting Minutes

If you missed the Softball Coaches Meeting held on Thursday, July 6 th please click here for the the meeting minutes. We want to make sure those that did not attend are aware of the rule modifications that were created.

SOCT Athletes Invited To Farmington Polo Club Match-August 13

The Farmington Polo Club, site of Dream Ride 2017, has offered free tickets to SOCT athletes, volunteers and families to attend their Aug. 13th Polo Match. The gates open at 2pm and the match starts at 3pm. SOCT athletes will be highlighted by the Polo Club prior to the match. You'll need to bring your own chairs. The Polo Club is located at 152 Town Farm Road, Farmington.

Please rsvp to Marc Mercadante at [email protected] by Aug. 10^th.

Unified Sports® Fall Festival Coaches Meeting

The 2017 Unified Sports Fall Festival online Coaches Meeting is now available for viewing on our website under the Sports and Fitness Programs tab, Coaches Corner, and listed under Coaches Meetings and Tutorials. Or you can click the direct link here. After viewing the Youtube Presentation, please follow this link to complete the application so we can track who has viewed this meeting. Please share with your coaches! The Unified Sports® Fall Festival will take place on Sept. 9th & 10th.

2018 USA Games, July 1-7, Seattle, Washington

Please be sure to nominate eligible athletes for participation in these games. It will truly be a life time experience for anyone selected to Team CT.

Following is SOCT'S remaining quota for these games:

Aquatics: 2 Females and 2 Males, ages 16-29 including one High Performance athlete who must be able to swim 100 freestyle in 01:23.33 or less; or 100 Individual medley in 01:40.38 or less ;
Athletics: 2 Females and 2 Males, ages 16-29 including one High Performance athlete who must be able to run 100 meters in 13.44 seconds or less; or throw the Shot put 11.21 meters or more;
Unified Tennis: 2 Females and 2 Males (includes partners), ages 16+

We have already selected our Alternate Shot Golfers, Unified Basketball Team and our Unified Bowlers.

There is no cost to any athlete or partner to attend. Applications were sent out to programs who had eligible Aquatics, Athletics and Tennis athletes but if we missed someone, please have them complete the attached application. All applicants will then be selected from a lottery draw. We are looking for both the athlete and the partner to complete an application.

For any questions about these games, please contact Laurie-Jean at 203-230-1201 x235 or [email protected]

Extra, Extra

Athlete and Volunteer Safety In The Sun and Heat

As we hit the dog days of summer, heat and humidity will be on the rise. It's important that your Coaches and Athletes take the proper precautionary steps to stay cool during outdoor practices and events. Persons with asthma are also at risk on days the air quality is low. Please be sure athletes with asthma have their inhaler with them at practice.

Below are two important links to help keep our athletes and volunteer safe. Please share with your coaches, families and athletes.

How to stay safe and burn free from the summer's sun - Sun Safety

Important Reminders To Stay Hydrated at Practice and Competitions - Water and Hydration

Local Programs and Fundraising

When planning a fundraiser for your Local Program please complete the Local Program - Fundraising Project Approval form by clicking on the link: http://www.soct.org/forms/project-fundraiser-approval/. All fundraisers conducted by a Local Program must be approved by Reva Zaleski-SOCT Office to ensure that your fundraiser/event is covered by SOCT Insurance.