Happy holidays from all of us at Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities! As we head into this bustling and joyful season, we want to take a minute to thank you for being a part of our inclusive community.

2023 has been a year of incredible growth for our organization and the programs that we offer. Your philanthropy allowed us to continue and expand our program offerings to athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Some of these include:

• The Intramural Program with the Chicago Park District serving more than 3,000 athletes in a variety of sports;
• The Inaugural Golden Games for our athletes 45 and older providing a weekend of activities culminating in a dinner dance at the Hilton hotel with Elvis making an appearance as the special guest;
• The Art and Music Therapy program through Chicago Public Schools adding additional programs, including summer programming through schools and parks;
• The After 22 Project offering post-high school education and job training to our athletes; and
• Numerous partnerships throughout the city that give our athletes unique experiences with Common Threads, Second City, Urban Gateways, Hubbard Street Dance, Mad Science Chicago, and A.B.L.E. Ensemble, along with many others.

We also want to thank everyone who supported our special events this year. The Chicago Polar Plunge presented by Jackson, our Chicago Marathon team, and our Evening Reception were all bigger than ever! We are so grateful for all of the attendees, committee members, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make these events so successful.

We look forward to an exciting 2024 as we continue to offer more vital programming in more areas of Chicago. We can’t wait to see you in the new year!

Thank you, again. Your support is greatly appreciated. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,

Ray Baker

President, Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities

Registration for the 24th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge presented by Jackson is now open!

Get ready for one of Chicago's most iconic winter traditions! Join us at North Avenue Beach on March 3, 2024, where we'll gather with thousands of participants, plus friends, families, and celebrities to support Chicago's athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Funds raised will help us support Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities programs that provide athletic and life-enriching activities for thousands of athletes of all ages in all 77 Chicago neighborhoods.

The Plunge is a great challenge to undertake as an individual or on a team with friends, family, or co-workers. Corporate teams are integral to the event and provide the ultimate team-building exercise. However you decide to participate, we provide the support you need to make your Plunge a great success!  

We have great incentives for every participant who raises $200 or more, so sign up now and start your fundraising campaign!

Athletes in Action

Our athletes have had a busy month with tons of exciting activities, classes, competitions, and events. Check out some highlights of their fun and accomplishments.

This month’s featured artist is Connor Fallon of Norwood Park. Connor’s artwork is titled “Ski Team” and shows three skiers enjoying their time on the slopes while being surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees. Skiing is always a highlight of our winter and we are looking forward to going on ski trips with all our athletes in 2024. Whether you're up in the mountains or in Chicago, we hope you are enjoying the winter season!