December 2022 Newsletter

State Bowling Recap

Over 1,000 athletes and Unified partners participated at Special Olympics Iowa State Bowling Competitions on November 19, 2022. Each competitor qualified at an area event to bowl at one of the four different state locations: Des Moines (Bowlerama Lanes), Council Bluffs (Thunderbowl), Waterloo (Maple Lanes), and Cedar Rapids (Cedar Rapids Bowling). Thank you to all volunteers who helped make the events a success and congratulations to all athletes and Unified partners on a great bowling season!

Results

Basketball is almost here!

This winter, athletes will be in the gym showing off their basketball skills in regional team basketball tournaments and area basketball skills competitions. Both the regional basketball tournaments and area basketball skills competitions are qualifiers for the Spring Classic scheduled for Saturday, March 11.

Click here to learn more about basketball season.

Winter Games

Join us in Dubuque for the Winter Games on January 9 and 10. The Games will feature athletes competing in snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating events. Snowshoeing events will take place at Camp Albrecht Acres, and the skiing events will be at Sundown Mountain. Figure skating and speed skating competitions will be held at the Dubuque Ice Arena.

MATP Days

The Motor Activity Training Program (previously known as Challenge Day) is back! On November 11th, more than 30 athletes from River Hills took part in seated volleyball, ramp bowling, bocce, ball darts, soccer, and more. The Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) Training Days introduce team sports to the severe and profound as well as those who are unable to participate in the traditional Special Olympics programs

Iowa Wolves Disability Empowerment Night December 9th, 2023 @ 7:00 P.M. We invite you to join us at the Iowa Events Center (730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA) for an exciting evening for the Iowa Wolves vs. Grand Rapids . We have a Special Olympics athlete singing the national anthem, the Liberty Landing cheer team performing between the 1st & 2nd period, and a 5 on 5 basketball game -Link Associates Vs. Johnston Outlaws- at the conclusion of the Wolves Game (roughly 9:00 P.M.). Tickets are $15 and a portion of each ticket sold goes back to benefit Special Olympics Iowa. Doors open at 6:00pm.

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Staff Spotlight

Jerry Lowe, Community Programs Coordinator  Jerry joined the Special Olympics Iowa staff because of his passion to help others. He graduated from Grand view University with a degree in Kinesiology, and a minor in Art. As the Community Programs Coordinator, Jerry will get to keep Special Olympics athletes healthy by training and teaching them about the importance of fitness. He looks forward to working with the Special Olympics community to make sure athletes are receiving the health treatment they need.

Claire Quigle, Marketing and Communications Coordinator  Claire recently joined the Special Olympics Iowa staff as the new Marketing and Communications Coordinator. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. Claire is excited to attend upcoming Special Olympics Iowa events and have the opportunity to meet and cheer on our athletes.

Fundraising Central

Double Your Year End Gift

We know you care about our athletes, and this holiday season we're asking you to consider making a donation to Special Olympics Iowa. Every gift made through now and the end of the year will be doubled and provides support for 14,869 Special Olympics athletes in Iowa to get off the sidelines and experience the joy of sports. Will you help us show the world that people with intellectual disabilities are strong, capable, and talented?

A Brisk Way to End the Year

The final Polar Plunge® of the year was held this past weekend in West Des Moines. The fall Polar Plunge season consisted of five locations (Siouxland, Davenport, Fort Dodge, Dubuque, and West Des Moines) and had a combined 441 plungers and chickens that raised more than $98,000 for Special Olympics Iowa athletes and Unified partners! Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in a Polar Plunge this year, we look forward to "chilling" with you again in 2023!

Law Enforcement Torch Run Supporter Shirts

Each year, law enforcement officers through the state buy and sell t-shirts, polos, and hats to raise money for Special Olympics Iowa athletes and Unified partners to show their support for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. If you have not yet purchased your LETR supporter apparel, you can still do so until the end of the year. The 2022 LETR t-shirts come in dark gray cotton or silver dri-fit options, and are available in adult sizes small to 4XL.

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Coaches Corner

Sport Training on Basketball (Skills & Team) via Zoom All Delegation Managers, Coaches and Assistant Coaches are invited to join us for a Sport Training on Basketball (Skills & Team) via Zoom today, Tuesday, December 6 at 5:30pm. Register in advance for this meeting: HERE *Attendance will count as the Sport Training for Basketball (Team & Skills) that will be good for 3 years. Registration Forms Available Online Registration forms for one-day programs and sports competitions are available online! Go to the Participation Forms page on our website to view registration forms for upcoming SOIA events.

Event Calendar Visit our online calendar for event details! December January 9 & 10 - Winter Games 14 - South Central Basketball Skills 19 – Southwest Area Basketball Skills 19 – West Central Area Basketball Skills 21- East Area Basketball Skills 21 - East Regional Basketball Tournament 24- North Area Basketball Skills 28 - Cornell Unified Sports Day 28 - Northwest Area Basketball Skills 28 - Southeast Area Basketball Skills February 3 - Hills and Dales Motor Activity Training Program 4 - Northeast Area Basketball Skills 4 - West Central Regional Basketball Tournament 4 - West Regional Basketball Tournament 9 - North Central Area Basketball Skills 10 - Council Bluffs Young Athlete Play Day 11 - East Central Area Basketball Skills 11 - East Central Regional Basketball Tournament 11 - Wartburg Unified Sports Day 14 - William Penn Unified Sports Day 16 - North Area Young Athletes Play Day 24 - River Hills Young Athletes Play Day February 27 - March 3 - #InclusionWeek  Upcoming State Competition Dates Winter Games - January 9 & 10

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Special Olympics Iowa ‌ ‌

www.soiowa.org