April 2022
You could win a $100 Fleet Feet gift card by joining Team Special Olympics Chicago in April!
We have guaranteed spots for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and a great incentive to help you start your training! Join our team to support Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities athletes by April 30 and you'll be entered to win a $100 gift card to Fleet Feet! You can get the gear you need to start your journey to the Marathon on October 9.

Plus, as part of our team, you'll get other great benefits:
• Guaranteed free entry to the race
• Discounted training with Chicago Endurance Sports
• Gear to rep SOC/SCC during the race
• Pre-race headquarters a half-mile from the starting line with gear check and race day essentials
• Post-race party including a massage therapist, lunch buffet, and drinks
• The best cheering section in town
• Best of all, you get to support our incredible athletes! 
Spring Games are back May 9–11!
We are so excited to see athletes and fans back at Eckersall Stadium next month for Spring Games! The games are being held May 9–11 and we would love to have as many fans as possible there to cheer on our athletes as they compete! You are also invited to the opening ceremonies on Thursday, May 5 at 9:30 AM at Soldier Field. We hope you'll join us!
Sign up for the BTN Big 10K!
The BTN Big 10K is coming back to Chicago this year on July 10 and we are grateful to once again be a charity partner for this fun and exciting race!

Represent your favorite Big Ten school in the 10K or 5K then party with other Big Ten fans at the Post-Race Tailgate featuring the Big Ten mascots, Big Ten cheerleaders, and entertainment! Participants will receive a school-specific race shirt and medal.

If you can’t participate in person on July 10, you can join in the virtual edition of the 2022 BTN Big 10K.
See what our athletes have been up to this month!
On March 21, FarmTaste and Colleen Lammel-Harmon, RD, CPRP, CPT taught more than 100 athletes to make a healthy and delicious fried rice dinner. Athletes had a great time learning how to chop and cook all kinds of colorful vegetables with rice, and some athletes even added their own protein and extra vegetables. Colleen shared helpful tips on making easy and nutritious meals every day, plus how to easily grow zucchini from home!

This month's cooking demo theme is Breakfast for Dinner and we'll be making frittatas! Stay tuned for photos from that class and information on signing up for future sessions!
Athletes participated in a gymnastics competition on March 26 at Broadway Armory. 85 athletes competed in a variety of events - rhythmic and artistic competitions. 88 athletes also competed in a swim meet at Mann Park on April 2. 

The Chicago Park District supported both events. The Gymnastics Unit assisted as gymnastics judges and lifeguards from the CPD Beaches and Pools Unit worked as timers and judges for the swim meet.
On April 9, Mt. Carmel High School rolled out the red carpet for our athletes at the Volleyball Teams Competition. There was a lot of great competition with many matches going to three games. Mt. Carmel Volleyball teams volunteered for the event and helped pump up the athletes during close games. A great time was had by all!
Are you a Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities athlete who wants to join our classes and activities?
Sign up, and we'll send you an invitation for our next event!
Family Opportunities from the Chicago Park District
The Chicago Park District's Family Opportunities are continuing this spring! We are excited to be sponsoring these fun activities. Indoor Rowing, Archery, Virtual Fitness, and Bowling will all be continuing. Plus, Mini Golf and Fishing will be back with the warm weather! Download the flyer and sign up today!
Athlete Artwork Feature
Our April calendar artwork is called Swimming for a Win by Claire Akerman. Claire's painting shows swimmers trying their best in a race. We hope the weather continues to get warmer so we can all head to the pool soon to swim!
Claire's picture is also perfect for today because our athletes have swimming this weekend!
Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities
2 E 8th Street, Suite 2M
Chicago, IL 60605

312-527-3743 scc@sochicago.org