South Central Area 6 News:
Summer SO Update: more than just sports
This is the summer issue of Special Olympics Wisconsin Area 6’s newsletter. A new issue is sent every season featuring important information, dates of special events, Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) updates, Spotlights, event wrap-ups and fundraising news. The newsletter is sent to LETR committee members, polar plunge volunteers and committee members, Agency managers, volunteers and athletes.
Du Run Run is an event held across the state to raise funds for the athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin. During the event children ages 2-12 compete in a duathlon, run/bike/run, against kids their same age and gender.
Great Wisconsin Credit Union Du Run Run is the duathlon for South Central Wisconsin. It is held at McKee Farms in Fitchburg, WI every year. This years event will be held on Sep. 21, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Funds are raised through registration and with pledges. Participants who choose to collect pledges can win awards such as a gift card or backpack.
Last Year’s Du Run Run event had 205 kids who
participated and raised over $12,400 for Special
Olympics Wisconsin.
Click here for more information or to register a child online.
Du Run Run Event Sponsors
  
Agency Spotlight
Agencies are the blood that pumps through the Special Olympics. These are the athletes, coaches and volunteers who participate in events and break barriers. They meet fundraising goals, win medals, and change lives.
Agency 6-52 Sauk County, managed by Deb Carroll is one of these many agencies. She has been volunteering with the Sauk County Special Olympics agency since 2000 and she became agency manager in 2004. Deb says, “My favorite memory with the agency was the first time we had a blind athlete compete in the Summer Games and he took second place.”
Deb says their holiday raffle for the entire community is their best fundraiser activity. A majority of the raffle prizes come from the Wisconsin Dells, but many local businesses also pitch in to donate goods. Nancy Cook really enjoys fundraising and her skills have become vital to the Sauk County agency.
This summer the Sauk County agency is looking forward to their bocce scrimmage and agency picnic.
 Law Enforcement Torch Run
There were about 100 people who preregistered for this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Early on the morning of June 5th only a handful of these participants were able to brave the rain. Law enforcement and Special Olympics volunteers were at the Madison capitol with all eyes on the weather radar waiting to hear the status of the run. The event was postponed for a bit to try and wait out the rain and lightning. In the end only a few bikers left Madison on their way up to Portage.
In Portage they converged with the Milwaukee and Kenosha-Racine participants to make the rest of the trek to Stevens Point.
Thank you to all who supported and participated in the 2008 Law Enforcement Torch Run.
LETR Event: Shooting Competition
Sergeant Horstmann from Verona Police Department is organizing a shooting competition for law enforcement. Participants must make a $25 minimum donation that includes entry, lunch and a door prize ticket. All proceeds will go the LETR for Special Olympics Wisconsin.
The Deerfield Pistol and Archery Center has donated the range for the day to help host the event. The competition will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information,
contact: Mark Horstmann,
mthss@charter.net
(608) 513 3539  Pepsi's Harley Raffle
To support Special Olympics Wisconsin, Pepsi and Wal-Mart are teaming up this summer for a Harley Raffle. Tickets to win the Harley XL 1220 Sport Bike and trailer donated by Pepsi are only $5 each. Tickets are available at the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Office and over 50 Wisconsin Wal-Mart locations. For more information, contact Robert DeBroux, (800) 552-1324, rdebroux@specialolympicswisconsin.org
Below are the Wal-Mart locations in which the Harley can be viewed and tickets can be purchased.
Locations:
July 11th
Watertown 8:30-11:30
Jefferson 12:30-3-30
July 25th
Portage 8:30-11:30
Monona 12:30-3:30
August 1st
Mad West 8:30-11:30
Mad East 12:30-3:30 |
August 7th
Dodgeville :30-11:30
August 8th
Baraboo 8:30-11:30
Lake Delton 12:30-3:30
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We are looking athletes to help sell tickets at each location during the designated times. If you are able to help please contact John Weichelt,
(608) 221-2800, jweichelt@specialolympicswisconsin.org
Corporate Spotlight:
Great Wisconsin Credit Union, formerly CUNA Credit Union, was established in September of 1935 in Madison, WI. Today their nine locations throughout Wisconsin offer savings, checking, basic loans, and business loans. Member owned Great Wisconsin Credit Union has over 46,000 members and in June 2007 received second place for “Best Credit Union” by Corporate Report Wisconsin’s Best of Wisconsin Business Awards.
For the past two years Great Wisconsin Credit Union has been the title sponsor of Du Run Run. In 2007, Great Wisconsin Credit Union was instrumental in doubling the growth of the event. They also help Special Olympics Wisconsin with their support of volunteers and families that get involved in Du Run Run.
Kim Sponem - President of Great Wisconsin Credit Union:
“Great Wisconsin Credit Union is pleased to be a supporter of the Madison area DuRunRun for Special Olympics. As a not-for-profit cooperative, we serve our members and the community as part of our mission.”
“The event provides an excellent opportunity for our membership and staff to have fun with their families and friends while raising funds for the tremendous efforts that Special Olympics puts forth with their programs. We were delighted to sponsor the 2007 DuRunRun, attendance was doubled, over $15,000 was raised, and 95% of the volunteers were our staff and their families. The event fits well with our efforts to have fun both in and out of work. It was fun to see the kids participating, be challenged on the course, and have a sense of accomplishment running over the finish line." said Kim Sponem, President and CEO of Great Wisconsin Credit Union. Overall, we were thrilled to be part of such a great event and can't wait until September 21st of this year."
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Athlete Spotlight: Tina Stading
Tina Stading, 32, from La Crosse is a long time Special Olympics pro. During her 15 years with Special Olympics she has won many ribbons and medals in bocce, gymnastics, bowling, and aquatics.
Tina says her favorite sport is Bocce because, “I love throwing the balls and making friends,” but her favorite Special Olympics memory happens to be with gymnastics. A few years ago at the state games Tina received first place for gymnastics. Like a true Wisconsinite, Tina’s favorite team is the Green Bay Packers and she is a huge Brett Favre fan.
When Tina isn’t busy tossing bocce balls or bowling, she works at Riverfront and hangs out with her friends and family. “This summer I’m hanging out with my mom and dad and two dogs who are Cocker Spaniels named Dakota and Lady.” Tina goes on to say, “We might go on a family vacation, but we don’t know yet.”
Upcoming
Events
4/12/2008
Area 6 District Aquatics Competition Area 6, Area 7, Sporting, Volunteers Needed
Waunakee, WI
5/3/2008
Area 6 Area Athletics Competition Area 6, Volunteers Needed, Sporting
Oregon, WI
5/17/2008
Area 6 Bocce, Softball, Tennis and Golf Coaches Certified Training School
Oregon, WI
6/14/2008
Cuba City Softball Invitational
Cuba City, WI
6/21/2008
Reedsburg Bocce Invitational
Reedsburg, WI
7/12/2008
Area 6 District Softball, Teeball, Bocce, & Tennis Tournament Area 2, Area 3, Area 6, Volunteers Needed, Sporting
Onalaska, WI
7/13/2008
Area 6 District Golf Competition Area 6, Area 7, Area 8, Sporting, Volunteers Needed
Columbus, WI
August 2008
Area 6 Volleyball Coaches Certified Training School
Location TBA
September 2008
Area 6 Bowling Coaches Certified Training School
Bowl-a-Vard Lanes - Madison, WI
September 2008
Area 6 Fall Agency Meeting
Location
TBA
10/12/2008
Area 6 Area Bowling Tournament - La Crosse Area 6, Volunteers Needed, Sporting
La Crosse, WI
10/18/2008
Area 6 Area Bowling Tournament - Madison Area 6, Volunteers Needed, Sporting
Madison & Sun Prairie, WI
11/1/2008
Western Regional Bowling Tournament
Madison & Sun Prairie, WI
Click
here for the full state calendar of events.
State Partners
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