Hello,

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we would like to say thank you for your support of Special Olympics Wisconsin. Because of your efforts, nearly 10,000 athletes with cognitive disabilities in Wisconsin experience the joy, friendships and sense of accomplishment that come with participation in sports training and competition in our year-round events.

One athlete who has benefited from participating in Special Olympics is Tyler Derringer. Tyler has been diagnosed with Autism/Asperger Syndrome and mild Cerebral Palsy but he doesn’t let that stop him. He has participated in Special Olympics since 1993 and currently participates in volleyball, track and golf.

Training for Special Olympics benefits the athletes, both physically and mentally. Since participating in Special Olympics, Tyler has improved his running ability. His personality has also changed as he’s much more confident, and has a better perception about himself.

“It has given him courage to get up and do things, and to not look at himself as disabled. He’s gained independence; it’s a morale boost for him,” said his mother Claudia Derringer.

Please consider a donation to Special Olympics during this holiday season to help athletes with cognitive disabilities continue to reach for their dreams.
Click here for more information about submitting a donation.

Fall Sports Tournament

Bowling balls and volleyballs will bring bumps, sets and strikes to the State Fall Sports Tournament December 6, 2008. Bowling is held at AMF Lanes in both Wauwatosa and Waukesha. New this year - volleyball will be held at Waynz World of Recreation in Big Bend.

More information about Fall Sports Tournament

Catch THIS Cold! Take the Polar Plunge.

Don't just catch any cold this winter ... Catch This Cold by taking the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Wisconsin in 11 Plunge locations statewide February and March 2009!

Each Plunger must raise $75 to receive the official "Freezin' for a Reason" long sleeve T-shirt and can earn other cool prizes for larger fund raising amounts. All proceeds benefit local Special Olympics athletes.

New this year, you can be "Too Chicken to Plunge" and still join a Plunge team and sign up for your own fund raising Web page -- Each plunge will have a fun way to recognize participating chickens.

Click here for more information or to register online for the Plunge

Wisconsin Athlete attends Special Olympics General Meeting in Canada

In October, Martha Hill, International Global Messenger and Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete, traveled to Calgary, Canada to attend the Special Olympics Annual General Meeting.

Click here to read her story about the trip..
 

Coaching Summit to be held at UW Oshkosh

The 2009 Special Olympics Wisconsin Coaches Summit will be held January 17, 2009 at UW Oshkosh. It is an opportunity for coaches around the state to come together to share coaching tools and discuss topics like sportsmanship, coaching ethics and SOWI policies. It gives all coaches an opportunity to work together towards a common goal - developing a healthy coaching philosophy, and ultimately impacting the athlete experience in a positive way.

Click here to download a registration form for this event.

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin Honored with International Awards

During the last week of October, 25 officers, staff, sponsors and volunteers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Wisconsin traveled to Dallas for the 2008 International LETR Conference. At the conference our LETR program was awarded the Diamond Level of Excellence award for raising more than $1 million in 2008 with Wisconsin’s LETR Program setting a new fundraising record by raising more than $1.5 million! Read Full Story

Wisconsin's Truck Convoy raises a record $100,000

During the 2008 Convoy, 122 trucks participated and raised more than $100,000! During the convoy, semi drivers and companies support Special Olympics by meeting in Richfield, WI then joining in a law enforcement escorted convoy up Hwy 41 to Oshkosh where they are greeted by Special Olympics athletes and hundreds of highway onlookers. Save the date for next year's event: September 26, 2009. Click here for more information.

A Very Special Christmas

This holiday season, Special Olympics will be releasing a special three-disc compilation, A Very Special Christmas®, Volume I- III, featuring legendary musicians including Madonna, U2, Sheryl Crow and Bruce Springsteen.

One hundred percent of the proceeds of the A Very Special Christmas sales directly support innovative training initiatives that encourage growth and provide creative ways to advance the Special Olympics movement around the world. People with cognitive disabilities comprise the largest disability population in the world. An estimated 200 million people have cognitive disabilities worldwide. Click here for more information.

Special Olympics Wisconsin
5900 Monona Drive, Ste. 301
Madison, WI 53716
608.222.1324
www.specialolympicswisconsin.org