Special Olympics New York Western Region: Western Region Program Report

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

~ Athlete Oath ~

Special Olympics Western Region

Weekly Program Report:

This Week in the Western Region

Week of: August 11th, 2008

This Week………

Firstly, thanks to all the Program Committee for attending our committee meeting in Springville on Thursday night! We really appreciate your continued commitment and for ensuring a productive evening.

Secondly, we have free tickets for the Buffalo Bisons versus Pawtucket Red Sox game taking place at Dunn Tyre Park on Sunday, August 17^th (1pm). Chautauqua Lakers very own Bob Goold will be throwing out the first pitch before receiving the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award.. If you would like a set of tickets for this event please e-mail jbell@nyso.org specifying how many you need and a mailing address for where the tickets should be sent.

We also need help manning an information table at the game. If you would like to volunteer to help run the table please e-mail Julie Bell. Any assistance that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thirdly, Melissa Wiggins (Director of Development) is looking for athletes to assist in the Upcoming “Bike and Badges” event on Saturday, September 13^th. The event will begin in Hamburg and we would like to have as many Western Region athletes and volunteers involved as possible. Please contact Mwiggins@nyso.org if you and your athletes would like to be involved.

Finally, state games registrations will be mailed to coaches on Wednesday August 27^th. We are in the process of finalizing our numbers and will be in touch in the next two weeks. Thank you for your patience.

FUTURE CONFERENCES

NEXT CONFERENCE WILL BE IN DECEMBER 2008!!!!!

Why should you attend?

It is the quickest way to get all of the information pertaining to the region.
Update your existing certification and background check (needs to be done every 3 years).
Get certified in new sports or learn new coaching concepts in sports where you have previous certification.
Keep up to date with the changes at Special Olympics—learn the new concepts.
Complete online Protective Behaviors.
Get a free lunch!!!!
Meet all the amazing volunteers from around the region.
Coaches Recognition-attend 3 consecutive conferences and receive a great Special Olympics Coaching Bag

The Western Region hosts three Sports conferences per year at the beginning of each of our seasons:

MIMO…

E-MAIL RMITCHELL@NYSO.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Aarons and RAC promotion

Aarons and “Rent a Center are currently running a fantastic Special Olympics promotion in a great number of their stores across the state. Customer donations in the form of purchasing a “Torch Icon” directly support our athletes. If you are passing a store please stop in to say “thank you” to their great sales staff. In one store that we visited in Buffalo last Thursday, over 70 icons had already been purchased which I am sure you will agree is a phenomenal effort! Many thanks to Aarons and Rent a Center for supporting our fantastic athletes.

Super Regional Bocce in Rome, NY

Coaches,

You may have noticed that our Super Regional Bocce event has been moved from SMS Seneca to the Toocaloona Club in Rome. This represents a longer road trip for our Western Region athletes and we need to begin planning immediately. To this end, I need to get a list of clubs that are interested in going and an approximate number of athletes. Once we have this information we can create the best ’plan of attack’ to ensure that our Western athletes get the best possible experience from this event.

Please e-mail rmitchell@nyso.org

If you plan on attending this event. Thanks in advance

Thanks to Alle-Cats and Grand Island for confirming attendance.

Online Calendar

The Western Region Calendar is now complete for the remainder of the year. Registration forms for Regional and Super Regional Events will be posted next week. To access the calendar please visit:

http://nyso.org/Western/Wcalen.php

Please ensure that this information is passed along to fellow coaches, athletes and families.

Disability Awareness Night

Disability Awareness Night

We are pleased to announce that Bob Goold from the Chautauqua Lakers has been nominated for this award. Congratulations Bob.

Nominee Criteria

The presentation of the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award (named after the founder and former editor-in-chief of Exceptional Parent magazine) at each Disability Awareness Night signifies the remarkable accomplishments that can be achieved under difficult circumstances. When making a recommendation for this award, please keep in mind the mission of Disability Awareness Night: to expand awareness of the 54 million Americans with disabilities, by highlighting their extraordinary achievements and the perseverance and dedication of the families, caregivers, physicians, nurses, therapists and teachers involved in their care and development.

In order to receive the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award, a candidate must exhibit the following characteristics:

Has demonstrated courage in overcoming their own disability or has worked on behalf of those with special needs or disabilities
Has been involved in scientific research leading to the early detection of disorders and appropriate intervention therapies e.g., the discovery of the gene for cystic fibrosis by Dr. Francis Collins, MD, PhD, Director of the Human Genome Project at the National Institute of Heal
Has demonstrated leadership in an effort to expand awareness about how people with disabilities can be productive citizens in our society either by his or her exemplary leadership of an organization or association, as an employer hiring and training people with disabilities including intellectual disabilities, or as a philanthropist

Meds and Consent Binder

Reminder: That the Med/Consent binder needs to be presented at the beginning of each event and be present at all training sessions/trips etc. This will be checked at registration on the day of the event and should include valid Meds/Consents for each of the athletes participating. If you do not bring your binder to the event we cannot allow your team/individual to participate.

Development

Trooper David C. Brinkerhoff Foundation

The Trooper David C. Brinkerhoff Foundation is pleased to announce the “Summer Sendoff” Family Picnic and Jet Ski Poker Run for Sunday, August 24^th at Beaver Island State Park. This year we are pleased to be teamed with the Special Olympics of New York to raise money for the athletes and programs for those in Western New York.

The picnic will have food, music, bounce houses, K9 and police demonstrations, games, and Chinese and silent auctions with fantastic items. Beaver Island also offers numerous hiking trails, Frisbee golf, playgrounds, and of course supervised swimming at their pristine beach. We can’t wait to spend the afternoon together with friends and family while raising money for a great cause.

The Jet Ski Poker Run will take place around Grand Island again with its home base right on the beach of the park. Last year brought out 57 machines and we look forward to the scene of 100 jet skis pulled up on the beach to enjoy the picnic after a beautiful ride.

Please see the attached flyer and feel free to forward it to those interested in spending the day with us. Visit our website at: www.trooperbrinkerhoff.com to register and for more information about the foundation. You need to register before August 14^th to have your vehicles $7 park admission fee waived, so get going. If you have any questions or are willing to help out in any way please contact me at mbrinks3@roadrunner.com

We look forward to a great day at the park and spending time with you for a good cause. We hope to see you out there.

Bikes and Badges

Bikes and Badges will be taking place on Saturday, September 13^th. For more information, please see the attached flyer above or contact Mwiggins@nyso.org

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