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 ~

Weekly Program Report:

This Week in the Western Region

Week of October 6^th, 2008

State Games and Exciting News!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Well what a weekend! Thanks to all you coaches for making it happen, to Shelby for yet another stellar job as HOD and to the all the athletes for making it so memorable. The games were immensely enjoyable and you guys made it happen!!! The results of the games can now be found online at:

http://www.specialolympicsny.org/

We move forward this week with a load of exciting news. Next week Shelby Baker will begin as the new Program Director for the Western Region. Shelby will spend a short period of training at the Genesee office before moving permanently to our new office in Amherst. This represents a great step forward for the region and we are tremendously excited to have Shelby onboard. I will continue to work with Shelby and will still be a in a position to answer any questions you may have as we move forward. I wanted to thank everyone for their support during this process and am excited as we move towards a new era.

Finally, registration for our bowling event at Transit Lanes is now available. Please see the allotted quotas below and the REGISTRATION DEADLINE. We look forward to a tremendous competition and to seeing you all there.

HELP NEEDED!!!!!!
Melissa Wiggins, Director of Development of the Western Region is looking for two athletes to help at Canisius College on Tuesday, October 21^st from 11am- 2pm. At this recruitment drive the athletes and Melissa will be actively promoting the forthcoming Polar Plunge at Beaver Island State Park on November 22^nd. Lunch will be included.

Program Meeting Monday October 20th

The next program meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20th from 6:00pm – 8pm. This meeting will take place in Springville at the Microtel. This meeting will be open to all coaches as we will conduct our seasonal wrap up meeting beforehand. Thanks to all those that have confirmed attendance. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Western Regional Bowling - November 1st

Coaches,

The Western Region Bowling event is 4 weeks away. Please see the quotas below- they are based upon last year’s numbers. Registration forms are attached. Any transportation needs must be communicated to the office immediately. Please ensure that registrations are received in the office by Friday, October 24^th

They can be faxed to:

585-586-7065

Or mailed:

Special Olympics New York – Upstate Regions

Attn: Western Regional Bowling

1 Grove Street #216

Pittsford, NY 14534

Allotted Quotas

Niagara Orleans – 37

Chautauqua Lakers – 58

Alle-Cats – 46

Cheers – 10

Hits’ N Misses – 18

Lancaster – 6

Saturday/Sunday Bowling – 33

Cheektowaga – 8

FUTURE CONFERENCES

NEXT CONFERENCE WILL BE DECEMBER 6^TH 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.

Ice Skating comes to the Western Region!!!!!

We are pleased to announce that the 2009 Super Regional Ice-skating competition will take at the Pepsi Center in Buffalo. Registration for this event will be available at the beginning of December. We anticipate having skaters from across the Upstate regions attend!!

Event Date- January 18^th, 2009

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.

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

A Note from Renee Snyder on Applebee’s

Hello Everyone!

We have a tremendous opportunity with over 60 upstate New York Applebee's to raise both funds and awareness for our programs! During the dinner hours of Wednesday, November 5th we will be holding a "Law & Order Marathon" throughout the state! What does this mean? Well, our local law enforcement will be helping the wait staff bus tables, get drinks, greet customers while educating the customers about our initiatives. There will be an envelope on each table, the law enforcement officers will ask each table to leave a donation to benefit Special Olympics New York in addition to their waitresses tip. LETR has been holding these types of events for almost 20 years (formerly Cops & Lobsters) with success, but never with this much potential! If we have the "manpower" to cover each of these locations it will most definitely mean a $25,000+ night for our athletes!!!

What do I need from you? First of all, let's talk this up out there! Have your families, friends and neighbors come out for dinner at Applebee's on November 5th! Also, because we have so many locations we are going to need help stopping by each one, getting pictures and helping out. We also need athletes and families to come out and enjoy this night with us!

I will be sending out a list of the Applebee's locations along with the designated law enforcement captain for each one so we can coordinate athletes and staff. As always, time is not a luxury but we have a great team in place here!

And don't worry Long Island and NYC I am working diligently to get the franchise downstate on board as well. I am hoping to have answer by the end of the week!

This can be the beginning of a great partnership so the next time your thinking about where to have lunch or dinner pick Applebee's!

Thank you!!

Renee Snyder

Senior Development Director

Special Olympics New York

504 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12304-2290

Ph: (518) 388-0790 ext 103 • Fax: (518) 388-0795 • 800-836-6976

rsnyder@nyso.org

www.specialolympicsNY.org

Let me win, but if I cannot let me be brave in the attempt!

Western New York Polar Plunge – November 22nd

SAVE THE Date!

Saturday, November 22^nd, 2008

Beaver Island State Park

Grand Island, NY

When It’s ALL About Just Being Part of the Team!

Why Plunge?

IT’S A BLAST!

Come out and enjoy a fun day at the beach!

Want to stand out? Dress in similar colors, team uniforms or

design a costume theme that will highlight your team!

Large teams make for a fantastic media draw!

Visit www.specialolympicsny.org to register NOW!

Will your team be this year’s TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM?!

Ø Last Year’s Top WNY Fundraising Team: Splashin Snyders - $2,600+

Ø Last Year’s Top WNY Individual Fundraiser: Michael O’Byran - $1,200+

Watch live video of the FUN on You Tube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsnPvu4zx30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=041gXxc_QOQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULJ4vJG2Gqk

Once online you can:

Start your own fundraising page (really quick and easy)
Recruit plunge teammates
Download fundraising tips
Learn about special prizes
Read stories of past plungers!

This is a great way to support Special Olympics and also a fantastic opportunity for athletes and coaches to have a great time. For more information on this event please visit the website or contact Melissa Wiggins:

Melissa Wiggins

Associate Director of Development

Special Olympics NY, Upstate Region

Phone: 585.586.7400 Ext. 105

Fax: 585.586.7065

Email: mwiggins@nyso.org