Weekly Program Report:

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


This Week in the Western Region
Week of: June 23rd, 2008
Special Olympics News
Firstly, a big thank you to all the coaches an athletes that attended State Games in Binghamton. A great time was had by all. And secondly, special thanks to Shelby and Liz for making sure that everything was smooth for our Western delegation. Great job by all!!!

Please check out the following links on the SONY website for coverage of this amazing event:

http://www.nyso.org/

In this week’s report we have the fall calendar (see above attachment) and some more information about the upcoming conference in July. Online registration will be available next week and we encourage everyone to come and participate. As a reminder, the conference is a great way to renew or to begin the certification process and we encourage everyone to attend.

Finally, if you would like to nominate someone for the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award we need to receive your nominations as soon possible. The event is taking place on Sunday, August 17th and we need your nominations! Thanks in advance

NEXT Week’s Report: Online conference registration.

I hope everyone has a great summer and thanks once again!!


Kimberly Hasper
We are sad to announce the passing of Kimberly Hasper. Kimberly enjoyed Special Olympics and competed in several events, including swimming, skiing, soccer skills, volleyball and bowling. Kim had lived at an MHR community residence through the Rehabilitation Center since 1989. Kim also worked at SubCon industries and participated in Continuing Day Treatment. Kim passed away June 12th after a brief illness. Kim’s familiy are asking that anyone who wishes, make a donation to Special Olympics in Kim's name.


Fall Conference
We will be running our fall conference on Saturday July 26th. At present we are finalizing location details and we will make this information and online registration available next week.

As a service to our coaches we will be offering certification classes – we will only be offering certification in two fall sports so please e-mail us with the sports that you or your coaches are interested in and we will select the two most popular choices.

More information will be available next week.

Disability Awareness Night


Disability Awareness Night

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
NOMINATION FORM
To nominate a person or organization for the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award, please supply the following information:
Nominating Source:
Name/Title:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email:
Nominated Individual:
Nominated Organization w/representative name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email:
Background and Contribution: (please be sure to include ways the individual or organization has contributed to some improvement, change or inspiration)
Please fax your nominations to the office: 585-586-7065


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
Pedal 4 Medals
A Cycling Vacation to benefit Special Olympics

We would like to personally invite you to participate in the 2008 Pedal 4 Medals, 300 mile Cycling Vacation. The June 25th – 29th 2008 Pedal for Medals Ride is a cyclist’s dream comes true! Where else can anyone who loves to bicycle find the opportunity to spend four glorious days riding his or her bike through some of the most beautiful country anywhere? Start in the beautiful Adirondacks and pedal down to the Finger Lakes. On top of that, riders enjoy three great meals and numerous beverage and snack rest stops each day, excellent hotel accommodations each night, bag transfers between hotels and full SAG support throughout the ride. Riders of all ability levels will enjoy the ride…it’s not a race! This year we are offering a Metric Century if you are unable to commit to a 4 day ride. We have some great prizes, incentives and awards this year, including a new Iron Horse Bike valued at $750 and a full Pedal 4 Medals cycling apparel kit. That’s right; everyone that registers for this ride will have at least one chance to ride home on a new bike!
For event details contact Melissa Wiggins at 585-586-7400 x105.

Save the Date
2nd Annual Bocce Bash
September 6, 2008, Paetec Park, Rochester
To benefit Special Olympics NY-Genesee Region

*For event details contact Melissa Wiggins


*Please note- this is a work in progress. Events will be added / subtracted. If you have any event/training that you would like included please e-mail me with the information. Thanks in advance

To be removed please e-mail rmitchell@nyso.org




Sincerely,

Robin Mitchell
Program Director
Special Olympics New York- Genesee/Western
Contact me at:
Off: 585-586-7400 ext 107
Fax: 585- 586-7065
Cell: 201-600-6866
www.nyso.org

rmitchell@nyso.org