The Philadelphia Program’s First Ever Young Athletes Program

 

Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Philadelphia held its first ever Young Athletes Program on Sunday, April 26th at the Northeast Philadelphia YMCA for children ages 2 through 7. With a capped registration of 18 children split between the two classes, their first session was an absolute success!
 

This event is the first of many Philadelphia program Young Athlete 8-week programs to come with the hopes of continuing to grow throughout other areas in Philadelphia.  Feedback from parents about the need for a program of this nature has been overwhelming and the program is excited to finally have it underway, with a waiting list already established for the next session!  

To learn more about the Young Athletes Program and get your child on the waiting list, or to volunteer check out www.sopaphilly.org/youngathletes.

“Meet and Greet” at Waynesburg University

On April 18, 2015, students from Waynesburg University met with prospective athletes from Greene County for a “Meet and Greet” from 10 AM until 2 PM.  Over 60 students participated by providing publicity in the months prior to the event, photo and press coverage during the event, baking and acquiring donated food, setting up equipment for demonstrations, facilitating the demonstrations of volleyball, basketball and bocce, and working with future athletes to have a fun and informative day.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Greene County program is now ready to start training and competing again.  The newly organized management team will begin scheduling recreational league practices in bocce soon. 

Many thanks to Jim Tanda, Randi Chambers and Brianna Watt for their commitment to making Special Olympics come alive again in Greene County!  Many thanks also to the students of Waynesburg University who committed their time and talent to making this happen.  April 18th will go down as a great day for Special Olympics!

Special Olympics PA - Armstrong /Indiana County Program Prepares for Horse Show

The Equestrian Team representing Special Olympics PA’s Armstrong/Indiana county program has been training since October for its second annual horse show competition to be held on April 18 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Sergent Stables, 77 Horseshoe Drive in Indiana, PA.

Click here to read a Tribune-Review article about the upcoming event.  For more information: Contact Kristen Kalanavich at 724-388-5272, or email soeqteam@gmail.com.

Successful Philadelphia Program Events' Recap!

The 30th Annual Leprechaun Run was a Wet Success

It couldn't have been any wetter for the 30th Annual Leprechaun Run, but over 500 runners and walkers braved the rain to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Philadelphia. The Leprechaun Run was held on Saturday, March 14th adjacent to the Philadelphia Art Museum and Paine’s Park.

Prior to the race, managers from the Ambler, Langhorne and Philadelphia branches of Sam’s Club presented a check to Special Olympics Pennsylvania from their fundraising efforts equaling more than $200,000!  Following the Sam’s Club’s check presentation, participants were welcomed by Philadelphia athlete Lisa Barbour, who thanked participants for coming and led the crowd in reciting the Athlete Oath.   Lisa kicked off the race and off they went!

We concluded the Leprechaun Run by presenting awards to the top overall finishers and the top male and female in various age categories.  Everyone left wet and with a smile on their face as they said farewell to the 30th annual Leprechaun Run.  Click here to view event photos courtesy of TriState Media Productions.

Spring Fling Athlete Dance

The Philadelphia Program hosted a ‘Spring Fling Athlete Dance’ on Saturday and it was a huge success!  Current athletes, potential athletes, families and friends all joined us for a few hours of dancing and fun. Organized by our Athlete Committee and supported by Peggy Barbour and Coach Kit, the dance had over 75 people in attendance.  Through a $5 door fee, the event even raised approximately $300 for the program!  It was a great opportunity for the community to connect outside of practice and competition. The athletes are excited for the next one!

The Paterno Family Island 5K Run

Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Schuylkill County is pleased to announce a new partnership with Penn State Schuylkill, The Paterno Family Island 5K Run. The Paterno family and Penn State University have a long and generous history of supporting Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. The Paterno family is expanding the reach of their annual Beaver Stadium Run by including Penn State Schuylkill as the first commonwealth campus to host a 5K on the same weekend! Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department is proud to partner with Special Olympics of Schuylkill County and Penn State Schuylkill to provide a beautiful park and course route.

Island Park, located in Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, is an ideal location where runners will start and end the race. The course route will include a brisk run through a quiet neighborhood in Schuylkill Haven. All of the money raised by participants will be used to support the Special Olympics’ Schuylkill County program.

The Paterno Family Island 5K Run will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015.  Registration for the 5K will be held from 7:30-8:30am; the race starts at 9am. Registration for the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will be held from 9:00-9:30am; the Fun Run/Walk will be held following the 5K at at 10:00am.

The Penn State Nittany Lion will be in attendance and face painting will be available.  Delicious samples of Yuengling’s Ice Cream will be available.  Additionally, Healthy Haven will have an informational tent as will other community organizations.

Click here to register online for The Paterno Family Island 5K Run through Pretzel City Sports. Any questions please email islandrun5k@gmail.com or call 570-294-2423.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WARREN COUNTY HEALTH FAIR!

Cynthia Zaffuto prepares for her blood pressure screening

On February 7, 2015, at Holy Redeemer Church Gym, the Special Olympics PA - Warren County Program, with a donation from BEI, Inc., held a Health Fair for their community of athletes.  This very successful fair included Blood Pressure screenings, vital signs – pulse and respiration, Pulse Oximetry to measure oxygenation saturation, height, weight and BMI readings and blood sugar screening with a glucometer.  A Dental Hygienist was available to answer questions and provide sample products and a vision screening team was on hand to test vision.

The goal for the Warren County program was to connect athletes with the medical community and to provide information and resources about their health needs.

Lunch was provided for all.

Bucks County Athlete, Kevin Grow, Shoots and Scores!

Kevin Grow, a Special Olympics PA – Bucks County athlete, was recently featured on Channel 6 ABC News, ESPN and in the Philadelphia Inquirer for his star performance on the basketball court as a part of the Bensalem High school Owls.  Grow, who had served as manager for the basketball team for four years, was given an opportunity to play in two games that showed the world through, social media, that he could hit foul shots, sink fast break layups, shoot three pointers and steal the hearts of many.  Click here to read the Inquirer article and view video of his performance below.