SOPA and Philadelphia School District Partner for Unified Sports

Unified Soccer Championship Filmed by PSTV, the Public Educational Channel for the School District of Philadelphia

On Friday, May 31, 2013, Special Olympics Pennsylvania's Philadelphia program partnered with the School District of Philadelphia for an inaugural Unified Soccer Championship held at Frankford Memorial Stadium in Philadelphia. Opening Ceremonies were hosted by Veteran Philadelphia Sports Broadcaster Don Tollefson.

The Championship featured teams from 10 Philadelphia high schools from across the city including: Abraham Lincoln, Edward Bok, Frankford, George Washington, High School of the Future, Northeast, Samuel Fels, Thomas Edison, Boy's Latin and University City High School. Approximately 100 athletes culminated months of preparation for these Unified Games and displayed the "best of the best" during the competition.

The United States Department of Education (DOE) released new guidance to schools and school systems throughout the nation that receive federal aid about the requirements of providing quality sports opportunities for students with disabilities on January 25, 2013. Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive sports program that puts athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This first ever rostered Unified Soccer elective course, developed in partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Special Olympics Pennsylvania, includes curriculum with youth leadership components, anti-bullying elements and soccer training and competition.  The course provides greater access to sports for all students, with and without disabilities. 

Attending the event were special guests from Special Olympics International; Pennsylvania elected and appointed officials; City Council members; dignitaries including Dr. William R. Hite Jr., Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia and Pedro A. Ramos, Esq., Chairman of the School Reform Commission; and administrators and staff from both the Philadelphia School District and Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

Dan Kolb from Chester County Wins Sheetz Family Award of Excellence

Athlete Dan Kolb from Chester County is presented the Sheetz Award during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games closing ceremony by Ashley Sheetz. Photo: Abby Drey-Centre Daily Times

The Sheetz Family Award of Excellence recognizes the athlete whose determination and effort can only be understood by the power of the human spirit to overcome obstacles and inspire greatness. The award distinguishes the athlete who may not win, but whose courage, sportsmanship, effort and determination is award winning.

Our 2013 winner is Dan Kolb from Chester County, a 52 year old athlete who has been participating in Special Olympics since its beginning.  He is helpful, kind, considerate, serves as a mentor, and is an outstanding member of his program’s tennis team. 

He plans for the Summer Games throughout the year by not only preparing to play physically, but also by preparing to help other athletes in his sport by purchasing or acquiring rackets and other items for equipment maintenance and improvement.

When his local program arrives at Penn State, Dan steps up and kicks things into high gear.   This “Tennis Pro” helps his fellow teammates and competitors by offering his services and tips for improving their game.  He encourages every player to do their very best and encourages the youngest members of the sport.  Dan also is on the “look out” for players who need upgrades in equipment and will provide new or used rackets to those who need upgrades.  He works at a racket club and when members get new equipment, he encourages them to donate to our sport. 

Anxious to contribute to the sport and help improve the Special Olympics experience for his fellow athletes, Dan currently serves as an athlete on the sports management team, The Athlete Input Council, and was most recently selected to serve as a regional representative for athletes on the state level. 

Cambria County Basket Party Raises Nearly $10,000

Special Olympics PA – Cambria County’s recent Basket Party was a huge success, raising nearly $10,000 this year.   The Program began its event planning by deciding upon a menu for the basket party.  Through the years it has served a variety of sandwiches such as barbeque beef, Sloppy Joes, hot dogs, and a selection of salads and desserts.  The salads and desserts are donated by the coaches and parents. 

The committee splits up a list of businesses in the community to contact for donations.  Each committee person is responsible for contacting the businesses on their list at least 30 to 45 days prior to the event to help determine the number of large prizes it will have.

Cambria County’s committee consists of 10 to 12 coaches and parents.  They start making baskets several months prior to the main event with a goal of creating 200 baskets and soliciting several large prizes (all of which are donated by the community), wreaths containing gift cards from local businesses, door prizes, and a money and lottery tree. 

Lists are created at different sporting events for parents and coaches to volunteer to make a basket or prepare a salad or desert for the event.  The Cambria Program also enlists the help of its parents and coaches in setting up the hall and transporting the baskets the day of the event.  Their athletes assist the in delivering the baskets to the winners, while a volunteer verifies the winning ticket.

Cambria County would be happy to assist any county interested in holding a basket party to get started.  It is a lot of work, but making nearly $10,000 in one afternoon is the reward. 

 

Volunteer of the Month - June 2013

 

Congratulations are extended to John Bressler from our Columbia/Montour Counties program who received Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Volunteer of the Month Award this month (June 2013). The award is presented to an individual who has exhibited exceptional commitment to Special Olympics, demonstrated appreciable time and effort, and has made an outstanding contribution to his/her program.

John is currently the head tennis and bocce coach. He has been a Head of Delegation (HOD), head coach, assistant coach, and/or volunteer at most local, sectional, and state events for the past ten years. He not only coaches tennis and bocce, but also can be seen at soccer, bowling, floor hockey, basketball skills, aquatics and athletics. John also takes responsibility for making sure that all of the training sites have the appropriate equipment. He takes care of the equipment and supervises the setting up and tearing down of the training sites for all of the sports. At each site, he can be found taking charge of the paperwork that includes attendance and score/time sheets. His truck has become home to sports equipment and all of the necessary sports paperwork. John’s job often requires him to put in overtime and work twelve-hour shifts. On the days when there are evening training sessions, he works 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so that he can attend the sessions which often fall on consecutive days.

John has been treasurer for close to ten years. During that time, he has organized the finances and guided the management team towards being continually accountable for their spending and the requesting of funds. During fundraising events, he has the necessary funds ready for making change and requires at least one other management team member or volunteer to be present when tallying up the profits. At meetings, if anyone has a question about a bill or deposit, John knows exactly how much and when it was paid. He keeps a monthly record of what is spent and deposited and handles all of the equipment for the county.

John has been on the Bocce Bash committee since its inception nine years ago. At committee meetings, he is a positive influence for the Bloomsburg University students, often providing financial input and information from the previous invitational so that the students know their budget goals. Making sure he is available to move the bocce courts, rugs and other necessary equipment is a priority for John the week of Bocce Bash. He directs the students for moving the equipment and setting the courts up each year for the tournament.

John is a bocce clinician and official for the state. This has required him to travel to other areas and train both coaches and officials. Because of these roles, there are times when he also sets up tournament sites for sectional and state events. He would then help coordinate and run the venue if needed. Vacation days for John are often determined by when Special Olympics competitions are scheduled. He will schedule days off in advance to ensure that he is not working for the competition, whether it is local, sectional, state or an invitational.

Columbia Montour continually receives high marks on its treasurer reports and financial statements. John has recruited family members to help with not only training events, but also fundraising opportunities and athlete recruitment. He does not hesitate to ask parents and spectators to help if timers or scorekeepers are needed for training.

What makes Special Olympics Pennsylvania Remarkable?

Greetings:

My name is Jessie Salness and I am the newly appointed Lebanon County Athlete Representative, as well as a Track and Field and Powerlifting athlete.  I joined the Lebanon County division of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) in the spring of 2012, and I wanted to tell you a few things that I think are remarkable about SOPA.

I love that we come together to practice and compete as a team, even when we are involved in sports that are often viewed as more individual or solitary sports.  It is wonderful that we support and cheer each other on to do the best that we can, and we often go way beyond what we ever thought was possible!  I know that I have lifted more weight and run faster than ever before, and that hearing the cheers of my fellow athletes helps push me to succeed!

Week after week we show up for practice, try our best, and encourage our fellow athletes, even when we may be frustrated or find things difficult.  There are easier things we could be doing that don't take as much effort, but our effort and perseverance pays off, especially when we compete in our various sporting events!

I often recall our Special Olympics Athlete Oath when competing, and want to remind my fellow athletes:

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

I am proud to be a Special Olympics athlete, and especially proud to be the Lebanon County Athlete Representative.

Sincerely,

Jessie Salness                                                                        

Special Olympics PA - Lebanon County

Athlete Representative

TD Bank is inviting Pennsylvanians to "Be a fan" of Special Olympics, May 13 - June 30!

 

As part of a national partnership, TD Bank is asking their customers to help them raise funds for Special Olympics through a variety of unique and fun ways. This is the 5^th year for this partnership which has seen more than $1 million raised nationwide each year, including more than $400,000 raised for Special Olympics PA the past four years.

Here are just a few ways you can team up with TD Bank to support Pennsylvania’s Special Olympics athletes and reach the new $1.2 million goal:

• For a $5 donation, you can sport a cool "Be a fan" bracelet - just pick one up at any TD Bank location!
• Is all that loose change slowing you down? Take it to a TD Bank Penny Arcade coin counting machine, have it converted to bills and choose to donate a portion (or maybe all?) of your conversion to Special Olympics PA.
• Make an in-store donation next time you're in.
• Take part in one of their special in-store, fun events that will benefit Special Olympics. See your participating local branches for details and say hello to our athletes who will be attending many of these events, so you'll get to meet a hometown hero!

So find your nearest TD Bank at http://www.tdbank.com/net/absearch/, stop by, and "Be a fan" of Special Olympics!

Erie County Basketball Invitational Tournament

The Erie County program, under the guidance of Mary Zubetz, once again held a very successful 3v3 and 5v5 basketball invitational tournament.  On April 13^th, over 250 athletes, coaches and volunteers met at Girard High School for a day of fierce round ball competition.  The Erie County teams were challenged by the Warren County teams and a terrific time was had by all.  Lunch was provided and the coveted Gus Macker Awards presented.  If you live in the Northwest corner of Pennsylvania, why not consider attending this tournament next year?

Many thanks to Mary, and the entire Erie County team, and Girard High School for the generous use of its facility.