Special Olympics of Tippecanoe County 

  Special Times

May 2004 - Vol. 9, Issue 2

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

Statement of Newsletter Purpose: To inform the entire Tippecanoe County Community about the opportunities available for participation as athletes, partners, coaches and volunteers in our local Special Olympics Program.

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Directors' Corner

                   Help   Help   Help   Help
This is the time of year we need extra money with Summer Games around the corner.  We are trying to get this accomplished by the Sponsor-An-Athlete campaign.  Each athlete cost us around $100 to send to Summer Games.  We are sending 67 this year, so we really need your help getting sponsorships.  Please contact us at 589-8252 or 430-4820 to get copies of this letter to give to your employment, organization or anyone you think might help us.

Jan & Gary Beeker

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A "BIG THANK YOU" to Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Kappa Tau for the Meet of Champions this April.  
The athletes greatly appreciate you spending time to show them a good time!!!

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Thank you for your support:

Lafayette Breakfast Optimist Club

Peggy Hoover
Metaldyne/David C. Thomas
Edon Machine Co. Employees
Chapter Ch-P.E.O. Sisterhood

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Congratulations to this year's Award Winners

The Recognition Banquet for Special Olympics of Tippecanoe County was held February 22, 004.  We want to congratulate all Athletes for their enthusiasm and participation in their chosen sports this past year.  Also, A Big High Five goes to our individual award winners:

Congratulations to all and keep up the good work!!!!!

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Fundraisers Updates

Keep selling those Krispy Kreme certificates.  Each sells for $5 with our program receiving $2.50 for each.  So far, we have made $92.50 for our organization.  We would like to recognize Mike Gramman, athlete, as the top Krispy Kreme certificate fundraiser to date!!!  Contact Jan Beeker at 589-8252 for the certificates to sell.

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Special Olympics Sports Camp is offered again this year

Special Olympics Indiana and Waycross Episcopal Camp have teamed to provide a sports camp for those athletes 16 years of age or older.  This year's camp runs during the week of July 6  to July 10.  The cost is $150.  Contact Jan Beeker at 589-8252 if you are interested in attending.

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Air Show tickets Available to Athletes

The Board of Directors of the Terre Haute International Airport has given Special Olympics of Tippecanoe County some tickets to the Terre Haute Air Fair 2004 at Hulman Field in Terre Haute on Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11.  Transportation will not be provide by Special Olympics.  If you and your family would like to attend, contact Charlie Young at 463-2337.  A limited number of tickets are available and they'll be given on a first come, first served basis until gone (limit of 4 per athlete).

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Horseback Riding is now offered as a Special Olympics Sport

Special Olympics Indiana is now offering Equestrian sports.  Locally, there are now two Special Olympics Certified Coaches for Equestrian Sports operating with the CHAPS program at Camp Tecumseh.  The CHAPS is an NARHA Premier Accredited Program.
     The next session starts June 7 and runs thru August 13.  Participants ride once weekly.  The cost is $28 per weekly lesson.  This year's Special Olympics Equestrian State Games will be held at St. Mary's of the Woods in Terre Haute, IN, on September 11, 2004.
     Contact Melinda Wiggins at 765-563-3797 or chaps@purdue.com for more information or to register.  Registration deadline for this summer's session is May 12.

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Note to Athletes:

Volleyball is not being offered this year because the State moved it to being a spring sport and most athletes this spring have chosen to be in track or swimming.  Therefore, we don't have enough athletes to make up a team.

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Athlete Column

My name is James Harvey, and I have been in Special Olympics for four years.  I play basketball and I enjoy it.  I was gone for three years and missed playing and missed all the people who are involved.  I am glad to be back and glad all the other are still involved.
     I love all the players and the coaches.  I would like to play three more years and then coach for the team.  I hope we go to the State.  Good luck to all the players on all the teams.

James Harvey, Athlete

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More Social Activities are available to Athletes through The ARC

For those athletes who would like to get out and do more things, then join The ARC.  The ARC is an advocacy group helping individuals with all types of disabilities.
     The ARC sponsors monthly social activities.  These might include the local movie theatre, dances, and occasionally an out-of-town activity.
     If you would like to get on the mailing list, call Gina Mundell at 423-5531, ext. 408, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
     The group's annual meeting is May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Ivy Tech in Ivy Hall.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Jennifer Hoover, Athlete

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2004 - Callout and Special Events Calendar - 2004
May 15 SAT Spring Sports Area Games at North Montgomery High School
  Sundays Unified Softball Practices -- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Arni Cohen Fields, WL (it's not too late to join)
May 19 WED ALPs Input Council Meeting -- 7 pm -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
  Saturdays Golf Practice -- 4:30 p.m. -- Edwood Glen Golf Course, West Lafayette (it's not too late to join)
June 2 WED County Volunteer Special Olympics Meeting -- 7:30 pm -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
June 4,5,6 FRI/SAT/SUN Indiana State Special Olympics Summer Games at Indiana State University, Terre Haute
June 7 MON Horseback Riding Session Begins -- The CHAPS Program at Camp Tecumseh
June 12 SAT Traditional Softball Team Practice Starts -- 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. -- Arni Cohen Fields, WL
June 16 WED ALPs Input Council Meeting -- 7 pm -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
July 6-10 TUE - FRI Sports Camp at Waycross for 16 and older
July 7 WED County Volunteer Special Olympics Meeting -- 7:30 pm -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
July 10 & 11 SAT/SUN Terre Haute Air Fair 2004 -- Hulman Field in Terre Haute, IN
July 21 WED ALPs Input Council Meeting -- 7 pm -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
July 24 SAT Weeklong Camp at Potato Creek State Park
July 31 SAT Golf Section Tournament -- Edwood Glen Golf Course, West Lafayette
Aug 4 WED County Volunteer Special Olympics Meeting - 7:30 pm - Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
Aug 15 SUN White County Expo for Special Persons -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Fairground in Reynolds
Aug 18 WED ALPs Input Council Meeting -- 7 pm -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
Aug 21 SAT Midwest Sports Fest:  Softball State Tournament - Traditional and Golf State Tournament -- Midwest Sports Complex in Indianapolis
Aug 22 SUN Midwest Sports Fest:  Softball State Tournament -- Unified -- Midwest Sports Complex
Sept 1 WED County Volunteer Special Olympics Meeting - 7:30 pm - Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette
Sept 11 SAT Swimming starts -- 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. -- West Lafayette High School Pool
Sept 11 SAT Equestrian Sports State Competition -- St. Mary's of the Woods, Terre Haute, IN
Sept 12 SUN Bowling Season starts -- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Market Square Lanes, Lafayette
*Note: ALPs meetings are now the third Wednesday of each month -- 7 p.m. -- Kathryn Weil Center, Lafayette*

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Special Olympics of Tippecanoe County:
County Co-Coordinators: Jan & Gary Beeker 589-8252 Area Director: Gary Boardman 477-6086
Individual Sports Director: Charlie Young 463-2337 Volunteer Coordinator: Dixie Stinson 447-5380
Newsletter Editor: Cathy Young 463-2337 ALPs Facilitators: Lyn & Mike Doyle 463-2449
If you or anyone you know are interested in Special Olympics either as a participant or volunteer, 
contact any of the above named persons.
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 Special Olympics Indiana - Tippecanoe County
P. O. Box 4801
Lafayette IN 47903
http://www.lafayette-online.com/specialolympics

Newsletter is published three times yearly by Special Olympics Tippecanoe County - Cathy Young, Editor