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Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Special Olympics Georgia.Don't forget to add susan.skolnick@specialolympicsga.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.Georgia's ChampionsFebruary 2016Be a Fan. Bring Out the Champion in Everyone.Help support our mission:News and StoriesUpcoming Events2016 State Indoor Winter Games AndSoutheast Powerlifting Defeat The WeatherPolar PlungeFebruary 20The rain, sleet, snow, and ice couldn't keep the 2016State Indoor Winter Games and Southeast PowerliftingCompetition from taking place January 22 - 24.While many agencies unfortunately had to scratch fromthe competitions, and the Opening Ceremony, OlympicTown, and Healthy Athletes Screenings had to becancelled, 982 athletes, 371 coaches, and 44 unified partners were still able tocompete at the Winter Games in 3-on-3 basketball, basketball skills, basketballtraditional team play, basketball unified team play, bowling, floorhockey, and roller skating.In addition, 145 athletes, coaches, and unifiedpartners from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina,South Carolina, and Tennessee showed theirstrength at the Southeast PowerliftingCompetition.With decisions needing to be made last minute,many of our venues being closed or on a delay,and a lot of rearranging of venues andre-bracketing of competitions, it definitely took a lot of teamwork to pulleverything off. A HUGE THANK YOU to the Games Organizing Committee,venue directors, volunteer coordinators,Announcing thereturn of theplunge, the2016 PolarPlunge,Saturday,February 20 atLake LanierIsland.Prepare yourself for the season of"Freezin' For A Reason!" Theseventh-annual Polar Plunge isthe largest fundraising effortbenefiting Special Olympics.Participants collect pledges fromfriends and family in exchange forthe opportunity to jump into icywaters in the middle of winter.Prizes are awarded in severalcategories, including bestcostume, highest individualfundraiser, highest team fundraiserand many more. Go towww.plungega.org for completeevent information and registration.Vibe RideFebruary 20
volunteers, medical staff, heads of delegations,Ride to raisecoaches, athletes, unified partners, familymoneymembers, and officials for all pulling together,for SOGA atassisting with whatever was needed, andVIBE RIDE!showing patience and understanding with all ofSign up for athe uncertainties. It truly was a team effort, and as60 minute cycling class for 25,the old adage goes, Team Work Makes Thewith all proceeds going to SOGA!Dream Work!Saturday, February 20 from2-3 pm. 950 W Peachtree St. NWConn Jackson and 11Alive Atlanta & Company featured an amazing story,(free parking). Visit"Heart of Champions. Athletes Share True Spirit of Special Olympics"www.theviberide.com to sign upon the January 28 show. Click on the abovetoday!hyperlinked story title to see the heartwarmingpiece and meet some of our incredible athletes.The Winter Games and SE PowerliftingCompetition would not have been possiblewithout the generous support and friendship ofthe following sponsors: MetLife, Lockheed MartinAero Club, Winter Companies, Cox Automotive,firstPRO Inc., Allied World Assurance, AnthemFoundation, Commercial Property Professionals,Granite Properties, Nypro Packaging, EconisLabs, Engel & Volkers, Bank of America, Bennett Thrasher, Cobb EMC, WaltonEMC, Dream Ride Foundation, Cobb P.A.R.K.S., Smyrna Parks andRecreation, Idealease, RR Donnelley, and 92.9The Game.Concert With A CauseFebruary 21Lauda Musicam ofAtlanta presentsWhere Did theLove Go? TheLoveless Renaissance as part ofits Concert with a Cause February21 at 3:00pm at the Church of theNew Covenant (3330 ChestnutDrive, Doraville). Following theconcert, the ensemble will offer an"instrument petting zoo," allowingthe audience to see theVote Daily for SOGA To Win TheSweetWater Gives Charity Donation ContestSpecial Olympics Georgia has recently beeninstruments up close and evenplay them. A free-will offering willtake place after the concert, with allproceeds going to SOGA.selected as one of 20 charities that hasSenoia Racewaythe opportunity to receive a 2,000April 23donation from SweetWater Brewing.Vote once a day, every day, from nowuntil midnight February 15, and after thevoting period ends, the five organizations with the most votes will each receivea 2,000 donation from SweetWater Brewing.So, since 2016 is an election year, let's get some practice in our civic duty bystuffing the ballet box for SOGA! You can vote once a day, or multiple times ifyou have more than one email address.Please share this information with others, put it on your social media accounts,or whatever else you can do to draw voters to the website and SOGA. Clickhere to cast your first of many votes for SOGA!Lookingto getinvolvedin racing and support SOGA at thesame time? Sponsor a lap atSenoia Raceway on April 23 forSpecial Olympics Georgia Night!You will be promoted heavilythroughout the event. Proceedswill go to SOGA. All athletes will beadmitted free for the night ofracing. For more information,contact Robin Fabrick or 770-4149390 x112.Athlete of the Month: Tavis CrawfordTavis Crawford, better known as the "Gentle Giant", hasbeen participating in Special Olympics with Henry CountySchools since 2008. He is currently a student atOver The EdgeMay 7
Stockbridge High School, and his favorite sports areDo you want tobasketball and flag football. Tavis has the most awesomeexperiencesportsmanlike behavior of any athlete. If his team issomething newwinning, he is high fiving his teammates and coaches,and daring? Doand if they are losing, he is doing everything imaginableyou want to take your support toto lift up their spirits! His favorite words are: "Come onnew Heights? Do you want to haveGuys, we can do this!"an experience that not only willWhen you see Tavis, physically, he is a huge young manthat appears to be overpowering.that is until you meethim. He is the most mannerable, courteous young manTavis Crawfordwith coachTiffany Priceyou remember forever but that willhave a huge impact on yourcommunity and this organization?Registration is OPEN for anyoneyou would ever want to meet. His compassion for his teammates andwho is up for the challenge!! Theclassmates is beyond awesome. He loves cheering all participants on, nofifth annual Over the Edge will bematter what sports they are participating in. And after the game is over,Saturday, May 7.whether his team won or lost, he is the first to shake hands and greet hisopponents.Help our athletes to reach newheights!! We challenge you to stepTwo weeks ago, Henry County Schools was all ready and excited to go to theOver the Edge for SpecialState Indoor Winter Games. They had picked up athletes from 4 schools in theOlympicscounty, and Tavis' school was the last pick-up. As he was coming down theGeorgiasidewalk to get on the bus, they got the dreaded phone call that alland ourextra-curricular activities were suspended for the entire weekend. This meantincrediblethat Henry County Schools was not going to be able go to the games. Tavisathleteshadn't even had a chance to get on the bus. His big sweet face was sad, andthatthen he said, "We'll get em next year!" The world would be a much better placechallengeif we all had an awesome attitude like Tavis.themselves every day. Over theEdge is an exclusive opportunityIt is with great pleasure that we recognize Tavis Crawford as the Februaryfor individuals to take their supportAthlete of the Month.of athletes of Special OlympicsGeorgia to new heights. InVolunteer of the Month: Lore GriffinEdge and rappelling downvolunteering with HenryOverlook III Building in Vinings!County Schools SpecialThis event is a unique combinationOlympics for over 10 years,of thrill and philanthropy! Go toalong with her husband Normwww.oteatlanta2106.com to getand her sons Matt andstarted! For more information,Nicholas. Lore actually lives incontact Kristin Hill.Jackson County, but it wasHenry County Schools busparticipants will have the rareexperience of stepping Over theLore Griffin has beenthrough her mother who is aexchange for raising money,Lore Griffin (in blue LETR shirt) with the 2014supervisor that she gotgold medal team.involved with Henry County Schools Special Olympics.Lore doesn't just show up to chaperone and watch athletes. She helps clotheand feed them. She supplies them with meals and will go out and buy shorts,toiletries, and whatever else they need.Lore initially started volunteering with the bowling teams, and her sons wereunified partners. As her sons got older, they wanted to be on the basketballteam. Lore then became the team mom! She makes sure that they have water,Gatorade, and supplies basketballs for the team to have at State Games topractice. The Special Olympians love her and her family, and Henry CountyDuck PluckAugust 12Rubber DuckSeason IsOfficially Open!It's that time ofyear folks.it's"Duck Pluck 2016" time. On August12th at Post Chastain Pool, therewill be 10,000 rubber duckiesswimming around just waiting to
Schools doesn't know what they would do if she wasn't able to come to Stateget chosen. YOUR duck just mayWinter Games!!!be the lucky one to get plucked!Adopt one of our rubber ducks forFor Winter Games, Henry County Schools was in need of partners for theironly 5. If your adopted rubberteam. Lore was able to get partners involved from the Jackson County Highduck is one of the first five plucked,School Football team, in which she is a Booster Club member. She made sureyou could win great prizes. Youthat the boys were transported down to Henry County to practice with the teamdon't have to be present to win.and get to know the players. On the Friday of Winter Games, before thesuperintendent cancelled all extra-curricular activities, Lore had the boys inEvery donation counts, and youher car and was halfway to Cobb County before she got the call that Henrywill make a difference. A 5County Schools wouldn't be competing. She and the boys were disappointed,donation will feed one athlete abut they vowed they'd be back again next year.meal at State Games. A 30donation for a Quack Pack willLore is not just a great volunteer, but she is a sister and a friend to Henryprovide gold, silver and bronzeCounty Schools Special Olympics. It is for all of these reasons that Lore Griffinmedals for one competition atis more than deserving to be the February Volunteer of the Month!State Games. For more informationSponsor of the Month: Cox AutomotiveState Platinum Partneror to "Adopt A Duck", please visitwww.AtlantaDuckPluck.com.VolunteerCox Automotive has been a proudadvocate and friend to SpecialOlympics Georgia for 12 years throughOpportunitiesyear-round financial and volunteersupport at our competitions and events. Cox Automotive employees and theirfamilies cheer on the athletes during the competitions, lend a hand withwhatever is needed, and make the awards ceremonies memorable for eachathlete. In addition to supporting the State Winter and Summer Games, CoxAutomotive is also the Presenting Sponsor of Over The Edge and providesvolunteer assistance at year-round local competitions.Cox Automotive believes in the power of participation and knows that togetherwe can make a difference. As a company, Cox Automotive not only istransforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars. It's helping totransform our communities. Cox Automotive and its employees focus onunique and meaningful ways to collaborate with community partners andexpand its reach in the community."Cox Automotive truly values ourpartnership with Special OlympicsGeorgia. Our employees love anyand every opportunity to volunteer atthe State Winter and SummerState Summer GamesMay 20-22AtlantaVolunteers are needed to help atvenues and be fans in thestands. To apply to volunteer,please click here.State Masters BowlingAugust 26-28Warner RobinsState Horse ShowGames, as well as local eventsState Fall Gamesincluding bocce ball and track andOctober 7-9field. Special Olympics games are afavorite among employees - we canall identify with working towards a goal and celebrating moments of triumph.Our volunteers become cheerleaders, confidants and shoulders to lean on.Seeing smiles on the athletes' faces, sharing a high-five, and encouragingthem to work harder next time keeps us coming back for more. Our company isproud to partner with such a respected and trusted organization," says JenniferGainesvilleIf you are interested involunteering for any of theopportunities above, pleasecontact Whitney Warren.Bronner, Senior Manager, Community Relations.Thank you Cox Automotive for all that you do! Know that as part of the SpecialPromotions
Olympics Georgia family, you are impacting and changing thousands oflives - the athletes, their families, and the community as a whole.There are currently several greatways to earn free money for SOGAathletes. If you have questions onKroger Community Rewards Kroger Community Rewards makes supportingSpecial Olympics Georgia super easy.all youhave to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your PlusCard!any of these promotions, pleasecontact Susan Skolnick or770-414-9390 x111.Vehicle DonationsAre youSign up with your 12 digit Kroger Plus Cardnumber at www.kroger.com/community rewards,and in the Community Rewards section, selectSpecial Olympics Georgia (code 57973) as the organization you wish tosupport. Once you're enrolled, you'll earn rewards for Special OlympicsGeorgia every time you shop and use your Plus Card, and you'll keep earningrewards/fuel points for yourself.Enroll now for the Kroger Community Rewards Program (you must re-enrolleach year to continue earning rewards for SOGA). If your Kroger Plus Card isnot already registered online, you will need to create an account. If you alreadyhave an account, simply sign in, find the Community Rewards section, andselect Special Olympics Georgia.Fundraising OpportunitiesVolunteers are needed to help identify and/orapproach potential corporate sponsors andindividual donors for the State Summer Gamesand Duck Pluck. This is an extremely importantcomponent to the success of Summer Games, asit is funded by sponsorships/donations. Bygenerating new ideas and discovering new opportunities that can help usmeet or exceed our revenue goals, you will make a vital contribution toSOGA. For more information, contactSusan Skolnick or 770-414-9390 x111.thinking ofselling ortrading inthat old car,boat or RV?Why not donate it instead? As acharitable contribution, yourdonation will make a bigdifference. SOGA has partneredwith CARS to turn your old vehicle,whether it's running or not, intomuch needed funds for ourprogram. CARS accepts most cars,trucks, trailers, boats, RV's,motorcycles, off road vehicles,heavy equipment, and most othermotorized vehicles. CARS willmake all the arrangements at nocost to you. They handle the titletransfer requirements and willprovide you with a writtenacknowledgment of your donationand tax deduction information.Click here for more informationor to donate your vehicle, and ahelpful representative will contactyou within 24 hours to schedule apickup, or you can call CARSThe SOGA Community Makes a DifferenceWe often receive calls from individuals,companies, and groups who have an ideafor a fundraiser and want to donate theproceeds to SOGA. Every single fundraisingeffort, no matter the financial outcome, isseven days a week toll-free at 1855-500-RIDE to speak with arepresentative.Kroger CommunityRewards very significant and makes a tremendousKroger Communitydifference. We extend our heartfelt gratitudeRewards makesto the following:supporting SpecialWinter Companies golf tournamentraised 81,242.Olympics Georgiasuper easy.all youhave to do is shop at Kroger andForward to a FriendWe're fortunate to have you as part of the Special Olympics Georgia family. Ourswipe your Plus Card! Sign up withyour 12 digit Kroger Plus Cardnumber at
goal is to reach as many potentialwww.kroger.com/communitysponsors, volunteers and athletes asrewards, and in the Communitypossible, so please help us grow theRewards section, select Specialfamily even more. Please forward thisOlympics Georgia (code 57973) ase-newsletter to your friends and familythe organization you wish toso they can sign up to also receive thesupport. Once you're enrolled,monthly enewsletter!you'll earn rewards for SpecialTell Us Your StoryOlympics Georgia every time youshop and use your Plus Card, andyou'll keep earning rewards/fuelWe want to tell your stories!Email Susan Skolnick with a storyabout a Special Olympics event orperson who has inspired you! You canalso submit your story online.points for yourself. Enroll now forthe Kroger Community RewardsProgram (you must re-enroll eachyear to continue earning rewardsfor SOGA). If your Kroger PlusCard is not already registeredonline, you will need to create anaccount. If you already have anaccount, simply sign in, find theCommunity Rewards section, andselect Special Olympics Georgia.AmazonSmileAmazonSmileis a simpleand automaticway for you to support SOGA everytime you shop, at no cost to you.When you shop atsmile.amazon.com, you'll find theexact same low prices, vastselection, and convenientshopping experience asAmazon.com, with the addedbonus that Amazon will donate aportion of the purchase price backto SOGA. On your first visit toAmazonSmile, select SpecialOlympics Georgia to receivedonations from eligible purchasesbefore you begin shopping. Then,always shop Amazon throughAmazonSmile, and every eligiblepurchase you make will result in adonation.DialAmericaMagazine SubscriptionsDialAmerica will donate 10% of
your paid subscription to SOGA. Tosubscribe, call 877-872-2362between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. orclick here.Give Us YourOld Cell PhonesLooking for anEASY way to giveback to yourcommunity &support SOGA? Our Phone Bonesproject recycles old cell phones toraise funds for SOGA and helpsour environment.Other items that we recycle areempty toner/printer cartridges,laptops and iPods. In addition toturning in your own items, we canwork with you to set up a collectionat your business with your friendsand family.We'll send you a flyer to post, acollection box and we'll even payfor shipping if you'll collect theitems to be recycled! It's an easyway to give back to SpecialOlympics athletes across Georgia!!Contact Whitney Warren or 229712-9973.Quick LinksPrincipals of CoachingSponsorsFAQsOur Web siteContact us4000 Dekalb Technology Pkwy Suite 400 Bldg. 400 Atlanta, GA 30340 (770) 414-9390 www.SpecialOlympicsGA.orgSpecial Olympics Georgia Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved.Follow Us:Donate Forward to a friend Visit Our Web site
Feb 12, 2009 · Granite Properties, Nypro Packaging, Econis Labs, Engel & Volkers, Bank of America, Bennett Thrasher, Cobb EMC, Walton EMC, Dream Ride Foundation, Cobb P.A.R.K.S., Smyrna Parks and Recreation, Idealease, RR Donnelley, and 92.9 The Game. Vote Daily for SOGA To Win The SweetWater Gives Charity Donation
