Impact Through SupportCountdown to Area Summer Games:
2010-03-13 8:00:00 GMT-05:00!
March 13 @ 8am, USF Tampa
Countdown to State Summer Games:
2010-5-14 9:00:00 GMT-05:00!
May 14 @ 9am, Wide World of Sports, Orlando
Coming Events
- Area Summer Games at USF Tampa - March
13, 8am-4pm
- Kayaking Fundraiser - April 10
Click here to view full event calendar.
Special Olympics Needs Your Help!
Special
Olympics Polk County is is need of funds to purchase a mini-van and have
it "wrapped". This van will be used to transport athletes to and from
events without having to rent as many vans each season. SOPC is looking
for major contributors. If anyone knows of a company that would like to
be a major contributor, we will have that company/companies listed on
the side of the van...it will be a means of "moving advertisement" for
that company.
Please contact Kimberly McHugh at 863-934-0261. Other sponsorships are needed to wrap two trailers that SOPC already own.
Special Olympic Members Kimberly McHugh and Ruth Lee become Moose Lodge Members
Fall Games on Sun Sports After Fall State Games in November
Special Olympics Florida's third TV show of 2009 will air on Sun Sports network throughout November and December. This show will recap the 2009 State Fall Games.
These half-hour programs will be closed captioned for hearing impaired viewers. As always, be sure to check your local listings for exact times and dates and for additional broadcast dates.
Message From Our County Coordinator
Our volunteers are the foundation of Special Olympics Polk (SOPC) and the
results of their dedication and efforts can be seen in the smiles of our
athletes! Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation I have for all
who are a part of SOPC. I encourage you to become a part of our mission,
whether you are a volunteer, unified partner, family member, or athlete.
Please consider contributing to our
community of champions! I challenge you to consider what you can do to
help..no matter how big or small - your efforts will make a difference in
the lives of many!
Kimberly McHugh, County Coordinator
Special
Olympics is a global nonprofit organization targeting the nearly 200 million
people round the world who have intellectual disabilities.
Our Mission
The mission of Special Olympics POLK is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Click here to pledge to end the use of the R-Word
First Annual Kayaking Fundraiser
On April 10, 2010 be a part of the first annual historical event while helping to raise money for Special Olympics Polk County. Monies raised will go towards uniforms, training, competition, food, and sporting equipment for Polk County Special Olympic athletes. There are currently around 500 athletes in Polk County. Special Olympics is a non-profit organization and all events are offered to athletes at no cost to the families.
Click here for more information.
Registration: Click here to register
Donations: Click here to make donations and become a fundraiser.
Special thanks to Civitan Club of Auburndale who has kicked off this fundraiser with a generous donation of $500.
2008 Torch Run
2009 Torch Run
Athlete of the Month for March/April
Jasmine Swain
Jasmine Swain is the athlete of the month for March/April. Jasmine is 16 years old and is a Junior at Doris Sanders Learning Center. She has been in Special Olympics for 3 years. She has participated in basketball for three years, bowling for 2 years, Track & Field for two years, and last year joined the Power-Lifting team. Jasmine loves participating in Special Olympics. Her favorite sport is her newly founded Power-lifting event! Jasmine competed in the bench press at state, lifting 160 pounds. She also competed in the Deadlift, lifting 375 pounds! She showed-off her "Girl Power" by placing first, bringing home the gold for the girls heavy-weight division on November 1st of 2009. Jasmine lives with her dad, step-mom, brother, and sister in Lakeland. Her favorite class at school is cooking. She loves to bake and would like to work in a bakery after high school. Her favorite teacher at school is Coach Dave Seefeldt and her favorite person/Para is Miss Valerie Jordan. Jasmine enjoys reading books, listening to NLT, and would like to have a teacup pig for a pet! Her favorite football team is The Dallas Cowboys. When asked why she enjoys Special Olympics, she said, "Because I like lifting weights, and I like going to state competition!" Janmine is a true competitor in all sports and is a wonderful athlete. We wish her the best in Track & Field this season and another successful Power-lifting season in the Fall!
Be a fan...
Special Olympics' new, nationwide "Be a fan" public education campaign is designed to send a powerful message that resonates with the people of all walks of life by tapping into core values and attributes that everyone can appreciate, like unity, acceptance, empowerment, dignity, courage, strength, pride, confidence and fun. Click the play button below to watch the video.