December 2015 - Special Olympics South Dakota 2015 Inside This Issue Page 2 ... Maynard Konechne -...
Transcript of December 2015 - Special Olympics South Dakota 2015 Inside This Issue Page 2 ... Maynard Konechne -...
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA
December 2015
Inside This Issue
Page 2
Welcome & Farewell to
the Board
Pg 3-5
State Softball
State Traditional
Bowling
State Unified Bowling
Pg 6
Development & Other
Things
Pg 7 & 8
SOSD Award Winners
Pg 9-11
Polar Plunge
Pigskin Madness
Convoy
Tip-A-Cop
Strikes
Bash
Heroes
Pg 12
Healthy Athletes
Pg 13
Unify Center
Scarf Project
Coaches Education
Pg 14
Donors
Pg 15
Schedule of Events
STWTETW
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 2
See You Later, Dear Friend This past fall the following letter was sent to the
office:
Dear Darryl and Staff,
Enclosed please find my volunteer application for
the remainder of the year.
At the end of my board term in December, I will be
retiring from Special Olympics. I have cherished
every minute over the course of my 45 years I have
spent with the greatest sports program in the
world, but I have decided my time and efforts now
need to be directed to my grandchildren and their
endeavors.
Special Olympics and everyone in this program
have offered me a family away from home; and
these friendships will never be forgotten.
Being a person in this program from the beginning
offered me the opportunity to watch the progress
and advancement of a once a year event, to a year
round sports program. It took a lot of dedicated
people to do this and I am proud to have been a
part of these advancements.
Sincerely Yours,
Ronald E. Stewart
Board of Directors
Thank You For Your Service SOSD will be saying farewell to the following
Board Members:
L to R Thomas Brude (Sioux Falls), Myles Ken-
nedy (Spearfish), Ron Stewart (Rapid City) and
Abby O’Hara (Sioux Falls). Thank you for your
service and we greatly appreciate your contri-
butions to SOSD over the years.
Welcome to the Board! We are most grateful for the commitment
these outstanding individuals have made to
Special Olympics South Dakota!
Phillip Collins (Mitchell)
Rich Mulholland (Spearfish)
Contact Us 800 E. I-90 Lane
Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1.800.585.2114 or 1.605.331.4117
Fax: 1.605.331.4328 www.sosd.org
State Staff Darryl Nordquist President/CEO
Melanie Frosch Sports Director
Johna Thum Special Events Director
Todd Bradwisch Torch Run Liaison
Katie O’Brien Volunteer Coordinator
Twila Hansen Office Manager
John McHale Sports Assistant
Kelsey Messerschmidt Assistant Torch Run Liaison
Chad VanderPoel Assistant Sports Director
Board of Directors Myles Kennedy - Spearfish (Chair)
Dr. Mark Harlow - Rapid City (V Chair)
Abby O’Hara - Sioux Falls (Sec)
Bob Arnold - Sioux Falls (Treas)
Wendy Addington - Spearfish
Thomas Brude - Sioux Falls
Bill Clucas - Rapid City
Sam Engebretson - Sioux Falls
Bo Ivers - Brookings
Maynard Konechne - Kimball
Nick Kortan - Sioux Falls
Jack Lynass - Rapid City
Tim McCarthy - Coleman
Jeff Miller - Brookings
Duane Popham - Watertown
Carl Rapp - Sioux Falls
Dawn Ruhlman - Brookings
Steve Schacht - Rapid City
Ron Stewart - Rapid City
Julie Williams - Gettysburg
TORCH Editor Johna Thum - Special Events Director
Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Authorized and Accredited
by Special Olympics International for the Benefit of Citizens with
Intellectual Disabilities
Just In Time For Winter
SOSD was fortunate to receive 35 knit-
ted winter hats which were distributed
to athletes during our State Unified
Bowling Tournament.
Constructed by inmates, these items
were donated to approximately 15 non
-profits in the Sioux Falls area.
Thank you inmates and
staff for your generous gift!
Ron has been a part of SOSD from
almost day one. We would not be
where we are today without his hard
work and tutelage. We will miss see-
ing you at events, your smile and the
love you have so selflessly given all
of us. We will miss you. So let’s not
say goodbye right now. We aren’t
ready for that. Let’s leave it at, “See
you later, dear friend.”
Visit us www.sosd.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 3
2015 Results
1st
2nd 3rd 4th
Slow Pitch A Mitchell Watertown 01 Rapid City Storm Blizzard Sioux Falls Explosion
1st
2nd 3rd 4th
Slow Pitch B Spearfish Peaks A Sioux Falls Rockets Sioux Falls Poppers Brookings
1st
2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Slow Pitch C Sioux Falls Tanks Yankton Wild Things Sturgis Atlas Watertown 02 Spearfish Peaks B
1st
2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Tee Ball D Rapid City Lightning Mitchell Brookings All Star Yankton Smurfs Sioux Falls Sparklers
1st
2nd 3rd 4th
Unified E Sioux Falls Parachutes Brandon Sprinters Yankton Grinders Rapid City Thunder
1st
2nd 3rd 4th
Unified F Mitchell Sioux Falls Pyro Bombs Rapid City Flame Black Rapid City Flame Orange
Unified G1 Unified G2
1st 2nd
Rapid City Flame Jr. Sioux Falls Whistlers
1st Sturgis Twisters
Thank You Organizing Committee
Shiloh Day Brett Distel Travis Eastman
Cathy Grubb Myles Kennedy Kristy Lintz
Domico Rodriguez Charlie Unterbrunner
First Interstate Bank Black Hills Occupational
Medicine
Myles & Jeanette Kennedy
STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
...May someone be as kind to you as you have been to us.
O ur 33rd State Softball Tour-
nament was held in Rapid
City on September 19 and
20, 2015. Athletes competed in
slow pitch, T-ball , and Unified Soft-
ball.
On the Friday preceding the Soft-
ball Tournament, a number of ath-
letes and unified partners braved
wet and cold conditions to compete
in a Bocce Tournament. Thank you
to Brian Jacobsen for leading our
recent Bocce demonstrations.
Next year Bocce will be an official
state sport, and in conjunction with
softball this event will be known as
the Fall Classic.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 4
STATE TRADITIONAL BOWLING
The Koehler Organization
...May someone be as kind to you as you have been to us.
Tournament Hosts Village Bowl
Donna, Al & Staff
Organizing Committee
Kim Benning Amy Buechler Cate Diede
Tevan Fischbach
Peggy Heermann Missy Hill
Al Waltman Michele Zahn
Bowling Kim Benning - Announcer Amy Buechler - Medical
Facilities Wright & Sudlow - Barriers
Saturday Dance Aberdeen ABATE - Security
Celebration Entertainment (Kory Erickson) Academy Trophy - Spirit Award
Golden Eagles Parents
Volunteer Hospitality Subway - Kessler’s Inc. Avera St. Luke’s Hospital
Volunteer Groups Central High School - SDSBVI NSU - Simmons Middle School
NVC - Wells Fargo Auto Finance
Aberdeen Chrysler Center
Aman Foundation
Avis Rent-A-Car
Brick’s TV & Appliance Repair
CorTrust Bank
Daddy’s Bar & Grill
Erickson & Associates, LLC
Helms & Associates
House of Glass, Inc.
Hub Music & Vending
Insurance Plus
Lagers Inn
Meyers Auto Inc.
Northern Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Padgett Auto Sales
Qdoba
Ramkota
Rohly’s Bar
Swanson Electric
US Bank
T he Village Bowl in Aberdeen was
again the host site for our 28th
annual State Traditional Bowling
Tournament. This has always been one of
our largest events and this year was no
exception, as 561 athletes competed in at
least one event (singles, doubles and
team) on November 6 - 8, 2015.
Three weeks before the tournament our
special events venue closed. Unfortu-
nately we lost our Opening Ceremony,
but thanks to David Eckert and his staff at
the Aberdeen Civic Arena we were able to
find a new (and some would say im-
proved) home for our banquet, dance and
awards ceremony.
Another highlight of this event was the
awarding of the 12th Annual Gert Lutz
Memorial Spirit and Sportsmanship win-
ner. For many years, Gert Lutz was an
unheralded, behind the scenes supporter
of the State Special Olympics Bowling
Tournament. Gert spearheaded numer-
ous fundraising efforts and volunteered
countless hours supervising the lanes.
With Gert’s passing in the spring of 2004,
Special Olympics
South Dakota
lost a true friend.
Heads of Delega-
tions nominated
one athlete from
their team who
consistently
demonstrates
courtesy, sports-
manship and love
for the sport of
bowling.
Congratulations
to Madison Area
athlete Mack
Meier (right), our 2015 award winner!
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 5
STATE UNIFIED BOWLING
O ur 11th annual State
Unified Bowling Tourna-
ment was contested
last month at the Eastway Bowl
in Sioux Falls. Athletes and Uni-
fied Partners hit the lanes on
November 21st for doubles and
the 22nd for team competition.
The 336 participants this year
was an 11% increase over last
years attendance. This event
has grown steadily since it’s
inception.
A huge thank you to Abbie
Benz, Sadie Benz, Lisa Claus,
Missy Hill, Peggy Heerman and
the staff at Eastway Bowl for
being amazing volunteers and
host.
The Larry Ayres Family
Joe Sztapka REGION
Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Gregg & Jennifer Olson in honor of Noah Pierce
Dave Reznicek & Family
Jered & Callie Schock
...May someone be as kind to you as you have been to us.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 6
The Modern Woodmen of America, in
partnership with the Sioux Falls
Stampede, will be hosting their annu-
al Matching Funds Project this spring.
We are once again honored to be the
recipient of these proceeds.
Modern Woodmen Night
Please join us for an excit-ing night filled with great hockey, athlete participa-tion and amazing financial
support for SOSD!
Modern Woodmen Night
February 6, 2016
Sioux Falls athlete Micah Kallhoff Showing his appreciation for the Stampede and Modern Woodmen
Estate Planning
A re you aware of the many
ways you can give the joy
and pride of Special Olym-
pics even when you are gone? Leave
your legacy and consider Special
Olympics in your estate planning.
Contact Darryl Nordquist, President/CEO for more infor-
mation.
“I would love to help Special Olympics
athletes for many years to come.”
Going The Extra Mile
October 19th, 2015 was Special Olympics
South Dakota day at Granite City (Sioux
Falls). For the patrons who chose to par-
ticipate, 10% of their tab was gifted to
SOSD, with a total donation of $570.
Thank you, Granite City!
Lazerderm Fundraiser LazaDerm Skincare Centre
of Sioux Falls held a promo-
tion this past July to benefit
The Bash to the Colonies
Fundraiser for Special Olym-
pics. An impressive $4,303
was donated.
Thank you, Lazerderm!
DEVELOPMENT & OTHER THINGS
The World Winter
Games are Coming to
Austria!
March 14 - 25, 2017
Please join us for the festivities OR to
volunteer on our behalf!
It is not a typo! The 2016
State Basketball Tournament
will be held on a Saturday and
Sunday (March 12 & 13)
The Northeast Area Bowling Tourna-ment will become a stand alone event in 2016. Watertown will be our host city. The specific date will be announced at a later date.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 7
V olunteers do everything there is to do in Special Olympics and more. They
are fund-raisers, cheerleaders, administra-tors, food handlers, chauffeurs, chaperones, trainers, coaches, publicists, policy makers, trash collectors, friends, comrades and sup-porters of Special Olympics.
They serve without salary, without recogni-tion, without honors or awards. Special Olympics could not do without them - their devotion, their work and their love.
Each year it is the pleasure of Special Olympics South Dakota to recognize our Outstanding Award Winners. These individuals and groups
contribute their time, talents and resources in
support of SOSD. They are the driving force behind our success.
So “thank you” volunteer! You represent the highest values of the human spirit. You get your thanks, not in money or words or praise, but through what you do for Special Olympics.
Lillie has been in charge of the Rap-
id City Flame aquatics program for
many years. She has a clear under-
standing of stroke development,
training and the unique needs of
Special Olympics athletes.
It is very obvious her athlete’s
spend many hours in the pool train-
ing for their event. There is no con-
fusion or apprehension during com-
petition. This is certainly evidence
of proper training. Lillie challenges
her athletes to compete at the high-
est level possible. Many do more
difficult strokes and longer events.
Because of her positive attitude and
coaching competence she gets the
most out of everyone on her team.
Alden not only assists his mother
with coaching Flame athletes, but
he graciously volunteers to assist
other athletes during competitions
when in the pool. Alden and Lillie
are a great team and most deserv-
ing of this honor.
NOMINEES:
Leslie Antonsen, Sturgis
Michela Meredith, Sturgis
Ron Stewart Award Coach of the Year - Lillie & Alden Pendleton, Rapid City
Not only is Mallory an amazing
Special Olympics athlete, she is a
great person. She participates in
four sports: bowling, athletics,
race walking and basketball. Mal-
lory is always positive and has be-
come a team leader. She pushes
herself to do her best, and when
not competing she is cheering on
her teammates.
Mallory is also a tremendous role
model for other athletes. She
serves on the state wide Athlete
Input Council where she helps
guide SOSD from an athlete’s per-
spective. Special Olympics is a
priority for her and she prides her-
self in helping others. Mallory, we
are proud of you and everything
you stand for… hard work, deter-
mination and the ability to have
fun even when it’s raining.
Congratulations, Mallory.
NOMINEES:
Megan Mills, Rapid City Flame
Noah Pierce, Sioux Falls Fire-
works
Daniel Hedstrom, Spearfish
Peaks
Athlete of the Year - Mallory Bingham, Aberdeen
The following
was written by
Sasha Rosen-
lund.
Brian has been
my son’s Special
Olympics coach
for several years.
He has also been
a unified coach
for two of my
daughters. Hav-
ing a son who has Fragile X has had a huge
impact on our family. Having a coach who is
personable and willing to get the whole fami-
ly involved is incredible. He has had a huge
impact on all of our lives. When Dominick
started Special Olympics, he didn’t want us to
come and watch. He would throw his medals
and ribbons in the garbage before he came in
the house. Now he has self confidence and
wants his entire family involved in what he is
doing. My other kids in school have also seen
this incredible change. They come home with
reports about how Dominick and the other
Special Olympics athletes are popular in
school. How every student stops and says
“hi” to them. Dominick loves school and has
many friends from the regular classrooms. I
will be sad to see him graduate because of
the extraordinary experience that he has
been given.
We love to attend Special Olympics events
and cheer for all the athletes. I have wit-
nessed at these events athletes from other
teams searching out Brian to say “hi” because
he has coached them in the past and has posi-
tively affected their lives. Brian is a fantastic
coach, mentor, and example to all of us. He
has been a positive force in the community
and we are very thankful to have a man like
him in charge of not only our son’s Special
Olympics experience, but also our daughters
experience in unified sports. I truly feel Brian
deserves this honor.
NOMINEES:
Jody & Cathy Grubb, Belle Fourche
Mike Hilbrands, Sioux Falls
Judy Miller, Beresford
Bob Weisbeck, Brookings
Don Baker Award - Brian Jacobsen, Lake Norden
2015 AWARD WINNERS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 8
Misty has been involved with the Sioux Falls Fireworks for 19 years. In
the early years, she coached softball, volleyball, track and bowling.
She continues to assist with sport when needed. According to the
Fireworks sports director, “Misty is a volunteer that I can count on at a
moments notice.” More recently, Misty’s talents have been utilized in
the areas of bookkeeping, money management, fundraising and ath-
lete recruitment.
As stated in her nomination,
“Misty’s work has without
question made the Fireworks
a better delegation, thus making the
experience for our athletes the best it
can be. She is always giving of her time,
even when she really doesn’t have it to
give. Regardless of her role with the
Fireworks, her goals are always the
same… to serve our athletes.”
NOMINEES:
Michelle Carter, Sioux Falls
Gage McSpadden, Spearfish
Phyllis Pates, Volga
Lyle Farrand Award Volunteer of the Year - Misty Farabee, Sioux Falls
Please show your love for Special Olympics by nominating the de-
serving people in your life for a 2016 SOSD Outstanding Award!
Nomination forms are due in the SOSD office by May 23, 2016.
Look for a nomination form at your Area and State Games. Forms
can also be found on our homepage at www.sosd.org.
Categories include:
Athlete Of The Year Award
Don Baker Award (the highest honor presented by SOSD)
Family Of The Year
Outstanding Coach (Ron Stewart Award)
Volunteer Of The Year (Lyle Farrand Award)
Champion Award (DJ Mertens Award)
The Southeast Area has been blessed with the dedication of a family
that has been actively volunteer-
ing since 2007.
The Mork’s boast a volunteer
base of 36 strong and are com-
prised of 7 families plus momma
Bev: Sue and Dave Houska, Mary
& Kurt Lunstra, Gary & Melissa
Mork, Kenny & Dianne Mork, Tom
Mork, Michelle & Scott Solberg
and Barb Sandoval, Bo Albers &
children.
Many of these folks have taken on key leadership roles at SE Area
events, including aquatics, athletics,
softball and bowling events. Collec-
tively, they have volunteers 1,500
hours over the past 9 years.
Congratulations to the Family Mork!
NOMINEES:
Alickson Family, Belle Fourche
Antonsen Family, Sturgis
Mohamed Family, Brookings
Young Family, Belle Fourche
Family Of The Year - The Mork Family, Greater Sioux Falls Area
The Cobbler to Cobblers are the main volunteer
base in the Black Hills Area. Under the guidance of
Tim McGowan, we can count on 30-70 Cobblers to
assist with area bowling, basketball and spring
games. The dedication and reliability of these stu-
dents is second to none. This mentoring group pro-
vides enthusiasm, energy and an opportunity to
bridge the gap to create a more unified attitude
between our athletes and their peers. A number of
these students have attested to the profound im-
pact these volunteer experiences have had on their
own lives. These are our future parents, profession-
als and leaders… and we are in good hands.
NOMINEES:
Daktronics - Brookings
Edward Jones Financial - Rapid City
Valero Renewables - Aurora
D. J. Mertens Award “Champion” of the Year - Rapid City Central Cobbler 2 Cobbler
This past summer we lost Gage McSpadden in a tragic accident. Thank
you Gage for your selfless service to us. You will be missed.
MORE 2015 AWARD WINNERS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 9
The Madness is back and better
than ever! In 2015, 2,335 tick-
ets were sold and over $46,700
was raised for Special Olympics
South Dakota!
While the 2015 professional
football season is winding
down, we are excited to an-
nounce that we will again be
selling Pigskin Madness tickets
again in 2016.
Your Pigskin Madness raffle
tickets can be purchased begin-
ning in April and will be sold
through the end of August.
Tickets can be purchased for
$20.
Each ticket is randomly as-
signed four teams for each
week of the regular profession-
al football season. The final
score for each week is deter-
mined by adding the point to-
tals of the assigned four teams
from that week.
The six highest point totals and
the lowest point total are
awarded prizes every week of
the NFL season.
Prizes for 2015 included:
Highest Team Total - $200
2nd Highest - $100
3rd Highest - $80
4th Highest - $60
5th Highest - $40
6th Highest - $20
Lowest - $20
Any rules changes going for-
ward will be announced at time
of purchase.
Don’t lament the end of the holiday season, you have Po-
lar Plunges to look forward to! 2016 will be another busy
year, with 13 Plunges being hosted across the state by the
Law Enforcement Torch Run!
In 2015, Polar Plunges raised over $330,000 for Special
Olympics South Dakota with over 1,100 participants brav-
ing the icy waters. We want 2016 to be our biggest and
best year ever – and we need your help to do just that!
For information on all of 2016’s Polar Plunges across the
state, please visit our website at www.plungesd.org. This
website has the information, materials and resources you
will need in order to start you on your fundraising journey.
This site also links you to the registration and fundraising
pages and gives tips and tricks to help you have a great
time “Freezin’ for a Reason!”
Contact Todd or Kelsey at 605-331-4117 for questions or information.
I n October, two law en-
forcement officers and
two SOSD staff traveled
to the Bahamas to attend
the International Law En-
forcement Torch Run Con-
ference.
The South Dakota Law En-
forcement Torch Run pro-
gram raised $653,578 in
2014 and was awarded the
Emerald Level of Excellence,
as well as the Third Highest
Per Capita Fundraising Pro-
gram throughout the world
for 2014!
We want to give a huge
THANK YOU to all the law
enforcement personnel who
have helped the South Da-
kota LETR program continu-
ally increase awareness and
funds for Special Olympics
South Dakota from year to
year!
The success and achieve-
ments of the program are
all in thanks to you!
PLUNGE SCHEDULE 2016
Jan 23 - Brandon
Feb 06
13 27
28 28
- Chamberlain
- Watertown - Vermillion
- Spearfish - Mitchell
Mar 05
11
- Rapid City
- Pierre
Apr 01
09 09
10
- Brookings
- Parkston - Aberdeen
- Yankton
- Sioux Falls TBD
LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 10
LETR Social Media Like us on Facebook and Twitter to stay
up to date with all the latest information
and happenings with the South Dakota
Law Enforcement Torch Run!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/
pages/South-Dakota-Law-Enforcement-
Torch-Run/180542815479
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SDLETR
Tip a Cop fundraisers were
back this year and proved to
be huge successes. Tip a Cop
allows law enforcement offic-
ers to put down their hand-
cuffs for the night and volun-
teer as special “servers” at
local participating restaurants.
These officers, along with help
from local athletes, serve
drinks and clear tables while
working for “tips” for Special
Olympics South Dakota.
Applebee’s in Spearfish held
an event October 28th and
raised over $2,326.
On November 4-5, Texas
Roadhouse in Sioux Falls also
hosted an event. Over these
two nights $3,150 was raised.
The goal for 2016 is to host
several Tip a Cop fundraisers
at various restaurants across
the state. These events are
held throughout the year and
are a great way to support
Special Olympics South Dako-
ta while enjoying a delicious
meal!
If you have interested in host-
ing an event in your area,
please let us know.
2015 Torch Run T-shirts
The 2016 Torch Run T-shirts will
be ready for sale in January 2015.
The shirts are cotton, short-
sleeved and will be $15 a shirt.
Please contact Kelsey or Todd at
the State Office at 605-331-4117
to order your shirt today!
Two “World’s Largest Truck Convoys” were
again held this past fall. Rapid City hosted
an event on September 18-19 and Sioux
Falls was the host city for an event on Sep-
tember 25-26.
These annual events unite Law Enforce-
ment personnel and truck drivers in an
effort to raise funds and awareness for
Special Olympics athletes.
Sioux Falls had another record year with
the event being held at the W.H. Lyon Fair-
grounds. Along with the actual convoy,
multiple activities were held during this
two day celebration, including a Texas
Hold’em tournament, lead truck bidding,
truck show, live auction, raffles and award
presentations.
There was a record 166 registered truckers
paying a minimum of $100 to participate in
the 15 mile trek through the heart of Sioux
Falls, helping raise over $63,000 for Special
Olympics South Dakota. This was our larg-
est convoy to date in South Dakota.
The 2nd Annual Rapid City Convoy was
held at the Central States Fairgrounds and
was a huge success! 30 registered drivers
helped raise over $11,000 for Special
Olympics South Dakota. The route for the
Rapid City Convoy drove right past the
State Softball tournament, so the drivers
made sure they made plenty of noise for
all the athletes! We know everyone had a
great time and can’t wait to make next
year’s event even bigger, better and loud-
er!
Thank you to all of the participants and
their families, sponsors, Law Enforcement
Torch Run officers, athletes and their fami-
lies, and wonderful volunteers who helped
make the 2015 World’s Largest Truck Con-
voys a huge success.
For those interested in purchasing a
World’s Largest Truck Convoy calendar or
t-shirt, please contact the State Office at
800-585-2114. The calendars are in and
can be purchased for $15 each. Get them
while they last!
JOIN US IN 2016!
September 16 & 17, Rapid City September 23 & 24, Sioux Falls
MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN
World’s Largest Truck Convoy
Tip-A-Cop Fundraisers
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 11
Village Bowl in Mitchell and Prairie Lanes in
Brookings hosted Strikes for Special Olympics
events this past November. Participants were
asked to pay or raise a minimum of $35 per
person and in return received food and drink,
a t-shirt, three games of bowling and shoe
rental. The event also included door prizes,
music, fun and prizes to the top scoring bow-
lers!
We are looking forward to bringing even more
Strikes for Special Olympics events to various
bowling alleys across the state of South Dako-
ta in 2016. Here are a few upcoming Strikes
events already scheduled on 2016.
April 2 – Madison Strikes event
April 3 – Huron Strikes event
Hope that everyone can join us for a bowlin’
good time! For more information on these
events, check out our website at
www.firstgiving.com/sosd .
T his 20th Annual event is a friend-
ly holiday blood drive pitting the
Sioux Falls Police Department
against the Sioux Falls Fire Department
to see who can recruit the most blood
donors.
The contest kicks off December 28,
2015 and runs through January 8,
2016. The public is encouraged to
visit either Sanford Medical Center
(333-6444) or Avera McKennan Hospi-
tal (322-7111) donor rooms and des-
ignate their blood donation to the
department of their choice.
Donors will receive a specially designed
“Police” or “Fire” t-shirt (while supplies
last) and a $5 certificate compliments
of Texas Roadhouse.
As the charity of choice for the Sioux
Falls Police Department, Special Olym-
pics South Dakota will receive a dona-
tion of $350.00 if they should win.
Last year it was the Sioux Falls Fire De-
partment coming away with another
close victory over the Police Depart-
ment.
Donors must be at least 17 years old
(16 years with a signed parent consent
form), weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in
good general health. It is recommend-
ed that a person eat and drink plenty
of fluids prior to donating blood.
Please bring an ID with you at the time
of donation. For more information call
605-331-3222 or visit
www.cbblifeblood.org.
PLEASE DONATE…. YOU
JUST MIGHT SAVE A LIFE!
T his year’s event in Yankton was held on
August 28-29. Since its inception in
2007, “The Bash” has raised over
$165,800 for Special Olympics South Dakota.
I don’t know about you, but during these cold
winter day, when I look outside the window, all
I can think about is sailing and sun…how about
you?
Location: Lewis & Clark Lake – Yankton, SD
Dates: August 26-27, 2016
Description: Sailboat race the length of Lewis
& Clark Lake in Yankton. This is an all day
event for all types of sailboats. Over 50 boats
are expected again. Prepare for great food,
fun and games.
Admission: Free- everyone is welcome!
For more information: 605-665-2680 www.bashtothecolonies.com
All proceeds to benefit SOSD
2016 Torch Run Contacts
Dave Stratton (Retired Rapid City Police De-
parted) will continue serving in his role as the
Director of the South Dakota LETR program
through 2016.
Please feel free to contact any of the individu-
als below for anything LETR related.
Director Dave Stratton
Rapid City Police Department (Retired)
Assistant Director Jon Cole
Vermillion Police Department
Assistant Director James Smit
Belle Fourche (Retired)
Torch Run Liaison Todd Bradwisch
Asst Torch Run Liaison Kelsey Messerschmidt
MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 12
T he Special Olympics Healthy Ath-
letes® program is designed to help
Special Olympics athletes improve
their health and fitness, leading to en-
hanced sports experience and improved
well-being.
New research published by SOI, Inc. rein-
forces the importance of the work we are
doing through our athlete screenings.
Of athletes examined in North America since
2007:
24.6% had untreated tooth decay
73.4% were obese/overweight (adults)
4.9% have never had an eye exam
35.7% experience ongoing exposure to
second hand smoke
On the flipside, 84% of health care provid-
ers feel better prepared to treat people
with ID as a result of volunteering for
Healthy Athletes. Great news!
Today, SOSD offers screenings in the fol-
lowing disciplines: Fit Feet (podiatry) FUN-
fitness (physical therapy), Special Smiles
(dentistry) and Healthy Hearing
(audiology).
We are actively seeking qualified clini-
cians for the following disciplines.
Please contact us if interested in becom-
ing a part of this life changing program.
Health Promotion: Health Promotion
venues empower and motivate athletes to
make healthy lifestyle choices that will
improve their long-term health by using
interactive educational games and litera-
ture. Athletes are offered guides for
healthy eating, sun safety, smoking cessa-
tion, lifestyle choices and fun ways to in-
crease physical fitness.
Clinician Requirements: Dietician, Physi-
cian, Nurse, PT, Health Educator
MedFest: Standard sports physical ex-
amination for current and prospective Spe-
cial Olympics athletes are completed
Clinician Requirements: Medical Doctor,
Physician
Opening Eyes: Under this program, ex-
tensive vision screenings are conducted.
Athletes are then provided with free pre-
scription eye glasses, sport wear glasses
and sunglasses as warranted.
Clinician Requirements: Vision Care Pro-
fessional, Licensed Optometrist or Oph-
thalmologist.
For More Information Regarding Clinician Training:
Johna Thum, Special Events Director
Local: 605.331.4117 Toll Free: 800.585.2114
Fax: 605.331.4328
More Research Results
Dr. Aaron Studer (Rapid City) com-pletes a dental exam
An audiology student from USD (under the direction of Dr. Paul Brueggeman and Dr. Marni Johnson Martin) conducts a hearing exam
Josh Nebelsick (Sioux Falls) along with Dr. Patti Berg (Sioux Falls) leads a FUNfitness assessment
Dr. Lorri Riley (Spearfish) performs a Fit Feet evaluation
HEALTHY ATHLETES
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 13
O ur dream of building the Unify Center is well on its way to becoming a
reality. If the weather continues to cooperate, our goal of a June 1,
2016 completion date is in reach.
The Unify Center will undoubtedly facilitate statewide growth in all aspects of
SOSD’s programming. Areas such as Project UNIFY, Healthy Athletes, Young
Athletes, Unified Sports and all 26 competitions throughout the year will all
be positively impacted by this new facility.
A big THANK YOU to all who have supported the Unify Center!!
If you have not had the opportunity to support this exciting project you can
still help us reach our final goal.
Please contact Darryl Nordquist, President/CEO
cell 605-376-8613 email: [email protected]
Above SOSD hosted a ground breaking ceremony on October 14, 2015.
Far Right Mid December progress on the Unity Center.
Right Tom Walsh Sr. & Tom Walsh Jr. make a donation of $100,000 to SOSD.
Scarf Project 2016 Folks from all around the country have been hard at work crochet-
ing and knitting scarves for SOSD athletes, coaches, and supporters.
We have a long way to go to meet our goal.
Colors: Buff/tan and light blue. We are
not overly concerned with “exact” col-
ors. Anything close to these are perfectly
fine.
Deadline to Receive Scarves: February 26,
2016
Shipping Address: SOSD * 800 E. I-90 Lane
* Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Scarf Distribution Information: SOSD
State Basketball Tournament to be held in
Pierre on March 12 & 13, 2016
Scarf Goal: 800
For much more information either visit our website at
www.sosd.org or follow the project on facebook at
“knit and crochet for a cause”
KEEP ‘EM COMING!
BITS & PIECES
Our friends at @ToysRUs have a new Toy Guide for
Differently-Abled Kids.
To view the guide visit:
www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled
#ToysForAll
Coaches Education Update
Coaches education helps to ensure that each coach and athlete
have the best sport experience possible. Our athletes deserve
highly trained coaches so they are empowered to reach their
goals and maximum potential.
To date, approximately 330 Coaches in South Dakota have com-
pleted this required course work. An estimated 80-90% of
those expected to complete this training have done so.
Thank you Coaches for your commitment and dedication to
SOSD. YOU ARE APPRECIATED!
REMINDER: After January 1, 2016, you must complete Level 1
training in order to coach a Special Olympics sport. If you desire
HOD or Head Coach status you must also complete Level 2
training. You can find more information regarding certification
by clicking on the “Competition Guide and Forms” button on our
website homepage, or contact Chad VanderPoel.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 14
Your generosity is humbling, appreciated, and we thank you!
Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau Angela Anderson Kaufhold Architecture Incorporated Bennett, LLC Black Hills Works, Inc BNSF Foundation Bourne, Todd & Tisha Canfields Business Interiors, LLC Concrete Materials Coyle Construction Cummins Central Power Dakota Beverage Co., Inc Elgethun Capital Management, Inc Feiock, Jeff & Anne First PREMIER Bank
Grand Falls Casino Resort Granite City Food & Brewery LTD Hill's Interiors, Inc. Interstate Companies, Inc J1 Industries, LLC John Austin Insurance Agency, Inc Jon C. Baumann DDS PC Kingery, Paula J. Landmark Aviation Leber AG Service, LLC Lewis & Clark Resort Lil'D Trucking Lintz Bros Pizza, LLC Mahlander's Appliance & Lighting Marco
Mark Albenesius, Inc Masonry Components, Inc Meat Lodge Mid States Transport, Inc Modern Woodmen of America-Joesph Sztapka
Muilenburg, Kirby & Nicole Muth Electric, Inc Northeast Educational Services Coop Otis, Lynn F & Lee B Paypal Giving Fund Porter Apple Company "B", Inc Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau Redlinger Bros. Plumbling & Heating Co. Rehorst, Steve & Stefanie Sayre Associates, Inc Schultz, Lori L
Schwan Financial Group, LLC Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau Sioux Falls Morning Optimists Site Work Specialists, Inc Smith Trucking, Inc South Dakota Truck Driving Champions State of South Dakota Stone Wealth Management, LLC Sun Enterprises, Inc The Diamond Room The Koehler Organization Tony's Diesel Service, Inc Turnwall Trucking W. D. Larson Companies LTD Inc Wiekeraad, Matthew L.
Silver $500 - $999 June 15 - December 15, 2015
Dedications June 15 - December 15, 2015 In Honor of Kip & JoAnne’s Wedding
Anderson, Charles & Sonja Daly, Trent & Tina Engelsman, Dawn
Finch, Terry & Grace Verbrugge, Percy & Sharon
In Honor of Leah Olson
Alternative Strategies Group
In Honor of Kinlee Hohm Keupp, Roxanne M.
In Memory of Richard Warwick
Krell, Greg & Lynn
In Memory of Chris Fletcher LETR Chris Fletcher Memorial
In Memory of Bill Brooks Bierschbach Equipment & Supply
Buss, Cynthia & James Deraad, Linda
Jackson, Jeff & Shawn Jans Corporation
Meidinger, James E & Lorrie M Mooney, William J Platt, Ann & Don
In Honor of John McHale Lillevold, John C & Beth A Mikkelsen
Purtell, Vincent A & Teresa M
Advanced Asset Alliance Alternative Strategies Group Arndt, Tracy L. Asheim, Dan & Carol Aspire Recreation Avera Health Foundation Boadwine, Jim & Michelle Boyce Law Firm, LLP Broin, Miriam & Robert Brothers Pharmacy Burger King Cody Transportation, LTD Components Manufacturing Company CorTrust Bank Crown Gaming Inc Dacotah Bank Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
Earthbend First Dakota Title Fischer Rounds Furniture Mart USA, Inc Grand Prairie Foods, Inc Grubb, Jody & Cathy Home Federal Bank Hy-vee, Inc Interstate Office Products J & W Diesel & Truck Service, Inc JDS Industries, Inc Johnson, Gary K & J Trucking, Inc Kennedy, Myles & Jeanette LazaDerm Skincare Centre, PC Leland & Dorothy Olson Foundation MetaBank
Midland National Life Morgen, LLC Oahe, Inc Olander Trucking, Inc Olympic Companies Plains Commerce Bank Premium Best Transport, Inc Randy Kouri Memorial Rapid City Regional Hospital Rapp, Carl or Jackie Risk Administration Services Rolo Express, Inc Score, Shawn J Scull Construction Service, Inc SDN Communications Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital, LLP
Sioux Valley Energy Smit, James & Joanne South Dakota Community Foundation South Dakota State University Special Olympics The Erickson Group, LLC The Fruit Club TNT Entertainment, LLC TSP, Inc Unzelman, Myrl & Lois US Bank Vande Brake, Steven or Mary Walmart Foundation Williams Insurance Agency, Inc Woods, Fuller, Schultz and Smith, PC
Gold $1,000 and above June 15 - December 15, 2015
Althoff, Aaron & Christina Arndt, Ronald C. Art's Garbage Service Bare Bones Trucking, LLC Beds BY Design Best Sioux Falls Storage Black Hills Barbeque Bob Willey Trucking Bommersbach, Paul & Melinda Boyd, Michelle & Blaine Brick, Wesley Bruflat, Paul & Julie Cody, John G. D and H Delivery, Inc Dakota Chapters-Studebaker Drivers Club Donkersloot Enterprises, LLC Eddies Truck Center Eschen Trucking Eschen, Jeffrey & Tricia
FedEx First National Bank - Pierre Fischbach, Tevan Forthman Enterprises, Inc Friessen Construction Co, Inc Goethals Trucking Great Western Bank Gustafson, Robert & Mary Habeck Trucking, Inc Hagen Glass, Windows & Siding, Inc Hannahs, Jeff Heartland Consumers Power District Helms & Associates Hilmer, B.L. & R.R Hornby, Doris & James Horner, Derek & Dawn House of Glass HR Green ICHIBAN Sushi Bar
Johnson, Carl A & Kathy Kingsley, Alan Kjergaard, Laurie A Klapperich, David & Jannel Kloster, Audrey L & Sterling R Knology Kounkel Trucking, LLC Kuhn, Jeffery & Linda Levesque, William Lind, Cody & Janet Mitchell, Allen & Tessa Prorate 48 Reiners, Tom & Mary L Reznicek, David G Roth Trucking, Inc Rozenboom, Dave & Tammy Schenk Trucking Scott Peterson Motors, Inc Scott, Janet
SESDAC, Inc SF Downtown Lions Club Sioux Falls Express Sioux Valley Optimist Club Spearfish Regional Hospital Stan's, Inc TBI, Inc Temari Designs, LLC Travis Trucking, Inc Trimac Transport Central, Inc Trinity Lutheran Church Underground Solutions, Inc United Tent & Convention, Inc VanWyat, Jeremy Watertown School District 14-4 Welch, Brian & Janel Wellmark Foundation Zell Enterprises, Inc
Bronze $250 - $499 June 15 - December 15, 2015
In Memoriam Raya O’Neil - Vermillion (Athlete)
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 15
Schedule of Events 2016
January 23 Polar Plunge Brandon
February 2 & 3 State Winter Games Lead
February 06 Polar Plunge Chamberlain
February 12 NE Area Basketball Redfield
February 13 Polar Plunge Watertown
February 13 SE Area Basketball Yankton
February 19 BH Area Basketball Rapid City
February 26 Scarf Project Due Date
February 27 Polar Plunge Vermillion
February 28 Polar Plunge Spearfish
February 28 Polar Plunge Mitchell
March 05 Polar Plunge Rapid City
March 11 Polar Plunge Pierre
March 12 & 13 State Basketball Pierre
April 1 Polar Plunge Brookings
April 09 Polar Plunge Parkston
April 09 Polar Plunge Aberdeen
April 10 Polar Plunge Yankton
TBD Polar Plunge Sioux Falls
April 20 Mission Games Mission
April 22 NE Area Aquatics Aberdeen
April 22 BH Area Spring Games Rapid City
April 23 BH Area Aquatics Spearfish
April 29 tent. SE Area Aquatics Sioux Falls
April 29 NE Area Spring Games Watertown
April 30 SE Area Spring Games Brandon
May 19-21 State Summer Games Spearfish
July 11 & 12 Equestrian Huron
TBD NE Area Softball Watertown
August 20 SE Area Softball Sioux Falls
August 20 BH Area Softball Rapid City
September 16-18 Fall Classic Rapid City
On February 2 and 3, 2016, Terry Peak Ski Area
will again host this event. Approximately 50
athletes are expected to compete in Glide, Super
Glide, Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G events.
For more information
contact the state office.
The word retarded hurts millions of
people with intellectual disabilities,
their families and friends.
SOSD is strongly committed to educat-
ing our youth in an attempt to eradi-
cate the R-word from our vernacular.
Participating in Spread The Word To
End The Word (STWTETW) activities is
easy, will not cost you a dime, and is
important!
Nationally, STWTETW Day is March 2,
2016. You are free to hold events at
your convenience, but we encourage
you to hold them during the month of
March.
If interested in participating, please
contact Johna at the state office by
5:00 pm on January 11, 2016. All pro-
motional items will be supplied to
you free of charge!
Thank You To These Official Partners
Special Thanks To These Major Sponsors