Read on for exciting updates, event invites, and athlete stories!

Putting Your Support to Good Work:
March Athletic Events

2017 World Winter Games
We extend a big congratulations to our very own Chicago Park District athlete and speed skater, Tommy Shimoda, who proudly represented Special Olympics Chicago at this year's World Winter Games held in Austria. Tommy enjoyed a wonderful send-off at Mount Greenwood Park with an enthusiastic crowd cheering him on.

Competing against international athletes, Tommy took home a bronze medal in the 777 meter event and won the gold in the 500 meter!  Tommy's mom, aunt, brother and our Mount Greenwood Park coach, Lisa Mulcrone, joined him for this unforgettable trip. Way to go Tommy - we are so proud of you!


Aquatics
Thanks to enthusiastic and skilled volunteers, our athletes took to the water to learn new skills and make new friends at our Aquatics event. 

State Basketball
Talk about March Madness! 330 of our talented athletes hit the courts for three full days of State Basketball competitions. High fives to one and all!



MATP
Again this year, members of the De LaSalle Institute National Honors Society joined our athletes for a wonderfully heart-warming event: Motor Activity Training Program. MATP is designed to prepare athletes with profound or severe intellectual or significant physical disabilities for athletic activities appropriate for their ability levels. 
Thank you to the all-star athletes who participated and the dedicated students and staff who volunteered again this year! 

Volleyball Skills
Athletes participated in four unique volleyball events - Skills (North + South), CPS Competition, and Team Competition. As with all of our events, we love that this sport encourages athletes to work together and have fun, while developing skills and reaching new goals.

2017

Thank you for your continued and dedicated support, allowing us to offer quality, diverse, year-round programming for our 6,800+ Chicago athletes. #CanDoThanksToYou!
Thank You for Making our 
2017 #ChicagoPolarPlunge a Huge Success!

2017 polar plunge
Every year we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, enthusiasm, and the sheer number of spirited people who jump in the lake to support our athletes. 2017 was no exception with 5,300 people participating.
 
Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, we raised a record-breaking $1.6 million dollars. This critical funding fuels quality programming for local children and adults and provides them with skills training, unforgettable experiences, and a meaningful sense of community.
 
We appreciate each and every one of you who plunged, donated, cheered, and braved the temps for this year's event. Thank you to all of our event sponsors as well for their invaluable support!


Special thanks to the  ComEd Coolers whose 675 team members raised a record-breaking $275,000+! Thanks also to actor Dax Shepard for joining us as this year's Celebrity Plunger.  
 
Want to check out more of the fun from this year's Polar Plunge? 
Relive the Excitement -
Check out our Official 2017 #ChicagoPolarPlunge Video  

Save the Date - Join Us for These Rewarding Spring Activities

Chi-Town Half Marathon & 10K - April 8
Register and join Team SOC as we run the beautiful lakefront course and fundraise to support our athletes. The event begins and ends at Montrose Harbor. It's sure to be a great day!
 
Need a little extra incentive? All participants receive this fabulous fleece pullover and Chicago's largest Finisher Medal. 
(featured right)
 
2017 Spring Games Opening Ceremonies - Friday, April 28 
Help us #FillTheField for the 2017 Spring Games Opening Ceremonies at Soldier Field as we honor a 49-year legacy of acceptance and inclusion for all. Join athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and corporate partners to kick off this year's Games and celebrate the thousands of participating athletes. 

Interested in making this a team building event?   Email us at [email protected]  and we will design a custom flyer to help recruit employees.
 
Event starts at 10am.  Admission and parking are free and all are welcome to continue to cheer on athletes May 1-5 at the actual Spring Games Track & Field events at Eckersall Stadium. 
Lights! Camera! Action!

Another great taping of our monthly dedicated show on CAN-TV.  Fully produced by our talented athletes, you can tune in and catch our program on the first and third Saturdays of the month at  9:30am.  Thanks to our recent guests including Joe Svachula from ComEd and Alderman Patrick Thompson and Alderman Matt O'Shea.  Their support of our Chicago Polar Plunge is greatly valued and we thank them for sharing highlights from their own participation at this year's event! 


Make a lasting difference today 
with your tax deductible donation!  
SCC/Special Olympics Chicago | 312-527-3743| [email protected] | www. sochicago.org
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