As we wrap up 2019 and prepare for 2020, I reflect on our accomplishments as athletes, individuals and most importantly, as the Sarasota County family. It's magical to see what we have done together. This year we added a new sport (pickleball), opened our unified wellness center, ran a successful Torch Campaign and Shark's Tooth Festival as our biggest and most visible fundraisers, increased our numbers of athletes, coaches, volunteers and unified partners, and watched our athletes train and compete with courage, perseverance, and compassion for each other and for their fellow athletes from other counties. We are so proud of them all.
At Special Olympics it definitely takes a village. Our volunteers are the fuel and machinery that run the engine and give us the ability to take on new challenges and opportunities. This month I want to celebrate two volunteers who consistently offer their time, talents and treasure, without hesitation. Wayne and Gena Luoma, and their daughter athlete Mia, became part of our Sarasota County family in 2017 after serving Special Olympics Maryland - Howard County for 25 years, beginning when Mia was 8 years old. They are key members of our Shark's Tooth Festival committee and an indispensable part of our team. I had a chance to talk with Wayne and Gena to learn more about their backgrounds and involvement with Special Olympics. Please read the article below, and join me in thanking the Luomas for their dedication and service.
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Sports Calendars and Links
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Dec 6 & 7 – State Bowling
Jan 1-12 – Publix Torch Campaign
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO VISIT STORES BY DEC 31
Jan 9-12
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SE Powerlifting Competition
Jan 13 – County Equestrian
Jan 13 – Tennis starts in Venice (Plantation Golf & Country Club)
Jan 14 – Tennis starts in Sarasota (Arlington Park)
Jan 14 – Bocce starts in Sarasota (The Haven)
Jan 15 – Soccer starts in Venice (Gene Whipp Sports Center)* new location
Jan 18 – Track & Field and Cycling start in Venice (Gene Whipp Sports Center)
Jan 18 – Bocce starts in Venice (Venice Isles)
Feb 1 – Area Equestrian – InStride
Feb 7-8 – State Basketball
Feb 22 – County Summer Games - Pineview
Mar 14 – Area Summer Games, Collier County
Mar 20-21 – State Equestrian
Mar. 21 – Area Bocce, Lee County
Apr 3-5, 2020 – Shark's Tooth Festival, Venice Airport Festival Grounds, Venice, FL
April 11 – Pasco County Soccer Tournament
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Volunteers Needed for Basketball Tournament January 11
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Volunteers are needed for the 2020 Area 9 Basketball Tournament on January 11. Can you help? Please click the link below to see open timeslots. Thank you!
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State Fall Classic Held November 15-17
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The annual State Fall Classic was held November 15 and 16 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. Our athletes train and compete all season to participate in this event, culminating our seasons for powerlifting, softball, flag football and track/field and concluding with the celebratory Victory Dance held in the Arena. This year pickleball was spotlighted as an exhibition sport, and next year it will be formally included in the competitions. Sarasota County added pickleball as a sport in 2019, led by talented and beloved Coach Lieve.
Thank you to our athletes, coaches, families, chaperones and everyone who helped make this year's Fall Classic a success trip.
Softball team – Gold
Flag Football – 4th
Powerlifting:
Dorata P – Gold
Louis A – Silver
Kevin V – Silver
MaryAnn - Silver
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Congratulations to our 2019 Inspirational Leaders
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Join us in congratulating these Sarasota County inspirational leaders, who were recognized at the recent Fall Classic. We are very proud of you and thankful for your commitment to our programs.
2019 Inspirational Coach – Joe Kelly
2019 Inspirational Unified Athlete – Amanda Hawk
2019 Inspirational Athlete
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Evan Justice
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Celebrating 25 Years of Service - Wayne and Gena Luoma
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"Athletes are why we do it, volunteers are how we do it." Absolutely true! Wayne and Gena Luoma, and their daughter athlete Mia, became part of our Sarasota County family in 2017 after having served Special Olympics Maryland - Howard County for 25 years. We had a chance to talk with them about their dedication to volunteering.
How did they start volunteering for Special Olympics?
The Luoma's first volunteer job was selling wreaths with athletes at the local grocery stores during the holidays 25 years ago. Soon after, they both became bowling coaches, and Gena was co-coordinator for 6 years. They loved the Special Olympics mission and wanted to continue doing more.
Leadership, Participation and Fundraising
Gena led the implementation of the Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) for Howard County Public Schools (Maryland) and coordinated Challenge Day for 14 years, a huge annual event attended by the County Executive, council members, the police chief and officers, Special Olympics Maryland and Special Olympics International officials. Gena also served as one of the volunteer orientation trainers, giving monthly volunteer orientations for new volunteers and families, and organized a
Unified Relay Across America
event for the 2015 Special Olympics Los Angeles World Games at her school.
Wayne was a member of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Maryland from 2011 to 2016, serving three years as Treasurer and one as Secretary, as well as serving on the search committee for a new CEO. He also served on the Howard County management committee as finance coordinator for over a decade.
Together they participated as members of the Howard County Maryland Inspiration Walk Committee -- an annual fundraiser which raises over $100,000 a year
What did they do as careers?
Gena was an art teacher for the Howard County Public School System and spent the last 20 years working at a special education school for students whose needs could not be met in a comprehensive school. Working with individuals who were most challenged opened up her creative mind and allowed her to explore and expand on the abilities in everyone.
Wayne spent his career in finance and accounting in the energy industry. In the last 10 years of his career he worked at Constellation Energy as a division CFO focused on energy efficiency, renewable and distributed energy projects. In fact, Wayne served as Constellation Energy’s Polar Bear Plunge Team captain for 10 years, leading employees into the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay at the end of January. The Special Olympics Maryland plunge is the largest plunge event in the United States annually raising $2 million.
Wayne didn't just captain the Polar Bear Plunge -- he was also FREEZIN' FOR A REASON as a member of the Super Plunge Team, committing to raise over $10,000 for the pleasure of running into the Chesapeake hourly for 24 hours. Brrrrr. (See picture below.)
Family involvement
Gena and Wayne, along with their daughter Mia, had the pleasure of volunteering at the Best Buddies Fundraiser held at the Shriver home in Potomac, Maryland for many years. The Shrivers, who founded Special Olympics, have a beautiful home filled with history, and the Luoma's were honored to be invitees, gazing over the backyard where Special Olympics started in the 1960s as Camp Shriver. As Wayne said, "our biggest brush with fame was having the opportunity to meet Mrs. Eunice Shriver. (See picture below.)
What does volunteering for Special Olympics Florida mean to you?
"Being part of Special Olympics has been transformative in our lives. Mia has made lifelong friends and a sense of community. She recognizes the logo and views it as her 'team.' We have met such incredible people who we may have never met if not for Mia."
"We enjoy volunteering for Sarasota County because since we are retired, we have more time to work directly with athletes. With Florida being home to many people from other areas, we need to take advantage of past knowledge to push Special Olympics into the future."
What advice would you give to potential volunteers?
Just do it! You’ll be hooked!
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi
Said Randy Klinger, "On behalf of our entire organization, we extend a heartfelt 'thank you' to the Luoma's for helping us create a genuine and unique family in Sarasota County. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by all."
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Wayne "freezin' for a reason' at the Polar Bear Plunge, Maryland
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Gena and Wayne with Eunice Shriver, founder of Special Olympics
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Participating in the Howard County Maryland Inspiration Walk
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Venice Holiday Parade Kicks Off the Holiday Season!
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Each year the City of Venice Holiday Parade is the perfect “kick off” to the holiday season. Over 3 thousand enthusiastic and creative participants representing approximately 120 local companies, schools, churches, social organizations and music groups join together to make this community family event fun for all ages. Thousands of spectators line the parade route. It's a great event!
The Venice Moose Lodge 1308 sponsors and supports Special Olympics Florida - Sarasota County in many ways, including celebrating our athletes on their float in the Holiday Parade. And this year, the parade, held on Saturday November 30
th
, was a lot of fun with athletes on the float and carrying banners or walking beside the float,
Thank you Venice Moose Lodge 1308, and thank you athletes and volunteers for participating in this year's parade!
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Sponsor an Athlete in 2020
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Would you like to sponsor an athlete in 2020? Your donation of $xx provides for the athlete's uniforms, registration fees and other expenses throughout the year. Please contact Randy at (941) 412-0402 or randyklinger@sofl.org to become a valued sponsor. Thank you!
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Publix Torch Campaign Jan 1-12
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Please Volunteer to Help Activate Publix Stores
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The 2019 Publix Torch Campaign starts January 1
st
to January 12
th
and is a fantastic fundraiser for Special Olympics-Sarasota County. Each year the funds raised go a long way to support our athletes, training sites, equipment and uniforms.
But,
we need your help to visit and activate Publix stores by December 31
.
We have a list of the Publix stores that need to be activated-- please call 941-412-0402 or talk to Randy or Nancy. to volunteer.
The purpose of this brief visit is to meet and greet the store managers, thank them personally, and make sure they are aware of the campaign dates. All visits must be submitted online by Tuesday, December 31 at the following link
www.specialolympicsflorida.org/publix
verifying each visit.
How to activate a Publix store by December 31, 2019:
- Let Nancy or Randy know which store(s) you can visit (we have a list).
- Stop at each store, go to the office, and introduce yourself as a representative of Special Olympics who is stopping by to meet the store manager and briefly discuss the upcoming Torch Campaign.
- When you talk to the manager, thank them for supporting the Torch Campaign, remind them that it runs Jan 1-12, and ask if there is anything we can do to help make this a successful campaign.
- Make sure you get the manager's name (or whoever spoke with you).
- Use this link to verify that you have activated the store: www.specialolympicsflorida.org/publix. Use 941-412-0402 as your phone number.
Thank you!
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Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash Supports Local NonProfits
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Did you know when you come out to the
Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash
you are supporting the Suncoast Foundation? All proceeds from the Bash go to support local nonprofits that provide services for people with disabilities. The Bash will be held March 27 and 28, 2020 -- one week before the annual Shark's Tooth Festival!
The Suncoast Foundation has constructed more than 75,000 sqft of facilities in the #Sarasota, #Venice, and #NorthPort area. These buildings are occupied by six local non-profit agencies.
Nonprofit agencies that occupy these buildings include The Haven, Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Loveland Center, Inc., Children First, Inc., Venice Challenger Baseball and Special Olympics Florida-Sarasota County. They experience a significant saving with an annual lease payment of only $1 which allows service and program monies to remain untouched and directed to clients who need it the most. Program and services provided by these nonprofit agencies annually impact approximately 8,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families.
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2022 USA Games Presentations
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Athlete Jimmy N. and County Director Randy were asked to assist in two presentations in St. Pete and Sarasota in preparation for the
2020 USA Games
. Jimmy did a fantastic job representing Special Olympics Florida - Sarasota County. Well done!
Special Olympics Florida will host the
USA Summer Games
June 5-11, 2020 in the Orlando area, a coveted sporting event that promises to have a $61 million impact on Central Florida’s economy. “Our athletes are over the moon excited the USA games will be here,” said Sherry Wheelock, president/CEO of Special Olympics Florida.
Shown below: President/CEO of the 2022 USA SO Games Joe Dzaluk, Senior Vice President of Special Olympics Florida Erin Kozlowski, Sarasota County Athlete and Presenter Jimmy N, Chief Development Officer Amy Wise, and Sarasota County Director Randy Klinger,.
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Happy Birthday to our Athletes with December Birthdays!
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Click to download a
Happy Birthday card
for our athletes with December birthdays from your friends at Special Olympics Florida - Sarasota County!
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Follow Us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
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Please share your photos and updates on social media with us, and keep the conversation going!
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Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?
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Please send us your ideas, comments and suggestions for improving our communication with you. What information do you want from us? What are we doing well, and what could we improve? How can we better serve you?
Email us.
Thank you!
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The Richman Star is a publication of Special Olympics Florida - Sarasota County and is dedicated to Elliott Richman, past editor, devoted volunteer and coach to Special Olympics athletes.
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