SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Unified Champion Schools

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities through education, sports and youth leadership to provide them with the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to create and sustain school communities that promote acceptance and respect. Special Olympics Iowa partners with pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges to implement or continue three main components of the Unified Champion Schools model.

Interested in becoming a Unified Champion School?

LEARN MORE

Unified Golf Tour

The Unified Golf Tour is off to a great start! Unified Golf pairs individuals with intellectual disabilities with Unified partners (golfers without intellectual disabilities) to compete in a team environment. The Unified Golf Tour offers opportunities to participate in varying skill levels, including 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole, and mini golf competitions.

Upcoming Unified Golf Tour Dates

Cedar Rapids (Twin Pines Golf Course) - September 7

Muscatine (Muscatine Municipal Golf Course) - September 11

Davenport (Red Hawk Golf Course) - September 12

Granger (Jester Park Golf Course) - September 21

Sioux City (Sun Valley Golf Course) - September 21

MORE INFORMATION

Special Olympics Night at the Iowa Cubs

Join us at the ballpark on Tuesday, September 10 for a fun evening of baseball at Principal Park. Coaches, athletes, Unified partners, family members, and friends of Special Olympics Iowa are all welcome to come cheer the Iowa Cubs to victory over the Louisville Bats.

Details

Date: Tuesday, September 10

Time: 6:38pm

Location: Principal Park (1 Line Drive, Des Moines)

Ticket Price: $9.00

For tickets, contact Amanda Dale with the Iowa Cubs.

515-280-2640 amandad@iowacubs.com

Fall Classic

We are gearing up for our second Fall Classic on September 27-28! This event, held at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, offers competitions in equestrian, flag football, flag football skills, golf, pickleball, volleyball and volleyball skills. Healthy Athletes® screenings will also be provided to athletes by healthcare professionals.

MORE INFORMATION

We are in need of a number of volunteers to help make Fall Classic a success! To view open shifts and register, please click the volunteer button below.

VOLUNTEER

Hall of Fame

Do you know someone who has devoted many years to and goes above and beyond for Special Olympics Iowa? Nominate them for the Hall of Fame! The SOIA Hall of Fame was created in 2018 by the Board of Directors to recognize the longevity and achievement of athletes and volunteers with the organization. A voting committee is responsible for reviewing all nominations and voting for the inductees. The inductees will be announced at the SOIA Holiday Party on December 12, 2024. The deadline to submit your nominations is October 4.

NOMINATION INFORMATION AND FORMS

FUNDRAISING CENTRAL

Cop on a Rooftop Was a Slam Dunk(in')

On August 16th, Special Olympics Iowa athletes, coaches, and staff alongside officers from 37 law enforcement agencies collected donations at 22 statewide Dunkin' locations for the annual Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop campaign.

Through their diligent efforts, more than $33,400 was collected for SOIA athletes and programs!

Raising Funds at Raising Cane's

We're partnering with Raising Cane's for a Giveback Day! On Thursday, September 12th, dine at a participating Raising Cane's location in Iowa, mention you're with Special Olympics, and 15% of sales comes back to SOIA.

Date: Thursday, September 12th

What: 15% giveback when mentioning Special Olympics Iowa

Participating Locations:

• Altoona (2929 8th St SW)

• Cedar Falls (201 Viking Plaza Dr)

• Cedar Rapids 230 Collins Rd NE)

• Coralville (2800 Commerce Dr)

• Davenport (2725 E 53rd St)

• Johnston (8550 Birchwood Dr)

• West Des Moines (5901 Mills Civic Pkwy)

Honk If You're Excited...

The Truck Convoy for Special Olympics is a one-day celebration of the trucking industry, allied partners, and law enforcement all working together to raise money for Special Olympics Iowa. This year's Convoy is Saturday, September 21st.

Law enforcement officers will escort the Convoy 20 miles from Veterans Parkway (Exit 101) in West Des Moines along Highway 5 to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Special Olympics Iowa athletes and families, and supporters are all invited to hold signs, cheer, and welcome the truckers as they enter the fairgrounds for lunch and a celebration with awards. The Convoy will arrive at the fairgrounds at approximately 11:30am.

MORE INFORMATION

The Temps are Dropping...

The fall Polar Plunge® season is officially upon us! Join us at a Plunge near you for an opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes while jumping into frigid waters. You can take the plunge solo or with coworkers, friends, or family members.

Fall 2024 Polar Plunges

September 14- Davenport

October 26- Siouxland

November 3- Fort Dodge

November 9- Dubuque

December 7- West Des Moines

MORE INFORMATION

Save the Date for this Tailgate

Hop in and buckle up. We're taking a road trip to a great party! Tailgate for Teammates is Saturday, October 19th and you won't want to miss it. This tailgate-themed gala includes a silent auction, athlete meet and greets, food and drinks, and more. Seating is limited, purchase your tickets before they're gone!

PURCHASE TICKETS