Special Olympics Iowa is Going Fishing
We are excited to announce that this month we are holding our first fishing competition. The Virtual Fishing Tournament is open to all athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and fans. The two-part event kicks off today with the fishing competition and concludes with the Virtual Fishing Series on September 24 and 25. The fishing competition will feature five events - Best Selfie with a Fish, Biggest Fish Caught, Longest Fish Caught, Most Different Species of Fish Caught, and Most Fish Caught in One Day.


Important Dates
Fishing Competition - September 1 - 21
Scores Due - September 21
Virtual Fishing Series - September 24 & 25
Join Us for a Virtual Adventure Scavenger Hunt presented by The Lohse Family Foundation Fund
Do you and your friends have what it takes to get the highest point total and win the $500 gift card? Put your skills to the test by registering a team for the first virtual adventure scavenger hunt (VASH) supporting Special Olympics Iowa. Teams of 8 will compete to become the ultimate VASHer through a series of daily clues and challenges that will take place September 14 through 27. There will be a total of 12 clues, 10 weekday clues and 2 weekend clues.

VASH Dates: September 14 - 27
Cost per Team:$200
First Class of Special Olympics Iowa
Health Messengers
Special Olympics Iowa held its very first Health Messenger Training on August 28 and 29. This virtual training equipped 7 athletes and their mentors to be wellness leaders, educators, advocates, and role models within their teams and communities. Athletes attended sessions on fitness, emotional health, health self-advocacy, nutrition, and more before assessing how they want to serve as a leader. Athletes then had time to plan for and present a practicum that they will implement over the next year!  

The 2020 Special Olympics Iowa Health Messenger class includes Cari Davis, Charity Hodson, Abbie Kliegl, Mercedes Krahmer, Casey McAleer, Amanda Oswald, and Adam Payne.
Lisa Spencer Named Special Olympics North America Health Messenger
Lisa Spencer, Special Olympics Iowa athlete, was selected to be a member of Special Olympics North America's third cohort of Virtual Health Messenger trainees. Lisa and her cohort met virtually eight evenings this past month to complete their training. While Lisa's training was formatted differently, it covered all of the same topics as the Special Olympics Iowa Health Messenger Training. Lisa looks forward to implementing her practicum with her Special Olympics Iowa peers.



If you would like to find out more about the Health Messenger programming, please email Kara Neustrom.
Pigskin Madness is BACK
The annual Pigskin Madness fundraiser is set to begin September 10. The fundraiser will feature 187 chances (11 chances a week) to win cash prizes during the 17 week NFL football season. In the event the NFL football season is canceled, a weekly prize will still be awarded. Tickets are $20 and need to be purchased by September 10 for you to be in the running for prizes the first week.


Questions can be directed to Maddie Nelson.
The 9th Annual LETR Golf Tournament
The 9th Annual LETR Golf Tournament took place on August 17 at Beaver Creek Golf Course. The tournament included 11 foursomes and raised over $4,200. Thank you to all that participated in the tournament.
The Virtual Summer Mini Golf Tournament
was a Hole in One
Since the Unified Golf Tournaments across the state were canceled this year, a two-part Virtual Summer Mini Golf Tournament was held during the month of August. The tournament began with the at-home competition, which gave individuals the opportunity to showcase their golf skills and creativity. Each individual that competed in the tournament created their own at-home mini golf course before they began golfing.

The second part of the tournament was the Virtual Summer Mini Golf Series on August 27 and 28. The series included a pet show, a scavenger hunt, a talent show, an art gallery, Special Olympics trivia, and the highly anticipated tournament results announcement.
Connect With Special Olympics Iowa
Practicing social distancing may be the most effective way to fight the spread of COVID-19. However, that doesn't mean you can't connect virtually and reach out to teammates, friends, and family.

Connect with Special Olympics Iowa for inspiration and wellness tips.
Coaches Corner
We are excited to share that Class A Volunteer certification and re-certification can now be completed online in three steps.
  1. Complete the Class A Volunteer Application and background check
  2. Take the Protective Behavior Training and quiz
  3. submit a color photo, passport quality, to [email protected]