Special Olympics Louisiana Mid Year Review

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April 2011

In This Issue

Louisiana sends 6 to Greece

Boasting about the Past

Going on Now

ScholarWise

Focusing on the Future

Quick Links

Special Olympics Louisiana

ScholarWise

Special Olympics Inc.

Our Sponsors

Greetings!

This year has gotten off to a great start! As usual we are staying very busy and there are many wonderful things underway. In this issue we list several ways you can get involved whether it be through participating, coaching, volunteering or donating.

Be sure to help spread the message of Special Olympics by passing this newsletter on to your family and friends. We look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming events.

Best regards,

Pat Carpenter Bourgeois

President and CEO of Special Olympics Louisiana

Louisiana sends 6 representatives to compete in Greece!

2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece will take place June 25th through July 4th. Representing Louisiana are 5 athletes and 1 coach:

- Coach Cindy Landry from Lafayette, LA will be the Team USA Cycling coach

- Steven Tookes from Ringgold, LA competing in Athletics

- Joel Murray from West Monroe, LA competing in Golf

- Ja' Cher Melton from Shreveport, LA competing in Athletics

- Patricia Westrope from Lake Charles, LA competing in Bocce

- Boyd Reeves from Lake Charles, LA competing in Bocce

Find out more

How YOU can help: Our goal is $10,000 to send each representative to the World Games! Make a donation by contacting us at laso@laso.org or call 1-800-345-6644, every little bit helps!

Boasting about the Past

Only 3 months in to 2011 we already have so much to recap and share with how your time and donations made a difference:

- Polar Plunges took place in Baton Rouge and Shreveport. Over 100 people took the Plunge and jumped into icy waters in the name of Special Olympics Louisiana.Check our calendar of events in the upcoming months to see how YOU can participate next year.

View the Pictures

- Capitol Hill Day : Special Olympics Louisiana athlete Ashley Arceneaux and Unified Partner Erin Frickey joined Special Olympics Louisiana President and CEO, Pat Carpenter Bourgeois in Washington D.C. for the annual Capitol Hill Day.

Find out more about Capitol Hill Day

- Spread the Word to End the Word took place on March 2, 2011 over 300 people took the pledge to not say the "r-word" anymore. Have you? Anyone can take the pledge.

Take the pledge now

- Scarf Project : People from 39 states and Canada sent us scarves for the first Scarf Project in Louisiana. We received over 1,100 scarves! All knitters and crocheters, stay tuned for the new colors to be announced shortly.

Learn more about the scarf project

- State Indoor Games took place March 11-13 with about 600 athletes participating in Bowling, Basketball and Tennis Skills. Thank you to all the coaches, volunteers and athletes who participated.

View the pictures

Going on Now

Get involved today! Right now we have several events taking place across Louisiana, visit your area to see what is happening or call your area director

- Slidell Fire Truck Pull is April 2, 2011 at Louisiana National Guard Camp Villere in Slidell, LA. Still time to register your team of 10 to pull a fire truck for various awards and prizes. The public can register now.

- Leaders of Tomorrow nominations are now underway! Nominate someone you know, under the age of 21, who is going above and beyond to make a difference. Do you know a Leader of Tomorrow? Nominate them today.

Anyone can nominate someone here

- Law Enforcement Torch Run registration is underway for Torch Run Week. Get your law enforcement agency involved or registered.

Find out how to get involved here

Don't miss your chance to be ScholarWise!

ScholarWise brings together schools, students, families, and Special Olympics Louisiana for mutual benefit. Learners of all ages have the opportunity to win a $100,000 trust that can be used for any qualified educational expense - including repayment of student loans. The prize can be used for multiple students. Tickets are $100 and are limited; they may be purchased on www.myscholarwise.com, at all Home Bank locations and by phone at 1-877-324-2010. Support Special Olympics Louisiana and buy your ticket today for a chance to win the ScholarWise $100,000 scholarship. Deadline to purchase a ticket is April 19th! YOU could be our next winner!

Click here to Buy your ticket NOW

Focusing on the Future

In the next few months there are numerous events coming up for everyone! Check out our calendar of events for a complete list of events. Here are a few:

- State Golf and Cycling in Monroe, LA on April 17th-18th about 300 athletes from across Louisiana will be participating in Golf and Cycling. Sign up to volunteer.

Find out more about the event here

- SOL Bowl in Harahan, LA on April 17th is Celebrity Bowling Fundraiser where businesses bowl with local celebrities and Special Olympics Louisiana athletes. There are still lanes available. Your business can register today!

- Rotary Club of Lafayette South Golf Tournament in Lafayette on April 25th is looking for teams of 4 to compete in this annual golf competition. You can sign up to play!

Learn more

- Law Enforcement Torch Run Week across Louisiana the week of May 16th-20th is looking for new agencies! Run routes are being finalized and registration is underway. Law enforcement agencies can register now.

See the routes in your area

- State Summer Games in Hammond, LA on May 20th-22nd will feature approximately 1,000 athletes competing in Athletics, Bocce, Powerlifting and Volleyball. Sign up to volunteer.

Find out more details

- Camp Shriver will take place in several locations the entire summer. People with intellectual disabilities and their peers without compete on teams together to learn various sports skills. You can be a unified partner.

Learn more about Camp Shriver

- Sports Awards Banquet in Shreveport, LA on July 9th will showcase 16 individual/groups who showed tremendous dedication in 2010. Come to the event.

View the winners

- Plane Pull at Lafayette Regional Airport on July 30th is looking for teams of 20 to pull a FedEx plane! Do you have what it takes? The public can register to test their strength now!