Lucas County Lightning Newsletter

Winter 2024

Yes, another newsletter already!!

Fall is a short sports season, so it is time to get out information for winter sports. We ask that you read the information listed for each sport before signing up and use the link provided later in this newsletter to register.

**You can only choose one sport for the winter season!! You will only be allowed to mark one sport when registering!

Winter Special Olympics Program

This winter we are offering Swimming, Basketball, and Pep Squad/Cheer Team. Please make sure you read the information for each sport before registering.

Swimming

To safely participate in Lucas County SO swim program, athletes need to be able to swim 25 meters (typically one lap down the pool) by themselves without touching the bottom of the pool, grabbing the side, or using a float. Swim practice will be held weekly at St. Francis High School pool, at 2323 W. Bancroft St., Toledo. The swim season will begin in October and will practice on Sundays from 11-12.

Basketball

Due to the different skill levels of the teams/players and divisions within Special Olympics, everyone who registers for basketball will be required to participate in a screening/tryout before being placed on a team. This allows the volunteer coaches to keep the teams as fair and competitive as possible. Each team roster limit is 15 players.

Based on numbers from previous years, this means some athletes may not make a team; however, if this is the case, you can be assigned to the skills team where you practice the basics of basketball including dribbling, shooting, and passing. Once registration is closed, all registered athletes will receive an email with the tryout information.

Pep Squad/Competitive Cheer

If you have spirit, then you may want to become a part of our Lucas County Lightning Pep Squad! You have two options to participate. First, you can join the Pep Squad that after a few practices, only cheers at home SO basketball games throughout the season. Or you can join the Competitive Cheer Team which will perform at a few games (we will probably have you perform at half time at a few games during the season) and competes at the State Winter games in March. Due to more people wanting to join cheer, this year you can only choose one cheer option, Pep Squad or Competitive Cheer.

1. Pep Squad – will only cheer at home basketball games. **Please note that due to the growing popularity of this sport, we may also have to limit how many athletes will cheer at home games because of the small space we have during games.

2.Competitive Cheer – you will need to attend practice weekly. We are also limiting the team size this year. Once registration is completed, we will let you know if it is necessary to conduct an evaluation day.

Winter Sports Registration Information

The online registration form for winter sports is found by clicking here.

The registration page for our winter sports is open now until October 18. You must register during this time to play a winter sport!

To participate in a sport, you must be at least 16 years old, reside in Lucas County, have a qualifying diagnosis and have a current Special Olympics medical form on file with our office.

Click here to download the New Athlete Packet for Special Olympics (Skip this if you are already registered with Lucas County Special Olympics)

Please return your completed forms by either:

-email to specialolympics@lucasdd.org

-conventional mail to:

Lucas County Special Olympics

1154 Larc Lane

Toledo, Ohio 43614

Important information! Please read:

**Anyone who has questions regarding Special Olympics, like practices and games, or anything else, please contact our office at specialolympics@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5115 and talk directly to Special Olympics staff. Programming, practice (including cancellations/scheduling), and competition decisions are all made by the Special Olympics staff.

We ask that any and all questions be directed to Special Olympics staff. Please respect our volunteer coaches and their time, as they already donate so much to our program, by letting the Special Olympics staff take care of all your questions.

Additionally, Special Olympics staff and coaches do not provide direct supervision to athletes. Please make appropriate arrangements if supervision is necessary.

If you have any questions about this, please email Kelley Watson at kwatson@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-5109.

2024 Fall States Competition

Individual Softball Skills

Fourteen athletes represented Lucas County in the skills division of the 2024 state softball tournament that was held on Saturday, September 7 in Oregon, Ohio. All these athletes worked hard this season to learn and improve their skills on the softball field. The hard work paid off check out all these medals!! Great job everyone!!

Upcoming Events

Common Ground's Spooky Social Oct. 8

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The next meeting is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at our Larc Lane Training Center and is a Spooky Social - costumes are encouraged! Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Lucas DD Trunk or Treat on Oct. 15

Get your costume ready for Lucas DD's Trunk or Treat! This is a free community event; all abilities are welcome! No registration required. We will see you on our campus at 5:30 p.m. on October 15.

Cops & Conversation Oct. 16

Please join SALUTE (Lucas DD's self-advocacy group) for an opportunity for law enforcement and people with developmental disabilities to get to know one another and ask questions. This is a hybrid session on October 16 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Contact Deetra Kelly with any questions.

Wealth & Wisdom Oct. 16

You can attend this session on October 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in person or virtually. Free meal offered if you register to attend in-person. 5:30 is the meal, followed by the session starting at approximately 6. October's topic is Money Mapping: A New Way to Budget. The session will include identifying needs v. wants, understanding income v. expenses, understanding negative and positive cash flow, and creating a personal Money Map. Special guests from 5/3 Bank will be presenting along with County Board staff.

Halloween Rec Jam!

Mark your calendars to dance the night away from 7- 9 p.m. on October 24. Costumes encouraged! No registration necessary. Click headline for full details.

State Flag Football Competition

The State Flag Football Competition will take place in Geneva, Ohio on October 19-20. Contact Kelley Watson for details.

For additional events, please check out our online calendar by clicking here. To receive information about events in your inbox, click here and add your email.

Comments or questions?

Please feel free to email Kelley at kwatson@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-5109 if you have any questions and/or suggestions regarding this newsletter or anything else.

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