August 2014 - Special Olympics Iowa

August 2014
Newsletter
Team Iowa dominates at 2014 USA Games
The 2014 USA Games, June 14-21, in New Jersey provided several Special Olympics
Iowa athletes with an unforgettable experience. Thirty-seven Team Iowa athletes
competed in aquatics, athletics, bocce, bowling, golf, powerlifting, softball and tennis.
Team Iowa represented Special Olympics Iowa with pride and class throughout the
USA Games. The athletes brought home medals, ribbons, and memories that will
last a lifetime.
The USA Games is an advanced competition for Team Iowa athletes, which gave
athletes an opportunity to compete with other athletes of similar ability levels from
across the country. On the field of competition, Team Iowa had a strong showing. The
team brought home 67 gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as 15 4th-6th place
ribbons. Team Iowa athletes Blaine Fuller (aquatics), Calea Lockhart (aquatics), Mindy
Anderson (athletics), Geoff Hacker (athletics), and Drew Hudson (athletics) each
brought home four medals from the 2014 USA Games.
Thank you to the 2014
Team Iowa sponsors!
Sammons Financial Group
(softball and bocce)
Hy-Vee
Continental Western Group
General Mills (aquatics)
US Bancorp
Business Professionals of America
Powerlifter Mitchell Betsworth also had a strong showing for Team Iowa. The
countless hours of workouts and training paid off for Betsworth, as he placed in all four
events he competed in, including a first place finish in the dead lift. Like many other
Team Iowa athletes, Betsworth has received much attention after competing in the USA Games.
Iowa Tennis Association
Special Olympics Iowa West
Central Area contributions
“I can honestly say that Mitchell trained harder for this competition than I trained my entire life,” Mitchell’s father, Troy
Betsworth, said. “The mailbox is stuffed daily with cards and our phone is constantly ringing for Mitchell “The Animal”
Betsworth.” (continued on page 3)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please note that sometime during the last half of 2014, this newsletter will no longer be printed,
but will be available online at www.soiowa.org.
The change will allow Special Olympics Iowa to share news and updates with readers more efficiently and effectively. The
online publication will also be easy to access through the SOIA website. Important news announcements will be available
via email, on the website or in Constant Contact messages. Registration forms for coaches trainings, program events and a
calendar of events will continue to be available on the SOIA website for your use and convenience.
Have fun, get creative and support Special Olympics Iowa!
Casey’s Cup Promotion
Special Olympics Iowa and Casey’s General Stores are teaming up to help
benefit the approximately 12,000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified Sports
partners across the state of Iowa. Stop by your local Casey’s to purchase a
44oz. fountain drink anytime between now and Labor Day for a chance to win
a free Casey’s pizza and the grand prize in September. The grand prize
includes a $250 gift card from Casey's General Stores, a one night stay at the
Tropics Resort in Des Moines and four free passes to the Tropics' water park.
Send in a photo of you and your cup to [email protected] to be entered
in the weekly drawing. Each week, a winner will be randomly selected and
announced on Friday. Send in a new photo each week to increase your chance
of winning the grand prize in September.
UFC Ultimate Fighting Champion Joins Adventure Seekers
at Over the Edge fundraiser on September 17
Special Olympics Iowa will host the fifth annual “Over the Edge” fundraiser on Wednesday September 17, at the Financial Center in
downtown Des Moines. Among the adventure seekers, Special Olympics Iowa will team up with Pat Miletich, Ultimate Fighting
Championship (UFC) Champion and newly inducted UFC Hall of Famer, to make the event even more exciting. Miletich and participants
will rappel down the 345-foot building to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes and programs.
Companies, organizations and individuals are welcome to register for the event. Interested persons will use their online fundraising page
or collect cash and checks from their network of friends, family and co-workers. If your boss has ever pushed you over the edge, there
will also be an opportunity to toss your boss! “Not a lot of people can say they get to rappel over 300 feet,” Special Olympics volunteer
Anne Buscher said. “It’s fun and for such a great cause! ”
Rappelers must raise a minimum of $1,000. Rope times will not be assigned until the requirement is met. Participants will receive an
exclusive Over the Edge long sleeve T-shirt. To participate you must weigh a minimum of 100 lbs. and a maximum of 300 lbs. Participants
must be at least 14 years of age on the day of the event.
Register and find more details at www.soiowa.org/overtheedge.
Pigskin Madness raffle tickets now on sale!
Be sure to purchase a Pigskin Madness raffle ticket for the 2014 NFL season.
Last year, the fundraiser raised over $36,500 for Special Olympics Iowa!
How to play: Each raffle ticket will have three randomly assigned teams on it
for each week of the NFL season- 17 weeks. Each week, your three team scores
are added together to determine the winners. (For example, if in week one you
had Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, the points they
score will be added together for a total). If a team has a bye week, their
previous week's score is used.
Contact Jeanette or Lindsay at the State Office (515-986-5520)
to purchase a ticket or to sell a book of tickets for us!
Don’t miss your chance to be Freezin’ For A
Reason! Polar Plunges are taking place across
the state this fall.
Register now at www.soiowa.org/plunge
Davenport - West Lake Park Beach, October 25
Siouxland - Brown’s Lake, Salix, October 25
Fort Dodge - Kennedy Park, November 2
Des Moines - Big Creek, November 8
SUPER Plunge - Big Creek, November 7-8
$575 GIVEN AWAY each week (Weeks 1-17)
HIGHEST Three Team Total.................................$225
Second Highest...................................................$100
Third Highest...................................................... .$70
Fourth Highest......................................................$40
Fifth Highest.........................................................$35
Sixth Highest........................................................$30
Seventh Highest...................................................$25
Eighth Highest......................................................$20
LOWEST Three Team Total....................................$15
Second Lowest.....................................................$10
Third Lowest........................................................$5
Dubuque Water Ski Club,
November 15
Don’t wait!
Get your team
together today and
start planning for a
fun day to benefit
Special Olympics
Iowa athletes.
USA Games continued..
Outside of competition, the athletes and coaches kept busy at different
USA Games events. The week started out with the 2014 USA Games
Opening Ceremonies, where Team Iowa was joined by over 18,000 people
to enjoy a parade of athletes, entertainment, fireworks, the torch lighting,
and the raising of the Special Olympics flag. Team Iowa athletes also took
part in a dinner cruise on the Hudson River, which sailed around the Statue
of Liberty, they attended a double A baseball game, and also attended the
Olympic Festival.
The 2014 USA Games also provided an opportunity for some Team Iowa athletes to grow as individuals. Team Iowa Bowling
athlete, Allan Carrillo, left Iowa on June 14 for his first advanced competition as one of the quieter and more reserved athletes on
the team. It didn’t take long for Tabitha Darnell of the Scott County Adults delegation to take him under her wing and really guide
him in the right direction. Carrillo spent the rest of the week with a newfound confidence, joking and laughing with the rest of the
team. Carrillo brought home three ribbons from the USA Games and friendships that will last a lifetime.
“Special Olympics offers athletes opportunities that transform their lives,” Special Olympics Iowa Director of Sports and
Competition, Rhonda Schwarzkopf said. “Athletes become so self-assured and confident that they now focus on their abilities
rather than their disabilities.”
First annual Plane Pull presented by the
Rasmussen Group raises over $115,000
Special Olympics Iowa hosted the first annual Plane Pull Saturday
June 7, at the Des Moines International Airport. One of the world’s
strongest men, Derek Poundstone, was in attendance to support Special
Olympics Iowa. Even with the rainy weather, the event was a huge
success, raking in over $115,000 for Special Olympics Iowa.
Thirty-six teams raised money to take a shot at pulling the 60 ton UPS
plane. Some teams were filled with gym members and athletes, while
others were filled with priests, bankers and “misfits.”
“Our team thought the event sounded like a lot of fun, but it was
amazing,” Deb Norton, client services administrator at Bankers Trust
Company, said. “It was raining, but you’d think the sun was shining; the
atmosphere was that electric. The rain and storm added adventure to
the day.”
Teams were recognized for the fastest pull times in each division, as well
as for their fundraising efforts and costumes. The rainy day turned out to
be a major success for Special Olympics Iowa and fun for everyone who
participated. The planning for the 2015 Plane Pull is already underway.
Results
Fastest Pull: Story County
6.61 seconds (see photo)
Divisions
Public Safety: Des Moines
PD Clydesdales 7.00 seconds
Civic: Wild Knights 3379
7.53 seconds
High School/College: Ram
Tough 7.26 seconds
Open: Story County 6.61 seconds
Top Fundraising Team: Natural Born Pullers $7,643
Best Team Costume: The Misfits
“Our team can’t wait for next year,” Norton said.
Special Olympics Iowa introduces FIT Program
FIT, also known as Fitness Improvement Training, is a new program created for Special Olympics Iowa to
improve the overall fitness, health, and well-being for the athletes. To get the athletes started, a baseline
assessment is recommended. The assessment consists of a series of fitness stations, testing many different
areas of strength and conditioning. The athletes are encouraged to participate in this assessment to gather
their baseline scores so they know where to improve athletically.
A great feature about this program is that it is unified. This means anyone who is included in the Special Olympics community is
encouraged to participate. This includes families, coaches, volunteers and staff. This aspect helps the athletes stay motivated to be active.
Everyone who participates has a chance to win prizes and awards throughout the year by improving their scores. Assessment kits are
available for coaches.
This program is a great addition to Special Olympics Iowa. It is important to keep the athletes motivated and healthy throughout the year,
even when they are not competing. It is also a great way to teach the team sportsmanship, because they will be able to win awards by
working together. Overall, FIT will boost the positive attitudes and quality of life for the athletes, which is really what Special Olympics
Iowa is really all about. It’s time to get FIT!
For more information regarding the FIT Program or to set up a fitness assessment, contact the SOIA Eastern Regional Field Director,
Adrienne Johnson at [email protected] or by phone at (515) 986-5520, ext. 122. There is also more information located at
www.soiowa.org.
Congratulations to the 2014 Special Olympics Iowa
Distinguished Services Award winners!
Capt. Ken Clary awarded
Governor's Volunteer Award
Ed Lehner Award:
Chick Herbert, West Des Moines
Pam Wagner Athlete of the Year:
Brian Rolek, West Des Moines (pictured on right)
Outstanding Coach of the Year:
Laurie Fallon, Western Dubuque (pictured below)
Outstanding Family of the Year:
The Vierkants (Jeff, Nancy, Megan, Maddie and
Ally)
Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year:
Toshia Kasperbauer, Harlan
Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year:
Nevada Middle School
Outstanding Summer Games Volunteers:
Beisser Lumber, Paul Quam, Glen Mente,
Steve Sullivan and Kim Hill
Outstanding University Volunteers:
Judi Eyles, Maura Flaschner and Curt Purdum
Outstanding Business Partner: Prairie Meadows
New Business Partner: Casey's General Stores
Outstanding Civic/Service Organization: Knights of Columbus
Corporate Volunteer Award: Wells Fargo
Media Partner: Radio Iowa
Media Professional: Pat Powers
Media Technologies Partner: Michael Reese
Scott Bryant Unsung Hero Memorial Award: Chief Michelle Leonard
Iowa State Patrol Captain Ken Clary was recently
awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Award at the 31st
Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony. Clary
earned this recognition for his work with Special
Olympics Iowa. This prestigious volunteer recognition
program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards
presented in 1983. What began as a small program
only available to state and government agencies has
expanded over the years and now provides all Iowa
nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations
with an easy way to honor local volunteers with a
state-level recognition award.
Volunteers may be selected for an award in one of
several categories: Individual; Group; Disaster
Volunteer; or Length of Service. Award recipient
criteria include an individual or group who has:
demonstrated exceptional commitment to
volunteerism by helping with a special project or
ongoing activities, demonstrated exemplary
leadership, creativity, cooperation, and hard work in
their service to others, and made an outstanding
contribution to state or community through volunteer
service.
Congratulations Captain Clary! We appreciate
your efforts for Special Olympics Iowa.
Plan your EKS Day activities in September with online resources
Plan your events now for the fifth annual global Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day (EKS Day) on Saturday, September 27. The day is
celebrated around the world, bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities in sport activities to honor the
inspiration, impact and indomitable spirit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
There are plenty of tools for your EKS Day event at your school or in your community. Note—your events can take place on any
day in September. For ideas and action steps visit http://www.specialolympics.org/eksday/
Don’t forget to share your activities on the Special Olympics Iowa
Facebook page and on Twitter!
Team Iowa Limited Edition Posters
Order Your Numbered, Limited Edition
2014 Special Olympics USA Games Team Iowa Poster Now
ONLY 250 AVAILABLE!

Posters are full-color, 24 x 36-inch, numbered and limited-edition

Poster design represents an illustrative collage of the Team Iowa experience at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games
in New Jersey

Posters will be available for pick up at Special Olympics Iowa and regional locations

Price is $100.00 each and for an additional $25.00, a poster will be donated to a USA Games Team Iowa athlete

Posters will be available to view online at www.soiowa.org
Be sure to check out all of the Law Enforcement
Torch Run events and fundraisers!
In Memory
Tom Regennitter
http://www.soiowa.org/pages/LawEnforcementTorchRun.aspx
The Dollars for Doers Program (DFD) is a contributions
program that donates cash grants to qualified nonprofit
organizations based on a level of employee involvement,
usually as volunteers or board members. Special Olympics
Iowa has benefited from this program from various
companies and their employees in Iowa.
The effects of this program are two-fold. It allows the
employee to donate his or her time to an organization that
they value, while the company acknowledges its employees'
dedication by donating cash to the same cause, therefore
allowing the employee to “give twice.” This program can be
implemented in place of, or along with, a matching gifts
program to allow those employees who cannot give the gift
of monetary funds, an opportunity to contribute and be
acknowledged. For more information, contact your
company’s corporate services representative, human
resources office or manager.
Tom Regennitter, 61, of Glenwood and Oxford Junction, Iowa,
passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Tom’s deep love for
his family was only matched by his love for participating in
Special Olympics. Each morning Tom gathered his favorite
Special Olympics medals from his dresser and set out upon his
day with his medals proudly displayed around his neck and a
smile on his face. Tom was a proud athlete who participated in
track and field and his favorite sport of bowling. He also enjoyed
Challenge Days. Tom’s face would always light up when you
asked him about his medals and all his adventures at Special
Olympics. For Tom the Special Olympics oath rang true; Let me
win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.
Coaches Training, Unified Sports, Challenge Days, Play Days, Fundraisers, LETR Events
August
LETR Cop on Top – August 1-3, Walmart, Grimes, IA
State Softball Tournament - August 2, Raccoon River Park, West Des Moines
Athlete Golf Lessons – August 5, Waukee (Registration closed)
Council Bluffs Challenge Day – August 7, Iowa Western College (9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
contact Kathy Irving at (515-986-5520, ext. 111)
Unified Golf—August 9, Davenport (Deadline is July 25) contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected]
LETR 5th Annual Golf Tournament Four Person Best Shot – August 11, Echo Valley Country Club, Norwalk
(Registration: 8 a.m., shotgun start: 9:30 a.m.)
Unified Golf – August 17, Spencer, (Deadline is August 1) contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected]
LETR Cop on Top — August 22-24, Walmart, Coralville & Iowa City
LETR Benefit Ride - August 23, Webster City
September
Cedar Rapids Unified Golf — September 6, Cedar Rapids Twin Pines Golf Course (Deadline is August 22) (limited)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
Muscatine Unified Golf — September 10, Muscatine Golf Course (Deadline is August 22) (limited)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
G&G Living Unified Sports Day—September 13, Guttenberg (Deadline is August 29)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
Over the Edge – September 17, The Financial Center, Des Moines
Sioux City Play Day - September 17, Long Line Family Center (9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.)
contact Kathy Irving at (515-986-5520, ext. 111)
BVU (Buena Vista University) Unified Sports Day — September 18, Storm Lake (Deadline is August 29)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
Cornell College Unified Sports — September 20, Mt Vernon (Deadline is August 29)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
Coaches Sports Training Certification Clinic – September 27, Spencer Middle School, Spencer, IA
(Return registration form to Rhonda Schwarzkopf by 09/23)
October
Jester Park Unified Golf – October 4, Des Moines Jester Park Golf Course (Deadline is September 19)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
State Flag Football Tournament – October 4, Cedar Rapids
Upper Iowa Unified Sports Day – October 11, Fayette (Deadline is September 26)
contact Michelle Haney at 515-986-5520 or [email protected].
Coaches Tennis Training Certification Clinic – October 11, Athletic Club, Iowa City, IA
(Return registration form to Rhonda Schwarzkopf by 10/07)
LETR World’s Largest Truck Convoy – October 11, West Des Moines
Akron Unified Golf —TBA
Council Bluffs Play Day – October 17, Thomas Jefferson High School (9:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.)
contact Kathy Irving at (515-986-5520, ext. 111)
State Volleyball Tournament – October 18, Iowa State University (Ames)
Davenport Polar Plunge– October 25, West Lake Park Beach
Siouxland Polar Plunge– October 25, Brown’s Lake (Salix)
551 SE Dovetail Road
PO Box 620
Grimes, Iowa 50111
www.soiowa.org
Thank You To Our Partners!
Champion Statewide Partners
Premier Statewide Partners
Champion & Premier Statewide Partners provide a comprehensive level of support of all programs and services offered by
Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA). Organizations may be recognized at these levels for financial support, in-kind donations or any
combination thereof, and are recognized in many other ways. To find out more about our current partnership opportunities or
for information on how to become one, visit our website at www.soiowa.org and look under Support Us, or contact the SOIA
Vice President of Development Sherry Fuller at 515-986-5520 Ext. 103.