Tag Archive for: #specialolympicsnorthcarolinavancecounty

Registration Underway for Vance Co. Special Olympics Volleyball

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-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Vance County’s Special Olympics Volleyball will play on Tuesday nights from March 26 through May 28, 2019, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Aycock Rec. Center.

Applicants must pre-register by Friday, March 8, 2019.

For more information contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us

The purpose of the Vance County Special Olympics North Carolina is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Polar Plunge Raises Funds for Vance County Special Olympics

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire

Held on a chilly morning earlier this month, the 2018 Special Olympics Vance County Polar Plunge saw a total of 53 courageous people brave the freezing water of Kerr Lake.

The sixth annual event took place on Saturday, February 3 and began at 9:30 am with participants checking-in at the Satterwhite Point Glass House. Participants were required to raise at least $30 to take part in the plunge. Hot cocoa and a t-shirt were provided to all plungers, with additional t-shirts being sold to assist fundraising efforts.

Participants were asked to come dressed to impress, with costumes highly encouraged. Rules included no wetsuits allowed, tennis or water shoes required and warm, dry clothes to change into recommended.

Before the lake plunge began, prizes were awarded for best individual and team costume, most money raised by both an individual and a team and largest team.

The contest was followed by the main event-the icy plunge into the lake. Vance County Special Olympics Local Coordinator Crystal Allen reported that participants did everything from sticking their toes in the water to running in.

The event raised over $7,000 for the Special Olympics, with proceeds going directly to equipment, uniforms and supplies for Vance County athletes.

“We are so appreciative that you have helped us to fulfill our goals,” Allen said. “We hope to have even more participation next year!”

Special Olympics North Carolina is a non-profit amateur sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports to nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization relies on generous support from individuals, businesses, and foundations to provide services.

According to the Special Olympics North Carolina website, approximately $2.57 million dollars has been raised for athletes in NC since 2000. These funds were raised by over 46,000 donors and made possible by over 5,000 fundraising events.

“Special Olympics strives to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities hope for a healthier, longer and more fulfilling life through sports training and competition that keeps them engaged in regular physical activity within a structured peer network,” said Allen. “Through participation in Special Olympics, our athletes build self-confidence and improve their overall health and well-being.”

Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or coaching a Special Olympics sport is asked to contact Allen at (252) 431-6091. “Without volunteers from the community, we could not provide a program for our local athletes,” Allen said.

Allen thanks all who made the fundraiser successful, “On behalf of the local committee, athletes and community participants of Special Olympics Vance County, I would like to offer a sincere thank you for your generous contribution to our annual Polar Plunge.”

Mark your calendar for next February’s Polar Plunge, get your friends or co-workers together to form a team and plan to wear your best lake-diving costume.

Special Olympics Polar Plunge 2018

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The Vance County Polar Plunge for Special Olympics North Carolina is Saturday, February 3.  You must preregister by Friday, January 5.

Contact Crystal Allen at 252-431-6091 or vance@sonc.net for more information.

Freezin’ For A Reason – Polar Plunge – Check in at the Satterwhite Point Glasshouse between 9:30 and 10 a.m. on February 3.  Prize giveaway from 10 until 10:30 a.m.  JUMP! at 10:30 a.m.

Allen is the Local Coordinator in Vance County.  She also works for the City of Henderson.

In a release of information, Allen wrote the following:

“Our athletes are not charged any fee to participate in the program, and we need your support! We will be having our annual Polar Plunge Fundraiser on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018. This will be an event where courageous participants raise funds for our program to jump in Kerr Lake. In order to keep costs manageable for this event, we are asking for donations from the community. If your business provides $50 or more to the Polar Plunge, we will put your name and logo on our T-shirts, which will be given to each participant. Checks can be made payable to Special Olympics Vance County at P.O. Box 1556, Henderson, NC 27536. Please mail checks in by January 8th, 2018 in order to have logo put on the T-shirts.”

Allen also wrote, “Thanks to the continued support of communities across North Carolina, Special Olympics is proud to say we now serve more than 38,000 athletes. Here in Vance County, we currently have a basketball program, a volleyball program, and a bocce program that provide opportunities for athletes to compete locally and across the state. In the future, our local program plans to add more sports and competitions to increase participation and opportunities, creating long lasting growth and success.

“Special Olympics strives to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities hope for a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life through sports training and competition that keeps them engaged in regular physical activity within a structured peer network. Through participation in Special Olympics our athletes achieve goals, build self-confidence and improve their overall health and well-being.”