Special Olympics began in 1968 when Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the First International Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The concept was born in the early 1960s when Mrs. Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities. She saw that individuals with intellectual disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought. Since 1968, millions of children and adults with intellectual disabilities have participated in Special Olympics.
The over 800 athletes, 100 coaches, and 200 volunteers who currently participate in Special Olympics Pinellas would like to invite you or your organization to take an active role in supporting our program. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on the contributions and support of the community and local businesses to be able to provide our athletes with the caliber of programs that they deserve, while maintaining our unique principle that our programs are 100% free for athletes to participate.
Special Olympics Mission
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons eight years of age and older 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.
Special Olympics Philosophy
Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports. These must be adapted only as necessary to meet the needs of those with mental and physical limitations.
Special Olympics believes that consistent training is indispensable to the development of an individual's sports skills. In addition, competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress, and providing incentives for personal growth.
Special Olympics Athlete's Oath
"Let me win; but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 7, 2012
Area 3-on-3 Basketball
Coachman Service Center
Clearwater
January 14
Area 6 Basketball Tournament
Zephyrhills
January 21
Polar Plunge
Aquatica
Orlando
January 28
Coaches Conference
Coachmen Service Center
February 10-11
SW State Basketball Championships
Tampa
February 18
Pinellas County Summer Games
Osceola Middle School
8:30
March 10
Area VI Summer Games
Lakewood High
St. Petersburg
March 24
Area 6 Soccer Invitational
Land O Lakes
April 14
3rd Annual Poker Run
Quaker Steak
Pinellas Park
May 4-5
State Equestrian Championships
State Fairgrounds
May 18-20
State Summer Games
ESPN Wide World Of Sports
May 20
Special Olympics Bowl-a-thon!
10 Pin Lanes
Pasadena
August 11
Area 6 Aquatics Championships
Dunedin Highlander Pool
September 8
Pinellas County Bowling
Seminole Lanes, Seminole
September 29
Area 6 Bowling
10:00
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
For Basketball December 3, 2011 & January 7, 2012
Contact sopinellas_aol.com for details
2011-12_Calendar10-18-11.doc
Click the Word Document to Download the Calendar
ATHLETES
From bowling to swimming, from basketball to bocce, from Unified Sports to Athlete Leadership Programs, and everything in between, Special Olympics is an opportunity for families to share in the accomplishments of their children, be part of a year-round sports training and competition program that the whole family can enjoy and share their joy with other families.
More than nine out of 10 participating families say that Special Olympics has added a new dimension of happiness for their family, improved their child's self image and served as a strong network for the family.
Families can choose their own levels of involvement within the Special Olympics. Opportunities abound to provide encouragement and love, coaching, offer transportation, assist with fundraising, serve as chaperones and train other volunteers. Families are a vital link within the Special Olympics movement!
ATHLETE REGISTRATION
Special Olympics Pinellas offers training and competition opportunities in 17 different Olympic-type sports for athletes 8 years or older. No matter what your ability level, you can benefit from Special Olympics. And no matter what your interest, there is a sport for you.
SPORTS OFFERED IN PINELLAS COUNTY
Bowling / Target Bowling
Basketball Teams / Individual Basketball Skills
Equestrian
Softball
Track and Field
Soccer Teams / Individual Soccer Skills
Volleyball
Bocce
Tennis / Individual Tennis Skills
Cycling
Aquatics
Golf / Individual Golf Skills
Click Here to go to Special Olympics Florida Site for Athlete Registration forms
If you have questions regarding these forms, please contact sopinellas_aol.com
COACHING SPECIAL OLYMPICS' ATHLETES
Special Olympics coaches are models whose behavior serves as a positive example for their athletes. They must strive to provide the fairest and most positive competitive experience for every Special Olympics athlete. A coach is expected to uphold Olympic ideals and values. The coach must, above all, exhibit respect for the athletes, other coaches, volunteers, families and Games officials. They must have positive interpersonal relationships, uphold the highest values and be honest, trustworthy and courteous to all persons at all levels of the organization. Furthermore, the coach's principles of coaching must be compatible with the philosophy and objectives of Special Olympics.
The coach's verbal and physical behavior is expected to reflect a positive and constructive attitude toward Special Olympics competition and toward those officials, coaches, and event coordinators whose time and efforts provide that competitive opportunity. This attitude should reflect a confidence in the decisions of the Games Committee and sports officials, a belief that their decisions are made in the best interests of a fair competitive experience for all athletes, and are made in keeping with the goals and philosophies of Special Olympics. The coach accepts responsibility for the behavior of his or her athletes both in and out of the competitive arena while attending a Special Olympics event.
The Special Olympics coach is one who successfully tempers his or her own competitive urges and desires for success in order to assure that the fairest and most positive competitive experience is realized by all persons involved in the event. A good coach realizes that the Special Olympics experience is not limited to competition. The most successful coach is one who focuses on the lifelong benefits the athlete receives.
As a coach, your attitude toward sports and competition will directly affect your athletes. Special Olympics believes the athletic experience and camaraderie shared by teammates, coaches and other volunteers is what benefits the athlete most.
Successful coaches help athletes to enjoy mastering new skills, enjoy competing with others and to feel good about themselves.
Successful coaches are well versed in techniques and skills and know how to teach these skills to their athletes.
Successful coaches not only teach sports skills to their athletes, they also teach and model skills needed for successful living in society.
Successful coaches are those who can learn new skills, who are flexible enough to change old ways when needed, who can accept constructive criticism and who are able to critically evaluate themselves.
For information on coaching opportunities, please email sopinellas_aol.com
Click Here For Sports Information Coaching Guides
* Special Olympics Incorporated
* Special Olympics Florida
* UP With Downs of Pinellas
* St. Petersburg Therapeutic Rec
* City of St. Petersburg
* Largo Recreation Department
* Pinellas County Schools
* Casey's Cookies
* Polar Plunge
* Protective Behaviors
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the backbone and lifeblood of our organization. Volunteers enable us to offer the sports training and competition opportunities to as many people as possible. These activities provide our athletes with an opportunity to grow and showcase their skills. Special Olympics would not exist today without the time, energy, dedication, and commitment of our volunteers.
We need your help. We want to grow our program and offer it to more athletes in Pinellas County. We have a need for both year-round and day-of volunteers to work at various levels and fill a wide variety of roles in our programs.
Day-of volunteers (Class B) Year-round volunteers (Class A)
Officials Referees Committee Chairperson
Security Scorers Committee members and support
Timers Meal distribution Head and assistant coaches
Awards Runners Chaperones
Day-of volunteers are needed at all of our competitions and required to register as a "Class B" volunteer and may register at the event with a valid photo-ID. See the calendar for dates of opportunities.
Pre-registration is required for Area 6 Summer Games.
Please print out, complete, and bring the Class B Volunteer Form with you on the day of the event.
classbvolunteerform.pdf
Only "Class A" registered volunteers are authorized to be coaches, chaperones, and / or committee members. If you are interested in becoming a Class A Volunteer, email sopinellas_aol.com for more information.
To Volunteer at a State Event,
Go to http://www.specialolympicsflorida.org or call 1-800-322-HERO
DONATE TODAY
What do monetary contributions help provide?
Your donations help us provide our athletes the opportunities to compete against each other. Charitable contributions cover expenses such as: venue rental costs, transportation, meals at competitions, awards for participants, equipment and uniforms, as well as t-shirts for participating athletes and volunteers.
How can you, your service group, or your office help?
Individual financial contributions and / or corporate sponsorships obviously make a direct financial impact, but our program also benefits from donations of sports equipment, office equipment, and supplies.
There are also several ways for our community members to volunteer their time. We hold large events in both the Spring and Fall time-frame, as well as smaller events in the Winter and Summer. All of our events require volunteers to set up and stage events, tear-down events and manage details during the competitions. Small groups of 2 or 3 to even larger groups of more than 50 can volunteer together and make a direct impact with very little red tape.
Individuals who wish to participate on an ongoing basis, can volunteer to serve on our Management Team, become coaches, chaperones, or even partner-athletes in Unified Sports competition. If interested, most of these opportunities are available all over Pinellas County.
WISH LIST
Gift Cards
Prize Give Aways
Uniforms
Sports Equipment
Check out our Polar Plungers
for 2012 & donate today!
Come Check out Our Polar Plunger Team for January 21, 2012
We are starting to raise Money for the big Day! We're freezing for a reason! We've raised about $300...we need to raise more!
Jacob Sare
Diane Sare
Jackson Sare
Devonte Tennell
David Geiger
Teresa Lohr
Mindy Bunce
Eve Krot
Pinellas Dolphins Team
Join Us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Special-Olympics-Pinellas/134409424392
Annual Publix / Proctor & Gamble Campaign
January 5 - 25, 2012
Purchase a torch & get $6 in coupons
Proceeds benefit Special Olympics
Wine Tasting at Mickeys Market
1535 4th St. N, St. Pete:
Thursday, January 19, 6:00-8:00 PM
http://www.newmickeysmarket.com/
CLICK HERE to check out our Polar Plungers for January & donate today! We are freezin' for a reason!
Saddle Up Fundraiser ~ Play Las Vegas Night on Saturday, February 11, 2012.
Hosted at Treasure Island Yacht Club in the main ballroom
Live entertainment 6 to 7 PM & Tables will be open 7 to 10 PM
Silent auction, Prizes
Saddle Up is accepting sponsors for the casino tables & slot machines as well as donations and silent auction items.
(Current prizes donated such as Disney day passes for 4 to any Disney Park).
2nd Annual Poker Run
A Great Success! Raises over $5,200 for Special Olympics Pinellas!
The 2012 3rd Annual Poker Run is scheduled for April 14
2011 Bowl-A-Thon
Raises Over $7,900!
Special Thanks to Ten Pin Lanes for Hosting this Event!
Special Thanks to Knight of Columbus Fr. Lopez Council #5737 for sponsoring this Bowl-A-Thon event.
If you would like to submit a photo for the website, please email it to sopinellas_aol.com
CONTACT US
Special Olympics Pinellas County
David Haines, County Coordinator
John Neel, Area 6 Program Director
2235 NE Coachman Rd.
Clearwater, Florida 33765
Office: 727-669-1220 x2008
Fax: 727-894-3995
Preferred: SOPinellas_aol.com
