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| Special Olympics Virginia Global Messenger Paul Marretti Awarded Bank of America "Local Hero" Honor
Special Olympics Virginia athlete Paul Marretti has done it again. Marretti recently was awarded the "Local Hero" award from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation because of his dedication to serving the Richmond community and his work as an advocate for the disabled at the state and federal levels. The special honor came with a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit of choice; Marretti awarded the grant to Special Olympic Virginia. Congratulations to Marretti on this terrific honor. For more on Paul Marretti and his other successes, click here. |
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| Ready to Watch Some Hoops!? The University of Richmond Women’s Basketball Team invites all Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and friends to Special Olympics Night, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Robins Center. Come out and cheer on the University of Richmond Women’s Basketball Team as they take on the George Washington Colonials. Free tickets, priority seating, T-shirts, food and fun, as well as Special Olympics halftime shootout contest! To attend, please RSPV to Tina Andes or Floyd Miller at 804-346-5544 by Feb. 18. Click here for the event flier. |
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| More than 800 Special Olympics Virginia athletes recently fanned out across Virginia Beach to compete in the 20th Special Olympics Virginia Fall Championships, held Nov. 3-4, 2007. In addition to the athletes, hundreds of people volunteered and cheered from the sidelines as athletes went for the gold in volleyball, soccer, equestrian, golf, roller skating and bowling.
Athletes and families also gathered Saturday evening for a memorable Opening Ceremony and Dance, which featured visits by the Geico Gecko, performances by the ODU Cheerleaders and a local magician, as well as the lighting of the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope." Click here for a several photos from this year's Fall Championships, the second largest of Special Olympics Virgina's six annual state-level competitions. And thank you the Virginia Knights of Columbus and all our event partners, as well as the many event volunteers -- your help and support made this year's Fall Championships a great success!
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Get Ready for 2008 Winter Championships!
With temperatures quickly dropping, it's almost time for the Special Olympics Virginia Winter Championships. More than 400 Special Olympics Virginia athletes will compete in the 2008 Winter Championships, set for Jan. 18-19 in Northern Virginia. Two-person team bowling is on the competition schedule, in addition to figure skating, speed skating and gymnastics. Presented by Booz Allen Hamilton and ExxonMobil, the Winter Championships are the first of six state-level championships in 2008 for Special Olympics Virginia. Come out and cheer on the athletes this January. For more information, call 804-346-5544, ext. 3025. Click here for the registration information and schedule. Click here for the Winter Championships Event Guide. |
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The Special Olympics Experience hits Charlottesville in 2008
Come experience Special Olympics Virginia tennis this January at the inaugural "Special Olympics Experience" invitational tournament set for Jan. 17-19 at the Boar's Head Sports Club in Charlottesville. More than 30 of the most highly skilled tennis players from Special Olympics programs throughout the United States, including two of Virginia's own Special Olympics' star players, Jon Fried and Chris Raupp, will take to the courts during this special event, which marks Special Olympics Virginia's first venture into an invitational with regional and national players. For more information, click here, or call 800-932-GOLD, ext. 3025. |
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 Left to Right) Richmond International Raceway President Doug Fritz, Special Olympics Virginia President Rick Jeffrey, Special Olympics athlete Lonnie New Jr. and NASCAR President Mike Helton. |
In Richmond, "R" stands for racing!
Richmond International Raceway Cares presented a check for $4,500 to Special Olympics Virginia on the eve of the Saturday, Sept. 8, Nextel Cup race in Richmond. Special Olympics Virginia Global Messenger and avid NASCAR fan, Lonnie New, was on hand to assist Special Olympics Virginia President, Rick Jeffrey, at a statewide press conference hosted at the infield media center at Richmond International Raceway. Before presenting the check, NASCAR President Mike Helton, who is also a board member of The NASCAR Foundation, commended Richmond International Raceway for its "rich history of community involvement that's important to [NASCAR] fans." Rick Jeffrey closed the news conference by challenging all present to help Special Olympics Virginia win the race against the pejorative and hurtful "R" word, retard. Funds from partners like Richmond International Raceway help Special Olympics Virginia to spread public awareness about the value and abilities of persons with intellectual disabilities. |
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Sign up for the 2nd Annual Adult Basketball Classic! Join Special Olympics Virginia and U-TURN for the 2nd Annual Adult Basketball Classic. This year’s event offers a Pool Play Bracket format with 2 games minimum first round for ages 30+. The tournament will consist of 16 teams from Pennsylvania, Maryland, DC, Virginia and North Carolina. Each team may have 8-10 players. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Virginia and U-TURN. For more information, click here or call Floyd Miller at 804-346-5544, ext. 3035. |
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This year's 15th Annual Plane Pull and Dulles Day Family Festival brought in more than $125,000 for Special Olympics Virginia! Visit www.planepull.com for results and pictures from the event. |
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Buy A Star! Be A Fan! promotion rewards socially conscious stomachs Boddie-Noell Enterprises Inc., the largest privately held franchisee of Hardee's restaurants, has been a statewide partner of Special Olympics Virginia for more than 20 years. And during the last weeks of October fans of Hardee's ThickburgersTM will be rewarded for becoming a fan of Special Olympics Virginia too! From Oct. 15 to Nov. 4, 181 Hardee's restaurants across Virginia will participate in the "Buy A Star! Be A Fan!" promotion that rewards Hardee's customers with a $1 off any ThickburgerTM coupon for every $1 star icon they purchase in support of Special Olympics Virginia. Visit your local Hardee's store or click here to learn more about Boddie-Noell's commitment to helping out the community. |
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Special Olympics 2007 State Golf Champs a Success! Sunshine and clear skies equaled perfect weather for the Special Olympics Virginia 2007 Golf Championships, held at the First Tee of Chesterfield golf course Saturday, Oct. 20. More than 125 Special Olympics Virginia athletes went for the gold on both 9-hole and 18-hole courses, and in skills competitions. Thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers whose help and support made the event a great success! |
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Special Olympics Skiing Championships January 22 - 23 at Wintergreen Resort More than 100 Virginia athletes with intellectual disabilities will go for the gold in slalom and giant slalom downhill events at the 2007 Special Olympics Virginia Alpine Skiing Championships, taking place on January 22nd - 23rd at Wintergreen Resort.
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Special Olympics Virginia Winter Championships to be showcased in Northern Virginia Over 400 Special Olympics Virginia athletes will be in Northern Virginia on January 12th and 13th to compete in the annual state Winter Championships.
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FALL CHAMPIONSHIPS A GREAT SUCCESS Nearly 900 Special Olympics athletes from Virginia competed in roller skating, soccer, unified bowling, equestrian and volleyball when the City of Virginia Beach hosts the 19th annual Fall Championships on Saturday and Sunday, November 4-5 at various city locations.
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TEAM VIRGINIA BRINGS HOME THE GOLD! Team Virginia won a total of 19 gold medals, 10 silver medals, 17 bronze medals, ten 4th place ribbons, one 6th place ribbons, five 7th place ribbons and one 8th place ribbon in track & field, swimming, basketball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting and tennis.
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Special Olympics Virginia Global Messenger named to the 2006 Virginia Board for People with Disabilities The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities announced that Special Olympics Virginia Global Messenger William Crockett has been selected to the 2006 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). Twenty-five rising high school juniors and seniors with disabilities from across Virginia will attend this year’s Forum, to be held at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, from July 10 through July 14. For more information click here. |
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Summer Games & Family Festival More than 1,400 athletes from throughout Virginia competed in bowling, powerlifting, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field at the 2006 Virginia Summer Games, on June 9 - 10 at the University of Richmond. The Summer Games, which were presented by Hardee's and Comcast, was the largest state-level competition offered by Special Olympics Virginia. The festivities began on Friday, June 9 with the Opening Ceremony at 7:45 p.m., at the University of Richmond’s Robins Center. Highlights of this event included the parade of athletes, lighting of the Olympic Caldron, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg. The Flame of Hope passed from Law Enforcement officers to athletes signifying the official start to the Games. Summer Games competition took place all day Saturday, June 10 and included the Family Festival, featuring a variety of games, entertainment and displays for the athletes and the general public. Athletes gathered Saturday evening at the University of Richmond Robins Center for the Closing Ceremony and Victory Dance. For more information click here. Click here for the Event Guide. Click here for Event Photos. |
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Law Enforcement Announces Over $808,000 Raised for Special Olympics Virginia The 21st Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run began May 24th in front of the Richmond SunTrust Building. The Torch Run Kick-Off Ceremony brought more than 125 law enforcement officers from all over Virginia to Richmond to announce the funds raised during the year. Attorney General of Virginia Robert F. McDonnell and State Torch Run Chair Stafford Sheriff Charles Jett accepted the checks from the 13 state Torch Run regions totally 808,624.
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7th Annual Row for the Gold The event began in 2000 to benefit local and state Special Olympics. Teams raise money before racing down a seven mile stretch of the Shenandoah River (canoes are provided). Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams by Special Olympics athletes. There are also great prizes for the winners and the top teams in pledge donations. All race participants will get an event tee shirt. full story here |
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"A Taste of Inspiration" Special Olympics Virginia Area Nine will be hosting a wine tasting with foods from local restaurants along with a silent auction at Selu Conservancy on Thursday, June 15. “A Taste of Inspiration” Presented by the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine will benefit Special Olympics in the New River Valley and surrounding areas. |
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Special Olympics Virginia Announces Annual Award Winners Special Olympics Virginia presented its Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Outstanding Area Volunteer, Outstanding Chapter Volunteer, Outstanding Family and the recipient of the Virginia H. Foster Winning Spirit Award. These awards were presented at the 2006 Awards Celebration, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside.full story here |
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Special Olympics Virginia Basketball Championship Set to Tip-off in Stafford County Over 800 basketball players from around the Commonwealth will converge on eight Stafford County Schools on March 17th & 18h to participate in skills competitions and the more than 70 games that make up the Special Olympics Virginia State Basketball Championship.full story here Event Guide |
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3,433 Plungers Raise A Record $590,000 For Special Olympics Virginia At 14th Annual Polar Plunge Virginia Beach, Va. - Congratulations, plungers, volunteers and sponsors! 3,433 plungers raised $590,000 for Special Olympics Virginia at the 14th Annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival on Saturday, February 4th, 2006 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.full story here |
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The new year holds much excitement for Special Olympics Virginia as we prepare to send 34 athletes and 14 coaches to Ames, Iowa in July for 2006 USA National Games. This event is a first for Special Olympics with 3,500 athletes attending from all of the 50 states to compete in 12 sports. Ames will be transformed into an Olympic Village to host 2,000 coaches and delegates, 12,000 family members and friends, 8,000 volunteers, and 30,000 spectators. Team Virginia will compete for the gold in track and field, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, powerlifting, bowling, and basketball. Each of these sports was selected at random and all athletes won gold at the 2005 State Games in the event in which they will compete at Nationals. full story here |
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Head Coach Applications available for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Shanghai, People's Republic of China 10-19 October 2007.full story here |
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Movie Underscored the Power of Special Olympics The Ringer, the newest movie by Bobby and Peter Farrelly, hits theaters December 23. The film is a comedy about a young man, played by Johnny Knoxville, who impersonates a person with an intellectual disability so he can compete in and fix a Special Olympics event.full story here |
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14th Annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival Feb. 4 in Virginia Beach Special Olympics Virginia is preparing for a record 3,000 thrill-seekers who will be braving the chilly Atlantic Ocean wearing nothing but swimsuits or costumes at its 14th Annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival on Saturday, February 4th, 2006 between 6th and 8th streets at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.full story here |
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Special Olympics Skiing Championships January 23 - 24 at Wintergreen Resort More than 100 Virginia athletes with intellectual disabilities will go for the gold in slalom and giant slalom downhill events at the 2006 Special Olympics Virginia Alpine Skiing Championships, taking place on January 23rd – 24th at Wintergreen Resort.full story here EVENT GUIDE |
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Special Olympics Virginia Winter Championships to be showcased in Northern Virginia Nearly 400 Special Olympics Virginia athletes will be in Northern Virginia on January 6th and 7th to compete in the annual state Winter Championships. Two-person team bowling is on the schedule of the Winter Championships in addition to figure and speed ice skating and gymnastics. Figure and speed ice skating will be held at the Ashburn Ice House, while Capital Gymnastics in Burke will host the gymnastics championships and AMF Centreville serve as the home to two-person team bowling competition.full story here EVENT GUIDE |
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4th annual Special Olympics Youth Summit On November 18, 2005, Special Olympics Virginia, Richmond Public Schools, 92.1 Radio One, and Special Occasions Photography collaboratively joined forces and hosted the 4th annual Special Olympics Youth Summit at John Marshall High School.full story here |
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Special Olympics Virginia athletes team up with the NBA for basketball clinic Special Olympics Incorporated and the National Basketball Association (NBA) are teammates once again. After taking a 10-year break, the two held a joint clinic for Special Olympics Florida (USA) athletes featuring stars from the NBA, NBA Legends and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) on 12-13 September 2005 in Orlando, Florida.full story here Click here to view Video Clip 1 Click here to view Video Clip 2 |
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Special Olympics Virginia Fall State Championships in Virginia Beach November 5-6 More than 700 Special Olympics athletes from Virginia will compete in roller skating, soccer, unified bowling, equestrian and volleyball when the City of Virginia Beach hosts the 18th annual Fall Championships on Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6 at various city locations.full story here Event Guide |
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Special Olympics golf event ends on a high note with several record scores AMES, Iowa -- Several golf and community leaders, including NIT Honorary Chairperson and LPGA Tour Player Beth Bader, were on hand Monday to present Olympic-style medals to 181 Special Olympics golfers and, in team play, their non-Special Olympics partners from 29 states.full story here |
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Winner of Star Guitar Raffle Ralph Woo of Richmond Virginia full story here |
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Special Olympics Virginia Urban Programs 5th Annual City of Richmond Walk-A-Thon Special Olympics Virginia’s would like to thank all of the volunteers and partners that made the Fifth Annual City of Richmond Walk-A-Thon a great Success!! The Walk-A-Thon was held Saturday, August 20th at Byrd Park Vita-Course. The 1 and 2-mile walk raised money for the Special Olympics Virginia Urban Programs, which benefits the over 5,000 City of Richmond adults and children with intellectual disabilities.The event raised $2,000 for its City of Richmond athletes. Athlete Joe Salter, of Area 25 athlete raised over $300.00 during the event.
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Special Olympics Virginia Seeks National Games Coaches and Assistant Head of Delegation Ames, Iowa will welcome Team Virginia to the first ever Special Olympics USA National Games. In July, 2006, Ames will be transformed into an Olympic Village to host 3,500 athletes, 2,000 coaches and delegates, 12,000 family members and friends, 8,000 volunteers, and 30,000 spectators. Special Olympics Virginia is looking for qualified Coaches and an Assistant Head of Delegation. Applications for all available positions (listed below under download forms) and information regarding the 2006 National Games can be downloaded from the links below. The deadline for submissions of applications has been extended to June 30, 2005.For more information please visit http://www.2006nationalgames.org/ |
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Equity Office Corporate Challenge Tees-Up
More than 130 golfers will gather September 26, 2005 for Metro Washington’s most lavish golf tournament—The Equity Office Corporate Challenge. The Ultra-exclusive event will return to Four Stream Golf Club, combining an excellent culinary experience and extraordinary player gifts, while allowing golfers to defend their company against all comers in the region. The event contributed $40,000 to Special Olympics Virginia last year.
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Over 1,200 athletes went for the gold at the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games
Over 1,200 athletes from around the Commonwealth converged on Richmond on June 10th and 11th to participate in softball, tennis, track & field, swimming, bowling and powerlifting at the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games.
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Torch Runner Major Hutton Begins His Run Across Virginia Once Again
Day 7 (June 10, 2005) |
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GOLF ANYONE?
Winning Spirit Golf Classic
July 18, 2005, Stonehenge Golf & Country Club, Richmond
Held on the course of numerous professional golf events, the Winning Spirit Golf Classic has become a highlight for many Richmond golfers. Limited numbers of foursomes are available at $500 for those teams playing in this preferred drive, two best ball formats while individual slots are $140. Golfers begin play with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. with lunch and beverages served on the course. The day culminates with an awards reception and dinner in the clubhouse. A silent auction will be held consisting of golf, dining, and entertainment packages. Various hole sponsorships are available. For more information please call 804-346-5544 or partner@specialolympicsva.org
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Over 800 athletes enjoy March Madness at Special Olympics Virginia Basketball Championship Over 800 basketball players from around the Commonwealth converged on eight Stafford County Schools and Chancellor High School on March 18th & 19th to participate in skills competitions and more than 70 games that made up the Special Olympics Virginia State Basketball Championship.The Championship began at Colonial Forge High School on Friday, March 18th with the GEICO All-Star Friday Night Opening Ceremony. This event included the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic Torch along with a series of basketball skills contests for the athletes. A dance for the athletes followed in the high school’s cafeteria. The basketball competitions began Saturday at 9 a.m. and continued through mid-afternoon. Click here to see the Basketball Championship photo gallery. |
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Portsmouth’s Alfred Robinson Named SOVA Athlete of the Month Alfred Robinson has been named SOVA’s Athlete of the Month. The Portsmouth athlete has been involved with Special Olympics Virginia for 16 years, competing in a trio of sports.full story here. |
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TEAM VIRGINIA BRINGS HOME THE GOLD FROM
2005 WORLD GAMES |
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2800 Plungers Raise A Record $440,000 For Special Olympics Virginia At 13th Annual Polar Plunge Virginia Beach, Va. - Congratulations, plungers, volunteers and sponsors! 2800 plungers raised more than $440,000 for Special Olympics Virginia at the 13th Annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival on Saturday, February 5th, 2005 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. |
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Over 800 basketball players from around the Commonwealth will converge on seven Stafford County Schools and Chancellor High School on March 18th & 19h to participate in skills competitions and the more than 70 games that make up the Special Olympics Virginia State Basketball Championship.
The Championship begins at Colonial Forge High School on Friday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m. with the GEICO All-Star Friday Night Opening Ceremony. This event includes the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic Torch along with a series of basketball skills contests for the athletes. A dance for the athletes will follow in the high school’s cafeteria. full story here. |
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Reason 2 Run 
Consider supporting Special Olympics Virginia by participating in the Reason 2 Run program. Funds raised by you will go directly to Special Olympics Virginia, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of persons with mental disabilities through sports.How the Special Olympics Virginia "Reason 2 Run" Pledge Program works First, make sure you have completed the official Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon race entry form. Next, sign up for the Special Olympics Virginia "Reason 2 Run" Pledge Program to help over 14,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. You can sign up as an individual with all funds used to manage and organize over 2,500 local and regional competitions held each year. Individuals participating in the program are encouraged to raise money through pledges from relatives, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Prizes will be awarded to "Reason 2 Run" participants based on attaining certain funding levels, and will be distributed on race day. For more information click here |
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Special Olympics Virginia Skifest March 6-7 at Wintergreen Resort Special Olympics Virginia and Wintergreen Resort have partnered to conduct a Winter Skifest this weekend. Over 100 SOVA athletes will participate in the Skifest which will take place March 6-7 and will be composed of two days of training and racing.More than 100 Virginia athletes with intellectual disabilities will participate in the two day event which will include training sections with ski instructors and a number of Wintergreen Resort volunteers. Ski training for beginner, intermediate and advanced ability levels is from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Sunday and 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Monday. full story here. |
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Burke’s Jill Arnot Named SOVA December Athlete of the Month Jill Arnot has been named SOVA’s Athlete of the Month for December. The Burke athlete has been involved with Special Olympics Virginia for almost two decades, competing in four different sports.full story here. |
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Special Olympics Virginia Winter Championships to be showcased in Northern Virginia Nearly 300 Special Olympics Virginia athletes will be in Northern Virginia on January 21st & 22nd to compete in the annual state Winter Championships. For the third year, two-person team bowling is on the schedule of the Winter Championships in addition to figure and speed ice skating and gymnastics. Figure and speed ice skating will be held at the Ashburn Ice House, while Capital Gymnastics in Burke will host the gymnastics championships and AMF Centreville serve as the home to two-person team bowling competition.full story here. |
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Annual Christmas Fundraising Event Special Olympics Virginia is happy to invite you to an Annual Christmas Fundraising Event. The Special Olympics Virginia Christmas tree will be decorated for display and located in the lobby area of the Marriott Hotel, located at 500 East Broad Street, Richmond Virginia. We will be in competition with a host of local non-profit organizations for the best tree.full story here. |
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2004 International Torch Run Conference Comes to Virginia More than 800 law enforcement officers representing numerous international countries, descended upon Arlington, on November 18, for the 2004 International Torch Run Conference. The International Torch Run Conference is an annual gathering of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics staff members.full story here. |
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| SOVA ALPINE SKIING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT WINTERGREEN RESORT POSTPONED TO AN UNDETERMINED DATE
The 2005 Special Olympics Virginia Alpine Skiing Championships scheduled for January 10-11 at Wintergreen Resort has been postponed to an undetermined date due to the unseasonable warm temperatures. Any questions concerning the Alpine Skiing Championships, should be directed to the Special Olympics Virginia office by calling 1-800-932-4653.
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Special Olympics Skiing Championships full story here. |
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Special Olympics Virginia Fall State Championships in Virginia Beach November 6-7 Nearly 800 Special Olympics athletes from Virginia will compete in roller skating, golf, soccer, bowling, equestrian and volleyball when the City of Virginia Beach hosts the 17th annual Fall Championships on Saturday and Sunday, November 6-7 at various city locations.The Fall Championships are the second largest of six state-level competitions Special Olympics Virginia holds each year. Athletes of all ages and ability levels will go for the gold as they compete against their peers in these favorite fall sports. full story here. |
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DULLES DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL RAISED 90,000 FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA A huge THANK YOU to all who braved the weather and joined us at the 2004 Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull on September 18th! We appreciate the perseverance of all the teams, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and attendees who helped make the 12th annual event a success, and we hope you had a great time. (for full story click here) Although the early rain and unrelenting wind added to the challenge the teams faced in pulling a 150,000 pound airplane, it certainly didn't dampen the spirits of those who participated. Thousands came out to cheer on the more than 40 teams who played tug-of-war with the FedEx jet, and the fun didn't end there. Attendees enjoyed browsing through the exhibit booths of sponsors and various vendors, and the kids had fun with rides and games in the Kid's Zone. A special thanks to the folks at Amusement Rentals by J&J for the last minute adjustment, heading back to the shop during event set-up to switch the inflatable slides and moonbounces for fun rides that wouldn't blow away! The Plane Pull competition was fierce, and enthusiastic! And, the winners are... Click here to view all Plane Pull team results. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2004 Walk-A-Thon a Big Success! Special Olympics Virginia’s Fourth Annual City of Richmond Walk-A-Thon was held at the Byrd Park Vita on August 7 2004. The 1 and 2-mile walk raised over $3000.00 for the Special Olympics Virginia Urban Programs, which benefits the over 5,000 City of Richmond adults and children with mental disabilities. Joe Salter raised $120.00; the most by an athlete.
With over 200 athletes and walkers, Special Olympics Virginia teamed up with American Family Fitness Centers, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and Richmond Residential Services.
Representatives from the Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Richmond Behavior Health Authority, and Richmond Residential Services were also in attendance and set up booths disseminating information, gave out free gifts & prizes, while promoting healthy lifestyles.
If you would like more information on the Special Olympics Virginia Urban Programs contact Floyd Miller at 804-346-5544 or email him at fmiller@specialolympicsva.org Winner Drawn for Special Olympics Virginia and Innsbrook After Hours Star Guitar Raffle James Ackiss, of Richmond, held the lucky Special Olympics Virginia “Star Guitar” winning raffle ticket. The winning ticket was drawn at the Innsbrook AfterHours final concert featuring Little Feat on September 29th. SOVA’s Marretti part of SOI Sargent Shriver Celebration You can read the full story here.
After Run Across Virginia, Torch Runner Major Hutton Arrives for Summer Games Opening Ceremony You can read the full story here.
Virginia Beach's Melissa Cheatwood Named SOVA May Athlete of the Month You can read the full story here.
Special Olympics Virginia Needing Volunteers for Summer Games Over 2,000 volunteers are needed to run The Summer Games, which is the largest Special Olympics state-level competition offered in Virginia. Excitement begins on Friday night, June 11, with the Opening Ceremony at the University of Richmond’s Robins Center. The evening’s event will include the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic Caldron. Competitions will begin Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday, before the closing ceremonies at 8:00 in the Robins Center.
Virginia Beach’s Corprew SOVA’s April Athlete of the Month You can read the full story here.
SOVA/VMI Games set for April 3rd As Cadets Take Up Community Projects You can read the full story here.
Over 600 athletes enjoy March Madness at Special Olympics Virginia Basketball Championship Over 600 basketball players from around the Commonwealth converged on seven Stafford County Schools and Chancellor High School on March 19th & 20th to participate in skills competitions and more than 70 games that made up the Special Olympics Virginia State Basketball Championship.
The Championship began at Colonial Forge High School on Friday, March 19th with the GEICO All-Star Friday Night Opening Ceremony. This event included the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic Torch along with a series of basketball skills contests for the athletes. A dance for the athletes followed in the high school’s cafeteria. GEICO All-Star Friday Night Opening Ceremony guests included Today Show superstar competition winner Anthony Campbell, who out of 6, 000 audition tapes made the final cut last fall to win NBC’s Today Show Superstar singing contest.
The basketball competitions began Saturday at 9 a.m. and continued through mid-afternoon.
Click here to see the Basketball Championship photo gallery. Over 600 basketball players from around the Commonwealth will converge on seven Stafford County Schools and Chancellor High School on March 19th & 20th to participate in skills competitions and the more than 70 games that make up the Special Olympics Virginia State Basketball Championship.
You can read the full story here. MARCH SERVES AS MENTAL RETARDATION MONTH
March is Mental Retardation Awareness
Month. Unaware to many, there are approximately 170 million people
with intellectual disabilities worldwide, and more than 7 million
in the United States, many in our own community. Click here for the Winter
Championships Fan Guide To print
the Winter Fan Two-Person
Team Bowling New Addition to Championships Nearly 300 Special Olympics Virginia
athletes will be in Northern Virginia on January 23rd & 24th
to compete in the annual state Winter Championships. For the second
year, two-person team bowling is on the schedule of the Winter Championships
in addition to figure and speed ice skating and gymnastics. Figure
and speed ice skating will be held at the Ashburn Ice House, while
Capital Gymnastics in Burke will host the gymnastics championships
and Bowl America Manassas serve as the home to two-person team bowling
competition. The opening ceremony for two person
team bowling will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the figure skating
finals at 9:15 a.m. and the speed skating finals at 11:00 am. Awards
for both competitions will follow the speed skating events. The gymnastics opening ceremony
will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by competition that will include
numerous gymnastic events including vaulting, uneven bars, balance
beam and floor exercise. Men’s events will be conducted in
the floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vaulting, parallel bars
and horizontal bars. Presented by Booz Allen Hamilton,
the Winter Championships are the second of five championships in
2004 for Special Olympics Virginia that provides year-round sports
training and athletic competition for over 14,000 athletes with
mental disabilities in the Commonwealth. The organization receives
no federal funding and relies on private and corporate support as
well as the efforts of nearly 20,000 volunteers. The public is invited
to come out and attend these events free of charge. Winter Championships
additional sponsors include Cox Communications, The Journal Newspapers
and ExxonMobile. For more information please call 1-800-932-GOLD (The following article appeared
in the December 8, 2004 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The article was written by RTD staff writer Lea Setegn) Dec 8, 2003
As a member of Boy Scout Troop
521, Christopher "Kit" Hammar is just one of the guys. The 18-year-old Atlee High School
(Mechanicsville) student loves camping, hiking and sports of all
kinds. He has been tapped for the Order of the Arrow, a select group
within the Boy Scouts, and he has earned the rank of Eagle Scout
- the Boy Scouts' highest honor. Ashley
Buffington Ashley Buffington has been named
SOVA's December Athlete of the Month. Ashley comes to us with over
five years of experience as a Special Olympics athlete, while competing
in numerous sports including volleyball, basketball and track &
field. Read
more about Ashley here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Richmond
