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Welcome to our super-sized, jam-packed May, 2009 Edition!

You (will) Want to be Andy Miyares!

Here's why...in the span of one month, he swam a one-mile, open water race in Biscayne Bay with Olympian Gary Hall (finishing third in his age group overall, by the way), he was interviewed in English and Spanish by Radio Disney, he received a U.S. Master's Swimming "Top 10" award for being ranked ninth in the nation for his time in the mile (the only swimmer with intellectual disability to ever be ranked), he broke three more World records, and oh yeah, he swam with Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff.

How can you not keep reading?!

The 37th annual State Summer Games were held May 15-16 at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex.

Highlights include:

• Opening Ceremony: entertainment, very special guests, spectacle, emotion and inspiration
• The culmination of the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run
• Volunteers and sponsors make the Games great!
• World-class sprinters put on show at track and field venue
• Healthy Athletes program sets new record!
• Limited edition Special Olympics Florida pin debuted
• Heated competition
• Closing Ceremony and Victory Dance!
 

The weekend was jam-packed with excitement, fun, great competition and a couple firsts,
so let's get started!

CIRQUE DREAMS and Special Olympics Miami-Dade County teamed up to give athletes Martin Lozano, 16 and Rudy Rubio Flores, 14 the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of performing feature roles with the original Broadway cast of CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (Miami) on Wednesday, May 13.

Martin and Rudy auditioned and were selected by Neil Goldberg, creator and director of CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle Fantasy.

Read about "the big night" and see photos!

Young Athletes Program Expands to Four New Counties in May!

Our brand new Young Athletes Program is growing almost as quickly as its participants!

After debuting in Orange County in April, the Young Athletes Program has expanded to Palm Beach, Osceola, Hillsborough and Miami-Dade counties and Flagler county is teed up for a June program!

Check out Palm Beach County's inaugural Culminating Day - story and pics!

L-R: Gene Stokes, SOFL Board Chair Chris King, SOFL President Monty Castevens, at 2009 Summer Games Opening Ceremony where Major Stokes presided over his last Torch Run Final Leg.

It is with the deepest gratitude that we thank, salute and recognize the volunteerism of Major Gene Stokes (retired, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office), who has retired as the statewide Director of  the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

Gene served in this volunteer role since 1994, when he took over the position from Hillsborough Sheriff Cal Henderson. Gene's involvement began in 1991 when he was a member of the Final Leg Team at the World Summer Games in Minnesota. Since that time, Gene's time, heart and expertise have been dedicated to the athletes of Special Olympics Florida and the men and women of law enforcement who support the Torch Run.  

Gene's guidance, insights and commitment to creating a strong partnership between Special Olympics and the law enforcement community of Florida, have helped make Florida's annual LETR one of the most successful in the world.

In recognition of his efforts, Gene was inducted into the Special Olympics Florida Hall of Fame in 2003. Gene will continue to volunteer with the LETR in the future.

Thank you Gene for your many years of leadership, compassion and advocacy on behalf of our athletes!

Dine Out for Special Olympics
This June!

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar (Orlando) has teamed up once again with Special Olympics Florida for a fundraising initiative called "Month of Giving."

During the month of June (2009), Cuba Libre will generously donate 20% of the food portion of dinner checks to Special Olympics Florida. 

To join in the fundraising effort, simply print out this flier and take it with you to Cuba Libre when you dine there anytime throughout June (must present flier in order for donation to be made).

Plus, as an added bonus, to thank you for giving back, Special Olympics fans who dine during Month of Giving will receive a $20 Cuba Libre gift certificate valid for a future visit!

So share this information and the flier with anyone who loves sensational Cuban food, fantastic service, great ambiance and fun (that should cover just about everybody, right?)!

Disclaimers: Dinner reservations recommended. Fliers may not be distributed in Cuba Libre or on Pointe Orlando property.  Beverages, tax and gratuity not included.  Not valid with any other discounts or special offers. Valid for parties of up to 15 guests.

You can also get all this info and the flier on our website!

TD Bank: Our Newest Fans!

TD Bank is inviting Floridians to "Be a fan" of Special Olympics, June 1 - July 15!

As part of a national partnership, TD Bank stores (currently in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties) are asking their customers to help them raise funds for Special Olympics through a variety of unique and fun ways.

Here are just a few ways you can team up with TD Bank to support South Florida's Special Olympics athletes:

• For a $5 donation,  you can sport a cool "Be a fan" bracelet - just pick one up at any TD Bank location!
• Is all that loose change slowing you down? Take it to TD Bank, have it converted to bills and choose to donate a portion (or maybe all?) of your conversion to Special Olympics.
• Visit www.tdbank.com/beafan starting June 1 to make an on-line donation. Man, that's easy!
• Make an in-store donation next time you're in.
• Take part in one of their special in-store, fun events that will benefit Special Olympics. Could be a car wash, a dunk tank, a bake sale, a concert, who knows what they'll come up with?! And our athletes will be attending many of these events, so you'll get to meet a hometown hero! A running list of events will be posted on our website beginning in early June at www.specialolympicsflorida.org/tdbank
• Have a commercial account with TD Bank? Talk to your account representative about how you can make a donation.

So find your nearest TD Bank, stop by, and "Be a fan" of Special Olympics!

Here Fishy, Fishy....

One of the perks of living in Florida is being surrounded by water, and now you can support Special Olympics while pursuing one of the world's most exhilarating challenges: deep-sea sport fishing!

The United States Kingfish Organization has joined forces with us and is hosting  the Xtreme Kingfish Tournament Series (XKTS), with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Florida.

The offshore fishing tournaments target the King Mackerel, and the vision of XKTS is to build a unique tournament series that not only gives back, but treats the participants to dining and entertainment as part of their tournament experience.

The 2009-2010 Series kicks off July 30 - August 2 in St. Augustine, followed promptly by another tournament in Sebastian, August 6-9 and then Port Canaveral, September 25-27. In total, 20 tournaments are already in the works for the 2009/2010 tournament season!

XKTS is a registered non-profit organization which adds a whole new dimension to offshore tournament fishing by entry fees (all or portion, consult your tax specialist) being tax deductible to participants. 

Spots are limited and are filling up fast, so for rules, info, locations, registration and everything else you need to know, visit the Xtreme Kingfish Tournament Series website now!

Seventy-five bowling lanes are jammed with spectators and families at the December 2008 Special Olympics state bowling competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eleven-year-old Special Olympics athlete Sam Lenz, who has Down syndrome, picks up his bowling ball, aims carefully and throws a strike.

His arms raised in victory, he high-fives his wildly cheering teammates. After the competition, Sam works his way through an adoring crowd of family and friends and stops to hug each and every one.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver's portrait made by Sam's father, Milwaukee artist David Lenz, went on view at the National Portrait Gallery this month. It represents the first time the museum has commissioned a portrait of an individual who has not served as either a President or a First Lady. The portrait's prominent location, adjacent to the Smithsonian's much-loved Hall of Presidents, pays homage not only to Mrs. Shriver, but to people like Sam Lenz.

"Mrs. Shriver has made the world a better place for Sam, and by celebrating her life," says David Lenz, "I'm shining a spotlight on the remarkable work she's done."

Read full article at Smithsonian.com...

The Driving Force Behind Special Olympics?
You! We Need Your Help!

 
Show your support of Special Olympics Florida everywhere you go by purchasing our specialty license tag the next time you renew your plate! Remember: your license plate expires on your birthday, not at the end of your birthday month.

Ordering a plate is easy and can be done when you renew your registration at your local tax collector's office. The Special Olympics Florida tag costs a set fee ($15) annually above the standard Florida tag.

There are many legislative rumblings that could endanger our plate. Ours was one of the very first specialty plates in Florida, and to help make sure our plate will continue to be an option for Florida drivers, it is critical that you, our "fans," either continue to renew your existing Special Olympics plate or purchase one, if you don't have one yet!

And the best part is: unlike most specialty plates, when you purchase our plate, your donation benefits the local Special Olympics county program where you bought your plate!

Also, find out how you can give a truly "moving" gift...

Upcoming Events and Interesting Stuff

Follow us on Twitter at "soflinfo"! Twitter's a great way to keep up with cool news, facts and fun info about Special Olympics Florida and it's completely free! Don't have a Twitter account yet? Sign up today, search "soflinfo" or "Special Olympics FL" and start following us!

Dakota's Pride Offer: the award-winning documentary, Dakota's Pride, is now available on DVD to Special Olympics fans at 50% off the regular price! This heartwarming story of a father's search for answers about his son's journey with Down syndrome provides an upbeat look at living with and loving an individual with an intellectual disability.

For credit card orders or more information, visit www.theglp.org/specialolympics.htm