december 2015 - special olympics south dakota 2015 inside this issue page 2 ... maynard konechne -...

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA

December 2015

Inside This Issue

Page 2

Welcome & Farewell to

the Board

Pg 3-5

State Softball

State Traditional

Bowling

State Unified Bowling

Pg 6

Development & Other

Things

Pg 7 & 8

SOSD Award Winners

Pg 9-11

Polar Plunge

Pigskin Madness

Convoy

Tip-A-Cop

Strikes

Bash

Heroes

Pg 12

Healthy Athletes

Pg 13

Unify Center

Scarf Project

Coaches Education

Pg 14

Donors

Pg 15

Schedule of Events

STWTETW

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH DAKOTA 2

See You Later, Dear Friend This past fall the following letter was sent to the

office:

Dear Darryl and Staff,

Enclosed please find my volunteer application for

the remainder of the year.

At the end of my board term in December, I will be

retiring from Special Olympics. I have cherished

every minute over the course of my 45 years I have

spent with the greatest sports program in the

world, but I have decided my time and efforts now

need to be directed to my grandchildren and their

endeavors.

Special Olympics and everyone in this program

have offered me a family away from home; and

these friendships will never be forgotten.

Being a person in this program from the beginning

offered me the opportunity to watch the progress

and advancement of a once a year event, to a year

round sports program. It took a lot of dedicated

people to do this and I am proud to have been a

part of these advancements.

Sincerely Yours,

Ronald E. Stewart

Board of Directors

Thank You For Your Service SOSD will be saying farewell to the following

Board Members:

L to R Thomas Brude (Sioux Falls), Myles Ken-

nedy (Spearfish), Ron Stewart (Rapid City) and

Abby O’Hara (Sioux Falls). Thank you for your

service and we greatly appreciate your contri-

butions to SOSD over the years.

Welcome to the Board! We are most grateful for the commitment

these outstanding individuals have made to

Special Olympics South Dakota!

Phillip Collins (Mitchell)

Rich Mulholland (Spearfish)

Contact Us 800 E. I-90 Lane

Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1.800.585.2114 or 1.605.331.4117

Fax: 1.605.331.4328 www.sosd.org

State Staff Darryl Nordquist President/CEO

Melanie Frosch Sports Director

Johna Thum Special Events Director

Todd Bradwisch Torch Run Liaison

Katie O’Brien Volunteer Coordinator

Twila Hansen Office Manager

John McHale Sports Assistant

Kelsey Messerschmidt Assistant Torch Run Liaison

Chad VanderPoel Assistant Sports Director

Board of Directors Myles Kennedy - Spearfish (Chair)

Dr. Mark Harlow - Rapid City (V Chair)

Abby O’Hara - Sioux Falls (Sec)

Bob Arnold - Sioux Falls (Treas)

Wendy Addington - Spearfish

Thomas Brude - Sioux Falls

Bill Clucas - Rapid City

Sam Engebretson - Sioux Falls

Bo Ivers - Brookings

Maynard Konechne - Kimball

Nick Kortan - Sioux Falls

Jack Lynass - Rapid City

Tim McCarthy - Coleman

Jeff Miller - Brookings

Duane Popham - Watertown

Carl Rapp - Sioux Falls

Dawn Ruhlman - Brookings

Steve Schacht - Rapid City

Ron Stewart - Rapid City

Julie Williams - Gettysburg

TORCH Editor Johna Thum - Special Events Director

Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Authorized and Accredited

by Special Olympics International for the Benefit of Citizens with

Intellectual Disabilities

Just In Time For Winter

SOSD was fortunate to receive 35 knit-

ted winter hats which were distributed

to athletes during our State Unified

Bowling Tournament.

Constructed by inmates, these items

were donated to approximately 15 non

-profits in the Sioux Falls area.

Thank you inmates and

staff for your generous gift!

Ron has been a part of SOSD from

almost day one. We would not be

where we are today without his hard

work and tutelage. We will miss see-

ing you at events, your smile and the

love you have so selflessly given all

of us. We will miss you. So let’s not

say goodbye right now. We aren’t

ready for that. Let’s leave it at, “See

you later, dear friend.”

Visit us www.sosd.


2015 Results

1st

2nd 3rd 4th

Slow Pitch A Mitchell Watertown 01 Rapid City Storm Blizzard Sioux Falls Explosion

1st

2nd 3rd 4th

Slow Pitch B Spearfish Peaks A Sioux Falls Rockets Sioux Falls Poppers Brookings

1st

2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Slow Pitch C Sioux Falls Tanks Yankton Wild Things Sturgis Atlas Watertown 02 Spearfish Peaks B

1st

2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Tee Ball D Rapid City Lightning Mitchell Brookings All Star Yankton Smurfs Sioux Falls Sparklers

1st

2nd 3rd 4th

Unified E Sioux Falls Parachutes Brandon Sprinters Yankton Grinders Rapid City Thunder

1st

2nd 3rd 4th

Unified F Mitchell Sioux Falls Pyro Bombs Rapid City Flame Black Rapid City Flame Orange

Unified G1 Unified G2

1st 2nd

Rapid City Flame Jr. Sioux Falls Whistlers

1st Sturgis Twisters

Thank You Organizing Committee

Shiloh Day Brett Distel Travis Eastman

Cathy Grubb Myles Kennedy Kristy Lintz

Domico Rodriguez Charlie Unterbrunner

First Interstate Bank Black Hills Occupational

Medicine

Myles & Jeanette Kennedy

STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

...May someone be as kind to you as you have been to us.

O ur 33rd State Softball Tour-

nament was held in Rapid

City on September 19 and

20, 2015. Athletes competed in

slow pitch, T-ball , and Unified Soft-

ball.

On the Friday preceding the Soft-

ball Tournament, a number of ath-

letes and unified partners braved

wet and cold conditions to compete

in a Bocce Tournament. Thank you

to Brian Jacobsen for leading our

recent Bocce demonstrations.

Next year Bocce will be an official

state sport, and in conjunction with

softball this event will be known as

the Fall Classic.


STATE TRADITIONAL BOWLING

The Koehler Organization


Tournament Hosts Village Bowl

Donna, Al & Staff

Organizing Committee

Kim Benning Amy Buechler Cate Diede

Tevan Fischbach

Peggy Heermann Missy Hill

Al Waltman Michele Zahn

Bowling Kim Benning - Announcer Amy Buechler - Medical

Facilities Wright & Sudlow - Barriers

Saturday Dance Aberdeen ABATE - Security

Celebration Entertainment (Kory Erickson) Academy Trophy - Spirit Award

Golden Eagles Parents

Volunteer Hospitality Subway - Kessler’s Inc. Avera St. Luke’s Hospital

Volunteer Groups Central High School - SDSBVI NSU - Simmons Middle School

NVC - Wells Fargo Auto Finance

Aberdeen Chrysler Center

Aman Foundation

Avis Rent-A-Car

Brick’s TV & Appliance Repair

CorTrust Bank

Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Erickson & Associates, LLC

Helms & Associates

House of Glass, Inc.

Hub Music & Vending

Insurance Plus

Lagers Inn

Meyers Auto Inc.

Northern Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Padgett Auto Sales

Qdoba

Ramkota

Rohly’s Bar

Swanson Electric

US Bank

T he Village Bowl in Aberdeen was

again the host site for our 28th

annual State Traditional Bowling

Tournament. This has always been one of

our largest events and this year was no

exception, as 561 athletes competed in at

least one event (singles, doubles and

team) on November 6 - 8, 2015.

Three weeks before the tournament our

special events venue closed. Unfortu-

nately we lost our Opening Ceremony,

but thanks to David Eckert and his staff at

the Aberdeen Civic Arena we were able to

find a new (and some would say im-

proved) home for our banquet, dance and

awards ceremony.

Another highlight of this event was the

awarding of the 12th Annual Gert Lutz

Memorial Spirit and Sportsmanship win-

ner. For many years, Gert Lutz was an

unheralded, behind the scenes supporter

of the State Special Olympics Bowling

Tournament. Gert spearheaded numer-

ous fundraising efforts and volunteered

countless hours supervising the lanes.

With Gert’s passing in the spring of 2004,

Special Olympics

South Dakota

lost a true friend.

Heads of Delega-

tions nominated

one athlete from

their team who

consistently

demonstrates

courtesy, sports-

manship and love

for the sport of

bowling.

Congratulations

to Madison Area

athlete Mack

Meier (right), our 2015 award winner!


STATE UNIFIED BOWLING

O ur 11th annual State

Unified Bowling Tourna-

ment was contested

last month at the Eastway Bowl

in Sioux Falls. Athletes and Uni-

fied Partners hit the lanes on

November 21st for doubles and

the 22nd for team competition.

The 336 participants this year

was an 11% increase over last

years attendance. This event

has grown steadily since it’s

inception.

A huge thank you to Abbie

Benz, Sadie Benz, Lisa Claus,

Missy Hill, Peggy Heerman and

the staff at Eastway Bowl for

being amazing volunteers and

host.

The Larry Ayres Family

Joe Sztapka REGION

Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

Gregg & Jennifer Olson in honor of Noah Pierce

Dave Reznicek & Family

Jered & Callie Schock



The Modern Woodmen of America, in

partnership with the Sioux Falls

Stampede, will be hosting their annu-

al Matching Funds Project this spring.

We are once again honored to be the

recipient of these proceeds.

Modern Woodmen Night

Please join us for an excit-ing night filled with great hockey, athlete participa-tion and amazing financial

support for SOSD!

Modern Woodmen Night

February 6, 2016

Sioux Falls athlete Micah Kallhoff Showing his appreciation for the Stampede and Modern Woodmen

Estate Planning

A re you aware of the many

ways you can give the joy

and pride of Special Olym-

pics even when you are gone? Leave

your legacy and consider Special

Olympics in your estate planning.

Contact Darryl Nordquist, President/CEO for more infor-

mation.

“I would love to help Special Olympics

athletes for many years to come.”

Going The Extra Mile

October 19th, 2015 was Special Olympics

South Dakota day at Granite City (Sioux

Falls). For the patrons who chose to par-

ticipate, 10% of their tab was gifted to

SOSD, with a total donation of $570.

Thank you, Granite City!

Lazerderm Fundraiser LazaDerm Skincare Centre

of Sioux Falls held a promo-

tion this past July to benefit

The Bash to the Colonies

Fundraiser for Special Olym-

pics. An impressive $4,303

was donated.

Thank you, Lazerderm!

DEVELOPMENT & OTHER THINGS

The World Winter

Games are Coming to

Austria!

March 14 - 25, 2017

Please join us for the festivities OR to

volunteer on our behalf!

It is not a typo! The 2016

State Basketball Tournament

will be held on a Saturday and

Sunday (March 12 & 13)

The Northeast Area Bowling Tourna-ment will become a stand alone event in 2016. Watertown will be our host city. The specific date will be announced at a later date.


V olunteers do everything there is to do in Special Olympics and more. They

are fund-raisers, cheerleaders, administra-tors, food handlers, chauffeurs, chaperones, trainers, coaches, publicists, policy makers, trash collectors, friends, comrades and sup-porters of Special Olympics.

They serve without salary, without recogni-tion, without honors or awards. Special Olympics could not do without them - their devotion, their work and their love.

Each year it is the pleasure of Special Olympics South Dakota to recognize our Outstanding Award Winners. These individuals and groups

contribute their time, talents and resources in

support of SOSD. They are the driving force behind our success.

So “thank you” volunteer! You represent the highest values of the human spirit. You get your thanks, not in money or words or praise, but through what you do for Special Olympics.

Lillie has been in charge of the Rap-

id City Flame aquatics program for

many years. She has a clear under-

standing of stroke development,

training and the unique needs of

Special Olympics athletes.

It is very obvious her athlete’s

spend many hours in the pool train-

ing for their event. There is no con-

fusion or apprehension during com-

petition. This is certainly evidence

of proper training. Lillie challenges

her athletes to compete at the high-

est level possible. Many do more

difficult strokes and longer events.

Because of her positive attitude and

coaching competence she gets the

most out of everyone on her team.

Alden not only assists his mother

with coaching Flame athletes, but

he graciously volunteers to assist

other athletes during competitions

when in the pool. Alden and Lillie

are a great team and most deserv-

ing of this honor.

NOMINEES:

Leslie Antonsen, Sturgis

Michela Meredith, Sturgis

Ron Stewart Award Coach of the Year - Lillie & Alden Pendleton, Rapid City

Not only is Mallory an amazing

Special Olympics athlete, she is a

great person. She participates in

four sports: bowling, athletics,

race walking and basketball. Mal-

lory is always positive and has be-

come a team leader. She pushes

herself to do her best, and when

not competing she is cheering on

her teammates.

Mallory is also a tremendous role

model for other athletes. She

serves on the state wide Athlete

Input Council where she helps

guide SOSD from an athlete’s per-

spective. Special Olympics is a

priority for her and she prides her-

self in helping others. Mallory, we

are proud of you and everything

you stand for… hard work, deter-

mination and the ability to have

fun even when it’s raining.

Congratulations, Mallory.

NOMINEES:

Megan Mills, Rapid City Flame

Noah Pierce, Sioux Falls Fire-

works

Daniel Hedstrom, Spearfish

Peaks

Athlete of the Year - Mallory Bingham, Aberdeen

The following

was written by

Sasha Rosen-

lund.

Brian has been

my son’s Special

Olympics coach

for several years.

He has also been

a unified coach

for two of my

daughters. Hav-

ing a son who has Fragile X has had a huge

impact on our family. Having a coach who is

personable and willing to get the whole fami-

ly involved is incredible. He has had a huge

impact on all of our lives. When Dominick

started Special Olympics, he didn’t want us to

come and watch. He would throw his medals

and ribbons in the garbage before he came in

the house. Now he has self confidence and

wants his entire family involved in what he is

doing. My other kids in school have also seen

this incredible change. They come home with

reports about how Dominick and the other

Special Olympics athletes are popular in

school. How every student stops and says

“hi” to them. Dominick loves school and has

many friends from the regular classrooms. I

will be sad to see him graduate because of

the extraordinary experience that he has

been given.

We love to attend Special Olympics events

and cheer for all the athletes. I have wit-

nessed at these events athletes from other

teams searching out Brian to say “hi” because

he has coached them in the past and has posi-

tively affected their lives. Brian is a fantastic

coach, mentor, and example to all of us. He

has been a positive force in the community

and we are very thankful to have a man like

him in charge of not only our son’s Special

Olympics experience, but also our daughters

experience in unified sports. I truly feel Brian

deserves this honor.

NOMINEES:

Jody & Cathy Grubb, Belle Fourche

Mike Hilbrands, Sioux Falls

Judy Miller, Beresford

Bob Weisbeck, Brookings

Don Baker Award - Brian Jacobsen, Lake Norden

2015 AWARD WINNERS


Misty has been involved with the Sioux Falls Fireworks for 19 years. In

the early years, she coached softball, volleyball, track and bowling.

She continues to assist with sport when needed. According to the

Fireworks sports director, “Misty is a volunteer that I can count on at a

moments notice.” More recently, Misty’s talents have been utilized in

the areas of bookkeeping, money management, fundraising and ath-

lete recruitment.

As stated in her nomination,

“Misty’s work has without

question made the Fireworks

a better delegation, thus making the

experience for our athletes the best it

can be. She is always giving of her time,

even when she really doesn’t have it to

give. Regardless of her role with the

Fireworks, her goals are always the

same… to serve our athletes.”

NOMINEES:

Michelle Carter, Sioux Falls

Gage McSpadden, Spearfish

Phyllis Pates, Volga

Lyle Farrand Award Volunteer of the Year - Misty Farabee, Sioux Falls

Please show your love for Special Olympics by nominating the de-

serving people in your life for a 2016 SOSD Outstanding Award!

Nomination forms are due in the SOSD office by May 23, 2016.

Look for a nomination form at your Area and State Games. Forms

can also be found on our homepage at www.sosd.org.

Categories include:

Athlete Of The Year Award

Don Baker Award (the highest honor presented by SOSD)

Family Of The Year

Outstanding Coach (Ron Stewart Award)

Volunteer Of The Year (Lyle Farrand Award)

Champion Award (DJ Mertens Award)

The Southeast Area has been blessed with the dedication of a family

that has been actively volunteer-

ing since 2007.

The Mork’s boast a volunteer

base of 36 strong and are com-

prised of 7 families plus momma

Bev: Sue and Dave Houska, Mary

& Kurt Lunstra, Gary & Melissa

Mork, Kenny & Dianne Mork, Tom

Mork, Michelle & Scott Solberg

and Barb Sandoval, Bo Albers &

children.

Many of these folks have taken on key leadership roles at SE Area

events, including aquatics, athletics,

softball and bowling events. Collec-

tively, they have volunteers 1,500

hours over the past 9 years.

Congratulations to the Family Mork!

NOMINEES:

Alickson Family, Belle Fourche

Antonsen Family, Sturgis

Mohamed Family, Brookings

Young Family, Belle Fourche

Family Of The Year - The Mork Family, Greater Sioux Falls Area

The Cobbler to Cobblers are the main volunteer

base in the Black Hills Area. Under the guidance of

Tim McGowan, we can count on 30-70 Cobblers to

assist with area bowling, basketball and spring

games. The dedication and reliability of these stu-

dents is second to none. This mentoring group pro-

vides enthusiasm, energy and an opportunity to

bridge the gap to create a more unified attitude

between our athletes and their peers. A number of

these students have attested to the profound im-

pact these volunteer experiences have had on their

own lives. These are our future parents, profession-

als and leaders… and we are in good hands.

NOMINEES:

Daktronics - Brookings

Edward Jones Financial - Rapid City

Valero Renewables - Aurora

D. J. Mertens Award “Champion” of the Year - Rapid City Central Cobbler 2 Cobbler

This past summer we lost Gage McSpadden in a tragic accident. Thank

you Gage for your selfless service to us. You will be missed.

MORE 2015 AWARD WINNERS


The Madness is back and better

than ever! In 2015, 2,335 tick-

ets were sold and over $46,700

was raised for Special Olympics

South Dakota!

While the 2015 professional

football season is winding

down, we are excited to an-

nounce that we will again be

selling Pigskin Madness tickets

again in 2016.

Your Pigskin Madness raffle

tickets can be purchased begin-

ning in April and will be sold

through the end of August.

Tickets can be purchased for

$20.

Each ticket is randomly as-

signed four teams for each

week of the regular profession-

al football season. The final

score for each week is deter-

mined by adding the point to-

tals of the assigned four teams

from that week.

The six highest point totals and

the lowest point total are

awarded prizes every week of

the NFL season.

Prizes for 2015 included:

Highest Team Total - $200

2nd Highest - $100

3rd Highest - $80

4th Highest - $60

5th Highest - $40

6th Highest - $20

Lowest - $20

Any rules changes going for-

ward will be announced at time

of purchase.

Don’t lament the end of the holiday season, you have Po-

lar Plunges to look forward to! 2016 will be another busy

year, with 13 Plunges being hosted across the state by the

Law Enforcement Torch Run!

In 2015, Polar Plunges raised over $330,000 for Special

Olympics South Dakota with over 1,100 participants brav-

ing the icy waters. We want 2016 to be our biggest and

best year ever – and we need your help to do just that!

For information on all of 2016’s Polar Plunges across the

state, please visit our website at www.plungesd.org. This

website has the information, materials and resources you

will need in order to start you on your fundraising journey.

This site also links you to the registration and fundraising

pages and gives tips and tricks to help you have a great

time “Freezin’ for a Reason!”

Contact Todd or Kelsey at 605-331-4117 for questions or information.

I n October, two law en-

forcement officers and

two SOSD staff traveled

to the Bahamas to attend

the International Law En-

forcement Torch Run Con-

ference.

The South Dakota Law En-

forcement Torch Run pro-

gram raised $653,578 in

2014 and was awarded the

Emerald Level of Excellence,

as well as the Third Highest

Per Capita Fundraising Pro-

gram throughout the world

for 2014!

We want to give a huge

THANK YOU to all the law

enforcement personnel who

have helped the South Da-

kota LETR program continu-

ally increase awareness and

funds for Special Olympics

South Dakota from year to

year!

The success and achieve-

ments of the program are

all in thanks to you!

PLUNGE SCHEDULE 2016

Jan 23 - Brandon

Feb 06

13 27

28 28

- Chamberlain

- Watertown - Vermillion

- Spearfish - Mitchell

Mar 05

11

- Rapid City

- Pierre

Apr 01

09 09

10

- Brookings

- Parkston - Aberdeen

- Yankton

- Sioux Falls TBD

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

http://www.plungesd.org


LETR Social Media Like us on Facebook and Twitter to stay

up to date with all the latest information

and happenings with the South Dakota

Law Enforcement Torch Run!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

pages/South-Dakota-Law-Enforcement-

Torch-Run/180542815479

Twitter - https://twitter.com/SDLETR

Tip a Cop fundraisers were

back this year and proved to

be huge successes. Tip a Cop

allows law enforcement offic-

ers to put down their hand-

cuffs for the night and volun-

teer as special “servers” at

local participating restaurants.

These officers, along with help

from local athletes, serve

drinks and clear tables while

working for “tips” for Special

Olympics South Dakota.

Applebee’s in Spearfish held

an event October 28th and

raised over $2,326.

On November 4-5, Texas

Roadhouse in Sioux Falls also

hosted an event. Over these

two nights $3,150 was raised.

The goal for 2016 is to host

several Tip a Cop fundraisers

at various restaurants across

the state. These events are

held throughout the year and

are a great way to support

Special Olympics South Dako-

ta while enjoying a delicious

meal!

If you have interested in host-

ing an event in your area,

please let us know.

2015 Torch Run T-shirts

The 2016 Torch Run T-shirts will

be ready for sale in January 2015.

The shirts are cotton, short-

sleeved and will be $15 a shirt.

Please contact Kelsey or Todd at

the State Office at 605-331-4117

to order your shirt today!

Two “World’s Largest Truck Convoys” were

again held this past fall. Rapid City hosted

an event on September 18-19 and Sioux

Falls was the host city for an event on Sep-

tember 25-26.

These annual events unite Law Enforce-

ment personnel and truck drivers in an

effort to raise funds and awareness for

Special Olympics athletes.

Sioux Falls had another record year with

the event being held at the W.H. Lyon Fair-

grounds. Along with the actual convoy,

multiple activities were held during this

two day celebration, including a Texas

Hold’em tournament, lead truck bidding,

truck show, live auction, raffles and award

presentations.

There was a record 166 registered truckers

paying a minimum of $100 to participate in

the 15 mile trek through the heart of Sioux

Falls, helping raise over $63,000 for Special

Olympics South Dakota. This was our larg-

est convoy to date in South Dakota.

The 2nd Annual Rapid City Convoy was

held at the Central States Fairgrounds and

was a huge success! 30 registered drivers

helped raise over $11,000 for Special

Olympics South Dakota. The route for the

Rapid City Convoy drove right past the

State Softball tournament, so the drivers

made sure they made plenty of noise for

all the athletes! We know everyone had a

great time and can’t wait to make next

year’s event even bigger, better and loud-

er!

Thank you to all of the participants and

their families, sponsors, Law Enforcement

Torch Run officers, athletes and their fami-

lies, and wonderful volunteers who helped

make the 2015 World’s Largest Truck Con-

voys a huge success.

For those interested in purchasing a

World’s Largest Truck Convoy calendar or

t-shirt, please contact the State Office at

800-585-2114. The calendars are in and

can be purchased for $15 each. Get them

while they last!

JOIN US IN 2016!

September 16 & 17, Rapid City September 23 & 24, Sioux Falls

MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

World’s Largest Truck Convoy

Tip-A-Cop Fundraisers

https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Dakota-Law-Enforcement-Torch-Run/180542815479



https://twitter.com/SDLETR


Village Bowl in Mitchell and Prairie Lanes in

Brookings hosted Strikes for Special Olympics

events this past November. Participants were

asked to pay or raise a minimum of $35 per

person and in return received food and drink,

a t-shirt, three games of bowling and shoe

rental. The event also included door prizes,

music, fun and prizes to the top scoring bow-

lers!

We are looking forward to bringing even more

Strikes for Special Olympics events to various

bowling alleys across the state of South Dako-

ta in 2016. Here are a few upcoming Strikes

events already scheduled on 2016.

April 2 – Madison Strikes event

April 3 – Huron Strikes event

Hope that everyone can join us for a bowlin’

good time! For more information on these

events, check out our website at

www.firstgiving.com/sosd .

T his 20th Annual event is a friend-

ly holiday blood drive pitting the

Sioux Falls Police Department

against the Sioux Falls Fire Department

to see who can recruit the most blood

donors.

The contest kicks off December 28,

2015 and runs through January 8,

2016. The public is encouraged to

visit either Sanford Medical Center

(333-6444) or Avera McKennan Hospi-

tal (322-7111) donor rooms and des-

ignate their blood donation to the

department of their choice.

Donors will receive a specially designed

“Police” or “Fire” t-shirt (while supplies

last) and a $5 certificate compliments

of Texas Roadhouse.

As the charity of choice for the Sioux

Falls Police Department, Special Olym-

pics South Dakota will receive a dona-

tion of $350.00 if they should win.

Last year it was the Sioux Falls Fire De-

partment coming away with another

close victory over the Police Depart-

ment.

Donors must be at least 17 years old

(16 years with a signed parent consent

form), weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in

good general health. It is recommend-

ed that a person eat and drink plenty

of fluids prior to donating blood.

Please bring an ID with you at the time

of donation. For more information call

605-331-3222 or visit

www.cbblifeblood.org.

PLEASE DONATE…. YOU

JUST MIGHT SAVE A LIFE!

T his year’s event in Yankton was held on

August 28-29. Since its inception in

2007, “The Bash” has raised over

$165,800 for Special Olympics South Dakota.

I don’t know about you, but during these cold

winter day, when I look outside the window, all

I can think about is sailing and sun…how about

you?

Location: Lewis & Clark Lake – Yankton, SD

Dates: August 26-27, 2016

Description: Sailboat race the length of Lewis

& Clark Lake in Yankton. This is an all day

event for all types of sailboats. Over 50 boats

are expected again. Prepare for great food,

fun and games.

Admission: Free- everyone is welcome!

For more information: 605-665-2680 www.bashtothecolonies.com

All proceeds to benefit SOSD

2016 Torch Run Contacts

Dave Stratton (Retired Rapid City Police De-

parted) will continue serving in his role as the

Director of the South Dakota LETR program

through 2016.

Please feel free to contact any of the individu-

als below for anything LETR related.

Director Dave Stratton

Rapid City Police Department (Retired)

[email protected]

Assistant Director Jon Cole

Vermillion Police Department

[email protected]

Assistant Director James Smit

Belle Fourche (Retired)

[email protected]

Torch Run Liaison Todd Bradwisch

[email protected]

Asst Torch Run Liaison Kelsey Messerschmidt

[email protected]

MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

http://www.firstgiving.com/sosd

http://www.cbblifeblood.org/

http://www.bashtothecolonies.com

mailto:[email protected]




T he Special Olympics Healthy Ath-

letes® program is designed to help

Special Olympics athletes improve

their health and fitness, leading to en-

hanced sports experience and improved

well-being.

New research published by SOI, Inc. rein-

forces the importance of the work we are

doing through our athlete screenings.

Of athletes examined in North America since

2007:

24.6% had untreated tooth decay

73.4% were obese/overweight (adults)

4.9% have never had an eye exam

35.7% experience ongoing exposure to

second hand smoke

On the flipside, 84% of health care provid-

ers feel better prepared to treat people

with ID as a result of volunteering for

Healthy Athletes. Great news!

Today, SOSD offers screenings in the fol-

lowing disciplines: Fit Feet (podiatry) FUN-

fitness (physical therapy), Special Smiles

(dentistry) and Healthy Hearing

(audiology).

We are actively seeking qualified clini-

cians for the following disciplines.

Please contact us if interested in becom-

ing a part of this life changing program.

Health Promotion: Health Promotion

venues empower and motivate athletes to

make healthy lifestyle choices that will

improve their long-term health by using

interactive educational games and litera-

ture. Athletes are offered guides for

healthy eating, sun safety, smoking cessa-

tion, lifestyle choices and fun ways to in-

crease physical fitness.

Clinician Requirements: Dietician, Physi-

cian, Nurse, PT, Health Educator

MedFest: Standard sports physical ex-

amination for current and prospective Spe-

cial Olympics athletes are completed

Clinician Requirements: Medical Doctor,

Physician

Opening Eyes: Under this program, ex-

tensive vision screenings are conducted.

Athletes are then provided with free pre-

scription eye glasses, sport wear glasses

and sunglasses as warranted.

Clinician Requirements: Vision Care Pro-

fessional, Licensed Optometrist or Oph-

thalmologist.

For More Information Regarding Clinician Training:

Johna Thum, Special Events Director

Local: 605.331.4117 Toll Free: 800.585.2114

Fax: 605.331.4328

More Research Results

Dr. Aaron Studer (Rapid City) com-pletes a dental exam

An audiology student from USD (under the direction of Dr. Paul Brueggeman and Dr. Marni Johnson Martin) conducts a hearing exam

Josh Nebelsick (Sioux Falls) along with Dr. Patti Berg (Sioux Falls) leads a FUNfitness assessment

Dr. Lorri Riley (Spearfish) performs a Fit Feet evaluation

HEALTHY ATHLETES


O ur dream of building the Unify Center is well on its way to becoming a

reality. If the weather continues to cooperate, our goal of a June 1,

2016 completion date is in reach.

The Unify Center will undoubtedly facilitate statewide growth in all aspects of

SOSD’s programming. Areas such as Project UNIFY, Healthy Athletes, Young

Athletes, Unified Sports and all 26 competitions throughout the year will all

be positively impacted by this new facility.

A big THANK YOU to all who have supported the Unify Center!!

If you have not had the opportunity to support this exciting project you can

still help us reach our final goal.

Please contact Darryl Nordquist, President/CEO

cell 605-376-8613 email: [email protected]

Above SOSD hosted a ground breaking ceremony on October 14, 2015.

Far Right Mid December progress on the Unity Center.

Right Tom Walsh Sr. & Tom Walsh Jr. make a donation of $100,000 to SOSD.

Scarf Project 2016 Folks from all around the country have been hard at work crochet-

ing and knitting scarves for SOSD athletes, coaches, and supporters.

We have a long way to go to meet our goal.

Colors: Buff/tan and light blue. We are

not overly concerned with “exact” col-

ors. Anything close to these are perfectly

fine.

Deadline to Receive Scarves: February 26,

2016

Shipping Address: SOSD * 800 E. I-90 Lane

* Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Scarf Distribution Information: SOSD

State Basketball Tournament to be held in

Pierre on March 12 & 13, 2016

Scarf Goal: 800

For much more information either visit our website at

www.sosd.org or follow the project on facebook at

“knit and crochet for a cause”

KEEP ‘EM COMING!

BITS & PIECES

Our friends at @ToysRUs have a new Toy Guide for

Differently-Abled Kids.

To view the guide visit:

www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled

#ToysForAll

Coaches Education Update

Coaches education helps to ensure that each coach and athlete

have the best sport experience possible. Our athletes deserve

highly trained coaches so they are empowered to reach their

goals and maximum potential.

To date, approximately 330 Coaches in South Dakota have com-

pleted this required course work. An estimated 80-90% of

those expected to complete this training have done so.

Thank you Coaches for your commitment and dedication to

SOSD. YOU ARE APPRECIATED!

REMINDER: After January 1, 2016, you must complete Level 1

training in order to coach a Special Olympics sport. If you desire

HOD or Head Coach status you must also complete Level 2

training. You can find more information regarding certification

by clicking on the “Competition Guide and Forms” button on our

website homepage, or contact Chad VanderPoel.


http://www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled


Your generosity is humbling, appreciated, and we thank you!

Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau Angela Anderson Kaufhold Architecture Incorporated Bennett, LLC Black Hills Works, Inc BNSF Foundation Bourne, Todd & Tisha Canfields Business Interiors, LLC Concrete Materials Coyle Construction Cummins Central Power Dakota Beverage Co., Inc Elgethun Capital Management, Inc Feiock, Jeff & Anne First PREMIER Bank

Grand Falls Casino Resort Granite City Food & Brewery LTD Hill's Interiors, Inc. Interstate Companies, Inc J1 Industries, LLC John Austin Insurance Agency, Inc Jon C. Baumann DDS PC Kingery, Paula J. Landmark Aviation Leber AG Service, LLC Lewis & Clark Resort Lil'D Trucking Lintz Bros Pizza, LLC Mahlander's Appliance & Lighting Marco

Mark Albenesius, Inc Masonry Components, Inc Meat Lodge Mid States Transport, Inc Modern Woodmen of America-Joesph Sztapka

Muilenburg, Kirby & Nicole Muth Electric, Inc Northeast Educational Services Coop Otis, Lynn F & Lee B Paypal Giving Fund Porter Apple Company "B", Inc Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau Redlinger Bros. Plumbling & Heating Co. Rehorst, Steve & Stefanie Sayre Associates, Inc Schultz, Lori L

Schwan Financial Group, LLC Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau Sioux Falls Morning Optimists Site Work Specialists, Inc Smith Trucking, Inc South Dakota Truck Driving Champions State of South Dakota Stone Wealth Management, LLC Sun Enterprises, Inc The Diamond Room The Koehler Organization Tony's Diesel Service, Inc Turnwall Trucking W. D. Larson Companies LTD Inc Wiekeraad, Matthew L.

Silver $500 - $999 June 15 - December 15, 2015

Dedications June 15 - December 15, 2015 In Honor of Kip & JoAnne’s Wedding

Anderson, Charles & Sonja Daly, Trent & Tina Engelsman, Dawn

Finch, Terry & Grace Verbrugge, Percy & Sharon

In Honor of Leah Olson

Alternative Strategies Group

In Honor of Kinlee Hohm Keupp, Roxanne M.

In Memory of Richard Warwick

Krell, Greg & Lynn

In Memory of Chris Fletcher LETR Chris Fletcher Memorial

In Memory of Bill Brooks Bierschbach Equipment & Supply

Buss, Cynthia & James Deraad, Linda

Jackson, Jeff & Shawn Jans Corporation

Meidinger, James E & Lorrie M Mooney, William J Platt, Ann & Don

In Honor of John McHale Lillevold, John C & Beth A Mikkelsen

Purtell, Vincent A & Teresa M

Advanced Asset Alliance Alternative Strategies Group Arndt, Tracy L. Asheim, Dan & Carol Aspire Recreation Avera Health Foundation Boadwine, Jim & Michelle Boyce Law Firm, LLP Broin, Miriam & Robert Brothers Pharmacy Burger King Cody Transportation, LTD Components Manufacturing Company CorTrust Bank Crown Gaming Inc Dacotah Bank Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP

Earthbend First Dakota Title Fischer Rounds Furniture Mart USA, Inc Grand Prairie Foods, Inc Grubb, Jody & Cathy Home Federal Bank Hy-vee, Inc Interstate Office Products J & W Diesel & Truck Service, Inc JDS Industries, Inc Johnson, Gary K & J Trucking, Inc Kennedy, Myles & Jeanette LazaDerm Skincare Centre, PC Leland & Dorothy Olson Foundation MetaBank

Midland National Life Morgen, LLC Oahe, Inc Olander Trucking, Inc Olympic Companies Plains Commerce Bank Premium Best Transport, Inc Randy Kouri Memorial Rapid City Regional Hospital Rapp, Carl or Jackie Risk Administration Services Rolo Express, Inc Score, Shawn J Scull Construction Service, Inc SDN Communications Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital, LLP

Sioux Valley Energy Smit, James & Joanne South Dakota Community Foundation South Dakota State University Special Olympics The Erickson Group, LLC The Fruit Club TNT Entertainment, LLC TSP, Inc Unzelman, Myrl & Lois US Bank Vande Brake, Steven or Mary Walmart Foundation Williams Insurance Agency, Inc Woods, Fuller, Schultz and Smith, PC

Gold $1,000 and above June 15 - December 15, 2015

Althoff, Aaron & Christina Arndt, Ronald C. Art's Garbage Service Bare Bones Trucking, LLC Beds BY Design Best Sioux Falls Storage Black Hills Barbeque Bob Willey Trucking Bommersbach, Paul & Melinda Boyd, Michelle & Blaine Brick, Wesley Bruflat, Paul & Julie Cody, John G. D and H Delivery, Inc Dakota Chapters-Studebaker Drivers Club Donkersloot Enterprises, LLC Eddies Truck Center Eschen Trucking Eschen, Jeffrey & Tricia

FedEx First National Bank - Pierre Fischbach, Tevan Forthman Enterprises, Inc Friessen Construction Co, Inc Goethals Trucking Great Western Bank Gustafson, Robert & Mary Habeck Trucking, Inc Hagen Glass, Windows & Siding, Inc Hannahs, Jeff Heartland Consumers Power District Helms & Associates Hilmer, B.L. & R.R Hornby, Doris & James Horner, Derek & Dawn House of Glass HR Green ICHIBAN Sushi Bar

Johnson, Carl A & Kathy Kingsley, Alan Kjergaard, Laurie A Klapperich, David & Jannel Kloster, Audrey L & Sterling R Knology Kounkel Trucking, LLC Kuhn, Jeffery & Linda Levesque, William Lind, Cody & Janet Mitchell, Allen & Tessa Prorate 48 Reiners, Tom & Mary L Reznicek, David G Roth Trucking, Inc Rozenboom, Dave & Tammy Schenk Trucking Scott Peterson Motors, Inc Scott, Janet

SESDAC, Inc SF Downtown Lions Club Sioux Falls Express Sioux Valley Optimist Club Spearfish Regional Hospital Stan's, Inc TBI, Inc Temari Designs, LLC Travis Trucking, Inc Trimac Transport Central, Inc Trinity Lutheran Church Underground Solutions, Inc United Tent & Convention, Inc VanWyat, Jeremy Watertown School District 14-4 Welch, Brian & Janel Wellmark Foundation Zell Enterprises, Inc

Bronze $250 - $499 June 15 - December 15, 2015

In Memoriam Raya O’Neil - Vermillion (Athlete)


Schedule of Events 2016

January 23 Polar Plunge Brandon

February 2 & 3 State Winter Games Lead

February 06 Polar Plunge Chamberlain

February 12 NE Area Basketball Redfield

February 13 Polar Plunge Watertown

February 13 SE Area Basketball Yankton

February 19 BH Area Basketball Rapid City

February 26 Scarf Project Due Date

February 27 Polar Plunge Vermillion

February 28 Polar Plunge Spearfish

February 28 Polar Plunge Mitchell

March 05 Polar Plunge Rapid City

March 11 Polar Plunge Pierre

March 12 & 13 State Basketball Pierre

April 1 Polar Plunge Brookings

April 09 Polar Plunge Parkston

April 09 Polar Plunge Aberdeen

April 10 Polar Plunge Yankton

TBD Polar Plunge Sioux Falls

April 20 Mission Games Mission

April 22 NE Area Aquatics Aberdeen

April 22 BH Area Spring Games Rapid City

April 23 BH Area Aquatics Spearfish

April 29 tent. SE Area Aquatics Sioux Falls

April 29 NE Area Spring Games Watertown

April 30 SE Area Spring Games Brandon

May 19-21 State Summer Games Spearfish

July 11 & 12 Equestrian Huron

TBD NE Area Softball Watertown

August 20 SE Area Softball Sioux Falls

August 20 BH Area Softball Rapid City

September 16-18 Fall Classic Rapid City

On February 2 and 3, 2016, Terry Peak Ski Area

will again host this event. Approximately 50

athletes are expected to compete in Glide, Super

Glide, Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G events.

For more information

contact the state office.

The word retarded hurts millions of

people with intellectual disabilities,

their families and friends.

SOSD is strongly committed to educat-

ing our youth in an attempt to eradi-

cate the R-word from our vernacular.

Participating in Spread The Word To

End The Word (STWTETW) activities is

easy, will not cost you a dime, and is

important!

Nationally, STWTETW Day is March 2,

2016. You are free to hold events at

your convenience, but we encourage

you to hold them during the month of

March.

If interested in participating, please

contact Johna at the state office by

5:00 pm on January 11, 2016. All pro-

motional items will be supplied to

you free of charge!

Thank You To These Official Partners

Special Thanks To These Major Sponsors

december 2015 - special olympics south dakota 2015 inside this issue page 2 ... maynard konechne -...

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