Articles from September 2017

Special Olympics Iowa would like to introduce its new Volunteer Director Elin Phipps!

Before taking on the full-time position of Volunteer Director, Phipps was a volunteer coordinator intern with SOIA, helping with volunteers for Summer Games. Originally from Boone, Iowa, Phipps attended Central College where she majored in Communication Studies- Mass Communication & Journalism. She also ran track and cross country for the Central Dutch.

During college Phipps worked with several nonprofits, including Young Life, and volunteered with Amanda the Panda and Kiwanis Miracle Baseball League. She has also had several jobs relating to athletics such as being a swim instructor and life guard.

Phipps is excited to start working with the athletes of SOIA. “By far the most exciting aspect I am looking forward to at Special Olympics Iowa is working with the athletes at events and getting to know them personally.  I am also eager to learn more about how Special Olympics impacts persons with special needs all over the world.” …

Special Olympics Iowa is excited to announce the Dubuque Challenge Day will return this year to Loras College in Dubuque. The Challenge Day will take place at the college’s Activity and Wellness Center on Friday, October 20, 2017. The day will kick-off with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., with sports activities starting at 10:00 a.m. 

Challenge Days are a one-day event designed specifically for the severe and profound population of Iowa as well as our aging population. Because of the need to offer more activities for these individuals, it has been a goal of Special Olympics Iowa to give these athletes opportunities to compete in activities that mirror the 23 Olympic-style sports SOIA offers.  …

On Friday, November 10, Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department Association and Johnston Professional Firefighters Local 4835 will host the annaul Firefighters’ Ball at Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston. Special Olympics Iowa is one of three charities chosen to receive proceeds from the event.

The charitable evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, special guests, a cash bar, dancing, silent auction, raffles and a photo booth.

The event cost is $40 per person or $70 per couple. Tickets are limited to 300 guests and are available to the public until Friday, October 20.

To purchase tickets please contact Ginger at jgmfdfirefightersball@gmail.com or 515-276-5182.

Event Poster

The Global Messenger Workshop will be December 1-2, 2017 at the state office in Grimes.

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When Hurricane Harvey hit last month Alicia Porter knew she couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch. The Special Olympics Iowa coach had an important connection to Houston; her assistant coach, Barb Hottman is originally from the city.

Hottman, a former special education teacher from Houston has a daughter living in Houston and she immediately wanted to go and see firsthand how her and all of her friends were really doing.

“Through phone calls we began to realize that these people were living on cans of soup and even K-rations. We knew that she [Hottman] could not go empty-handed,” Porter said. Team Porter began reaching out to close friends and relatives, asking for donations of food and paper supplies.  With an outpouring of support, a thousand dollars worth of food and supplies were donated and sent with Hottman to bring to Houston. …