Nothing brings fans together like a good old-fashioned tailgate! The first annual Tailgate for Teammates presented by Voya was held Oct. 17 at the State Historical Building in downtown Des Moines. Sponosrs and guests helped SOIA reach its $50,000 fundraising goal.
Athletes mingled with guests as they autographed trading cards with their photo. We Are Iowa Local 5 News Anchor Elias Johnson emcee’d the event along with SOIA athlete Tyler Leech, entertaining the crowd.
LSB Branch Manager Derek Baker with SOIA athletes at the Banking 101 lesson.
Lincoln Savings Bank (LSB) hosted a class for Special Olympics Iowa athletes at its bank in Clive as part of the students’ Senior Plus Program at Valley High School. The class is for special needs students who have earned all their credits to graduate, but choose to stay in school longer to have access to lessons on living and vocational skills.
Derek Baker, LSB branch manager, spoke with the students about the importance of paying yourself first, the difference between checking and savings accounts, and establishing good credit.
Baker explained that when paying yourself first, you should put some of your paycheck or birthday money into a savings account before buying the things you may want. Putting away 10% of your paycheck is a good number to start. Doing this can help you learn to manage your money better, save toward a goal or have money for emergencies.
Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) is proud to announce Lincoln Savings Bank as its newest Statewide Partner. With a gift of $25,000, Lincoln Savings Bank will be a Premier Statewide Partner for SOIA, after agreeing to become the Presenting Sponsor of the West Des Moines and Cedar Falls/Waterloo Polar Plunges.
“We are very excited to announce our new partnership with Lincoln Savings Bank,” said SOIA CEO Gary Harms. “Their team has expressed a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement in supporting our mission – not only for the Jordan Creek Town Center Polar Plunge to be held on November 7, but also in becoming a part of the volunteer force within our Special Olympics Iowa family. Their support will be a key driver in our efforts to create inclusion-based, joyful experiences for our friends with intellectual disabilities in each of our communities throughout the state of Iowa.”
Spirit Lake High School embodied the spirit of inclusion as Special Olympics Iowa athlete Megan Vierkant was crowned its 2015 Homecoming Queen on Sept. 23.
Megan was nominated as one of five senior girls up for the honor. When her name was called as one of the nominees she was a bit surprised, but her surprise quickly turned to excitement as she jumped up from the bleachers and ran to join the other candidates as the gym exploded with cheers.
The student body of 450 freshman through seniors voted to decide who would be their queen, and when Megan’s name was called once again, she was overwhelmed with support. The roar of the crowd, tears of joy and endless applause were only overshadowed by the support she was shown from the rest of the Homecoming Court.
“I was excited to get the crown!” Megan shared. “I am happy that my friends voted me to be the queen. I had a fun week and am very happy!”
Megan’s royal reign continued through the week, participating in pep rallies at the elementary school, middle school and high school. She got her first ride in a convertible during the homecoming parade before proudly walking with her parents to be introduced to the cheering crowd at the big game. The king and queen each gave a short speech at the game, where Megan thanked everyone for supporting her in getting her crown.
“We are very blessed to have such a supportive school, peers and community for Megan,” said her mom, Nancy. “She is known all over town and greeted by name everywhere she goes.”
It’s easy to support someone as inspiring as Megan. She is a member of the marching band, concert band and concert choir at school. She also delivers Meals on Wheels several times a month, with several clients who wait for her day to deliver her meals.
As a Special Olympics athlete, Megan has become an ambassador for the Unified Sports program. She plays unified golf and always recruits one of her peers from school to be her partner, incorporating other friends to help her train for her non-unified competitions. The training program has become so popular that there is a waiting list of students to come be Special Olympics training partners.
Megan truly personifies how Special Olympics Iowa’s goal of acceptance and inclusion can truly benefit the entire community. We couldn’t be more proud of Megan and the students at Spirit Lake!
After more than 63,260 total online votes were cast, Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA), based in the Des Moines area, was proclaimed the winner of the 10th annual Make My Non-Profit Run Better contest.
Representatives from Premier, a leading provider of copiers, printers, networks, managed print services and pure drinking water systems, announced on WOI-TV this morning that Special Olympics Iowa – a non-profit that provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities – is the grand prize winner of a $15,000 office technology makeover.
Granite City will be donating a portion of its sales to Special Olympics Iowa on Oct. 22!
Visit one of the three Granite City locations in Iowa – Cedar Rapids, Clive and Davenport – on Oct. 22, show your server our flyer and 12.5% of your total tab will be donated to Special Olympics Iowa!
Can’t stay for a meal? To go orders are included, too!
Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) has received a $20,000 grant from Variety- the Children’s Charity to fund Young Athletes Play Days and Unified Sports®.
Young Athletes Play Days are designed to provide play activities and socialization opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of two and seven. Play Days were created to serve children too young to participate in formal Special Olympics events (athletes can begin competing at age eight).
Katie Rasmussen and Jordan Allen joined the Special Olympics Iowa state office staff in September.
Rasmussen has been named director of regional field services for the North Region of SOIA. She oversees the North, Northeast, North Central and Central Areas.
Rasmussen was previously employed at ChildServe in Johnston as a recreational therapist where she worked with individuals from birth to 22 years of age with special health care needs. She provided outings, adapted leisure opportunities, aquatics, school re-entry and pet therapy. She received her degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2011 in leisure youth and human services, with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation and nonprofit management. She is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional.
Rasmussen has experience with Special Olympics Iowa, helping with the Northeast Area during her college career. She also coached at the Summer Games for Special Olympics Illinois.
Allen has been named the volunteer and unified sports manager for SOIA. She will manage recruitment and placement of all SOIA volunteers as well as the unified sports program.
Allen was previously the administrative assistant for AW Welt Ambrisco Insurance in Iowa City, where she worked for more than three years. She coordinated with all departments at AW Welt and served on the agency’s wellness and social committees. She graduated from The University of Iowa in 2013 with a degree in communication studies and minor in human relations.
Join Iowa State Football in supporting Special Olympics Iowa Oct. 3 as the Cyclones host the Kansas Jayhawks! Prior to the 11 a.m. kickoff, volunteers and our athletes will be stationed at each entralnce to Jack Trice Stadium collecting donations for SOIA. Drop off a donation on your way to cheering the Cyclones to victory!
Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) is pleased to announce the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) will continue as a Premier Statewide Partner in 2016. Statewide partners provide a comprehensive level of support of all programs and services offered by SOIA. A statewide partnership includes financial support, in-kind donations or any combination thereof.