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Spring 2015
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in Area Mwhat’supup
Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry and Northern York CountiesPO Box 382 | 55 Miller Street Summerdale, PA 17093 | 717.732.6756 | www.sopam.org
Our long-time sponsor, Applebee’s, will support the 46th Area M Games by selling the above photocards picturing the following athletes: Loreal Lister; Ridge Trimble; Jack Lavelle; Matt Bosak and Devin Eshelman.
Stop by for lunch or dinner from March 9th through April 13th and purchase a card. All monies raised will come directly to Area M in support of our Area M Games held at Messiah College.
Restaurant locations: Carlisle, Colonial Park, Ephrata, Harrisburg Mall, Hershey, Lancaster, Mechanicsburg and York
Thank you to Applebee’s for all they do to help Area M Games reach our goals of offering outstanding training and competition to the athletes of Area M.
March 9th through April 13th and help support Area M Games!
Join us at
Applebees is a proud supporter of The Special Olympics. – Area M
Applebees is a proud supporter of The Special Olympics. – Area M
Applebees is a proud supporter of The Special Olympics. – Area M
Applebees is a proud supporter of The Special Olympics. – Area M
AREA M LEADERSHIP TEAM The Future of Special Olympics!Area M’s Athlete Leadership is always looking for new members: If you are interested in being a part of setting the
course for Special Olympics PA - Area M; if you like to help in community events; if you would like to be a part of the exciting Opening Ceremonies at our invitationals—then Leadership Team is for you!
If you would like to be a part of this exciting team, simply download the application from the website, fill it out, have your coach sign it, then mail it to either Kristie Davis or Jan Holt.
As a member of the Athlete Leadership Team you are the voice of the Area M athletes. You can share your and their ideas with the Management Team and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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Area M Alpine Ski CompetitionYES, wE DO SKI IN AREA M AND wE ARE DARN GOOD AT IT!Athletes participated in the Alpine Ski Clinics held prior to the competition. l 65 Area M Alpine Ski athletes were invited to the Ski Competition l 55 athletes actually competed at the Ski Competition due to school delays, l 25 of these athletes advance to winter Games!
Many thanks to Ski Roundtop, Roundtop Ski Patrol and Race Team and the local High School Ski Teams that help us at the Clinics as well as the day of competition. we of course could not do this training or event without the leadership of our Head Coach, Kathy Charron and her team of awesome assistants.
AREA M FLOOR HOCKEY INVITATIONALThis event is an invitational, which means Area M as well as surrounding counties were invited to participate. It was held on February 7, 2015 at Susquenita High School.
150 Athletes attended, with teams from Area M, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Berks County and Lebanon County. Skills Athletes from Area M and Montour County also took part in the competition. Students from the Susquenita Girls Field Hockey Team, Honor Society, and Girls Basketball Team assisted Area M Coaches and Volunteers in running the event.
AreA M’S Two TeAMS Took THe BRONzE MEDAL!
SKILLS COMPETITION RESuLTS – 4TH PLACE – Tom STone | BRONzE MEDAL – Karen Havern; Toni HeiSTer
SILVER MEDAL – Dena imHoff | GOLD MEDAL – JoSHua PoleSHucK; angie STarr
A special thanks to Coach Maryellen Brown for organizing the event. Thank you to Susquenita School District for hosting the event and a special thanks to Mr. kent Smith, Superintendent of Susquenita School District for being the official Awards Presenter. Great job by everyone.
STICKS D
OW
N!
Adam Smith will represent Special olympics Pennsylvania and area m as part of Team uSa in the 2015 World games to
be held in Los Angeles July 25th – August 2, 2015. we are so proud of Adam and wish him the very best
as he continues to train for this awesome event. we can’t wait to follow his progress during the competition.
wAY TO GO ADAM!
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$1AREA M
PLU540
Thank You for SupportingSpecial Olympics!
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Winter GamesFebruary 8, 9, 10, 2015 –
Seven SpringsArea M was pleased to send 50 athletes to this State level competition in Alpine Skiing and Ice Speed Skating.
The Ski Team had challenging fog to deal with Monday. The Advanced and Intermediate courses were so heavy with fog they could only see 2 or 3 gates ahead of them. Tuesday, the conditions were much better, but the snow was tricky.
Many medals were earned: 20 golds, 10 silver, 10 bronze. This is an amazing showing for these athletes, since several heats had 6 or more athletes competing.
The ice Speed Skating Team headed to Planet ice and boy—its cold in that place! we don’t have a medal count for Ice Speed Skating but the stats are impressive: In the two-day competition, 80 Personal Best records were set. Amazing!
Here is what our Coaches had to say:
kathy Charron, Alpine Skiing – “Our team was really great! The athletes impressed us all with their good sportsmanship, comradery, responsibility and cheerfulness (no complaining about the weather or anything else.)”
Brett eshenour, Ice Speed Skating – “Very impressive season from my perspective, actually one of the best performances I remember.”
Many thanks to all of our wonderful Coaches and Volunteers that helped to make this trip to winter Games possible. You are the glue that holds us together.
Brett and Derek Eshenour, spoke during the VIP reception and Opening Ceremonies. They spoke about Derek’s trip to Salt Lake City to attend the Apolo Ono Training Camp and Competition.
would you like to join our
TeAM of CeLeBrITY BAGGerS?
Contact the office for more information
717-732-6756
Come Join Us at OurVOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION!
Special Olympics PA - Area M will be holding a Volunteer Information session.
wednesday, April 29, 2015 Meadow Room
CAIu(55 Miller St, Summerdale) 6:30 to 8:00 PM
At this session, we will present information on the responsibilities of a volunteer; trainings required by Special Olympics PA in order to be a volunteer;
volunteer opportunities; and information about the sports offered by Area M.
Please consider attending this informational session to learn how to become a volunteer and how to
become more involved with our program.
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Torch SaleIN 2014, KArNS DONATeD $24,947 FrOm The TOrCh SAle!!!
July will once again be Special olympics Pa – area m month at all Karns locations: Boiling Springs, Carlisle, Hershey, Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, Middletown, new Bloomfield and Paxton Square.
Celebrity Baggers will be at each store on July 11 and July 25. If you are interested in being a Celebrity Bagger please contact kristie at the Area M office no later than June 19th.
Thank you to the Karns family and all of their wonderful employees for all they do to support our program and to make July a special month for Special Olympics PA – Area m!
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Area M is now on FACEBOOK “like” us at – www.facebook.com/
specialolympicspaaream
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Meet the 2015 Special Olympics PA – Area M
ManageMent teaM
Feel free to reach out to any of them for more information about our program.
Program Director Kristie Davis – [email protected]
Sports Training & Competition Director Shannon Pechart – [email protected]
Athlete Representative Stephen Dower – [email protected]
Athlete Representative Melissa Holt – [email protected]
Athlete Representative Mentor Jan Holt – [email protected]
Database & Volunteer Coordinator Louise Bell – [email protected]
Family Coordinator Michelle Tonkin – [email protected]
Fundraising Coordinator Danyell Eshelman – [email protected]
Grant writer John Kunkle – [email protected]
Medical Coordinators Dan & Michelle Roach – [email protected]
Outreach Coordinator Mike wetzel – [email protected]
Public Relations Coordinator Kay Straw – [email protected]
Recording Secretary Krista Himmelreich – [email protected]
Sports & Competition Coordinator Bob Long – [email protected]
Sports Committee Randy Brandes – [email protected]
Sports Committee Maryellen Brown – [email protected]
Training Coordinator Larry wilson – [email protected]
Treasurer Donna Davidson – [email protected]
wow! we received $9,000 from kicks 4 kids by volunteering at this soccer tournament in 2014. Help us earn an even bigger donation in 2015 by volunteering!
Contact Louise Bell – [email protected] or kristie Davis – [email protected] for more information.
June 20 & 21, 2015
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Special Olympics PA – Area M day at the Harrisburg Senators will be on Saturday, May 23, 2015.
Join us at the ballpark as we celebrate and recognize our athletes. More information to come on tickets and special
activities for the athletes. Information will be posted to the Area M website www.sopam.org and our Facebook
page www.facebook.com/specialolympicspaaream
COME JOIN uSwALK FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS PA AREA M!
Special olympics Pa – area m will be participating in Highmark walk for a Healthy Community on
Saturday, May 16th at HACC.
raise $25 and you will receive an event t-shirt. raise $100 or more and you will also receive a special Area M
t-shirt! For every $50 that you raise or donate in support of Special olympics Pa – area m, you will receive one raffle
ticket for a chance to win prizes total valued at $1,000.
Registration: 7:45am 5K walk Start: 9am One-Mile Fun walk Start: 9:15am
JOIN AREA M AT THIS FuN EVENT! register online at www.hcf.convio.net/sopam
Coaches will be forming teams for each of our sports. The team that has the highest participant average will receive a
special prize!
Kicks4Kids l l l l l l l l l l l l
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The 10th Annual Capital Area Polar Plunge was held on Saturday, January 31st at
Gifford Pinchot State Park.CONGRATuLATIONS TO OuR AwARD wINNERS:
Majestic eskiMo – top individual Fundraiser BARRY STETLER
eskiMo Hero – top public saFety teaM DAuPHIN COuNTY FIRST RESPONDERS
rockin scHoolHouse – top scHool teaM TEAM GOOD HOPE
cool caMpus – top college/university teaM SIGMA TAu GAMMA
polar bear – top coMMunity teaM DISTRICT 2 FREEMASONS
cHieF eskiMo – Most creatively dressed FREEzING ICEHOLES
l Thank you to Aerotek and Geico for sponsoring this event; to our media sponsors wHP580 and wGAL-8; to Harrisburg River Rescue, Dover EMS and wellsville Fire Department for keeping everyone safe; to DJ Tommy for keeping us entertained; to Roger That Photography for capturing special moments in the Photo Booth; to Starbucks for the coffee and hot chocolate; to Gifford Pinchot State Park for the beautiful location and most importantly THANK YOu to all of the volunteers who made the event possible!
OuR FIRST EVER SuPER PLuNGE wAS HELD ON FRIDAY, JANuARY 23RD AT THE PARK INN IN MECHANICSBuRG
l One brave soul, Barry Stetler, took that challenge to be a Super Plunger. Barry plunged into a dunk tank every half-hour for five hours. He took a total of 11 plunges to show his support of our athletes!
l Barry was recognized at the Capital Area Polar Plunge as the Majestic Eskimo raising a total of $15,197.22!
2015 10th AnnuAl CApitAl AreA polAr plunge
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while we’re on the Subject of Parties... We neeD SOMe HeLP!Michelle Tonkin, Area M Family Coordinator, takes the lead on all the parties in Area M. She is looking for some help! This is a good senior project or opportunity for students to fulfill necessary volunteer hours. This also would be a great opportunity for parents/caregivers to become involved with our program. Please contact michelle at 717-982-2316 or email her at [email protected] for more information.
Donations are always welcomed for dances. Some examples are: unopened powdered drinks mixes, pretzels, and cookies.
She also wanted to mention the next dance is our end of Summer Dance to be held august 14th. She will be looking for donation of cookies and brownies for this dance. Please contact her at the information listed above if you’re willing to help.
Holiday Party held at the CAIU for the Athletes, Families/Caregivers of Area M!
The Holiday Dance was held on December 4th. approximately 200 athletes, Coaches, Volunteers as well as Family/Caregivers attended. It was truly a
wonderful time. The food was delicious and of course Santa Claus came with a little gift for everyone. our Holiday DJs were Boomer and his assistant Coach Joe.
Thank to everyone who made this event possible.
L♥VE is in the Air we had 125 athletes filled with the “love in the air” at the Valentine Dance. The athletes were all entered into a drawing for the chance to go home with a Huge stuffed animal generously donated to area m by Bellco community credit union. congrats to all those lucky enough to take home that new stuffy to love. Many thanks to the volunteers that donated the rice krispie squares and, of course, to DJ Tommy for spinning the music our athletes love!
“love is in the air!”
25th annual adult gamesThe 25th Annual Adult Games, sponsored by Federally employed women, will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at the mechanicsburg naval Base. athlete registration forms and volunteer registration forms MuST be returned by Friday, April 3rd and are available online at www.sopam.org or by calling the Area M office at 717-732-6756.
new this year: all registration forms muST be received by the deadline and be completed with athlete name, address and date of birth or entrance onto the base will not be granted.
all volunteers and all persons accompanying athletes and/or attending the event muST complete a volunteer Security Form and return it by the deadline to be allowed on base.
Flag Football! all new!!
we are very excited to announce that we will be offering a new sport in Area M…Flag Football! Trainings will be from mid-June to mid-August. You MuST contact the Area M office by
March 31st to be on the roster to participate. please contact Shannon Pechart, Training and Competition Director for Area M, [email protected] or 717-732-6756.
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Area M Held a Coaches/Volunteer Meeting on Thursday, February 12th
The meeting discussed the following topics:
1. Reviewed processes to becoming a Coach and/or Volunteer as well as the steps to becoming a participating Athlete in Special Olympics
2. Review of Coaches Certifications and requirements
3. Training Sites and Competitions
4. New Logo/Letterhead
5. Centralized Accounting/Budgeting
6. Resource Review
Special Olympics PA is continually making changes and modifying procedures in the best interest of our athletes. It is important that all Coaches/Volunteers keep up with these changes.
If you were unable to attend this very informative meeting, please contact Shannon Pechart, Training and Competition Director for Area M, [email protected] or 717-732-6756 and she will supply you with the needed materials.
HERE ARE THE INTERESTING FACTS:• 197 athletes participated in the clinics (prior to the competition)
• 62 athletes returned for the competition
• 112 Heats 89 races were run
• 25 athletes advanced to State level competition
• 33 Wonderful volunteers made the meet run smooth
• 8 great coaches and unified Partners made the experience for the athletes totally awesome.
• 1 unified Partner stopped people in their tracks with the national anthem
• 1 outstanding facility “Hershey arena” and their employee’s welcomed the athletes with smiles on their faces and the willingness to help with whatever Coach Brett eshenour and his staff of Coaches needed.
THanK You everyone that took part in this event!
Area M Bowling Competition Area M Bowling Tournament was held on December 6, 2014 at Trindle Lanes, with 162 bowlers participating.
A huge thank you to Dickinson College who once again provided all the lane monitors and runners. A big thank you to the 4 Masons who had the honor of presenting awards.
we would also like to thank all the Coaches and Volunteers that train our athletes for the 15 required games prior to this competition as well as for all their help the day of competition.
Also a shout out the facilities that make this training and competition happen: Trindle lanes, midway Bowling Center and ABC North.
Area M Hosts Our
LOCAL ICE SPEED SKATING COMPETITION
46th Annual Area M Games
Join us on April 16th at Messiah College for the 46th Annual Area M Games.
All paper work for games was due in by the end of February. If you have any questions regarding games
please contact Shannon Pechart, Training and Competition Director for Area M,
[email protected] or 717-732-6756.
thank You to the east High Ladies Basketball team!AREA M athletes were invited to be the special guest of the Lady Panthers. A shoot around was held at half time and a donation was made to our program.
Tee shirts were given to the athletes and high fives were passed around. Area M athletes and the Lady Panthers had a great time.
Thank you to the Lady Panthers Booster Club for the invitation.
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Dances 6:30pm – 8:30pmw end of Summer Dance – August 14w Halloween Dance – october 23w Christmas Dance – December 4
eventsw State Floor Hockey Tournament – March 7w Central Bowling Sectionals – March 21w 46th Area M Games – April 16w 25th Adult Games – April 25w Central Spring Sectionals – April 26w Volunteer Information Session – April 29w Area M Spring Thing – May 9w Highmark walk for a Healthy Community – May 16w Senators Games for Area M – May 23w Summer Games – June 4-6w kicks4kids Tournament – June 20-21w karns Torch Sale – The month of Julyw karns Celebrity Baggers – July 11w karns Celebrity Baggers – July 25
w Special olympics world Games (LosAngeles) – July 25-August 2
w Area M Fall Classic – September 20w fall festival – november 6-8w area m gala – november 15w Area M Bowling Tournament – December 5
what’s Happenning in
2015special dates
Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Special olympics Athlete oath
2015!
We love our athletesand thank our coaches
and volunteers!!!!
