Be a Fan of Inspiration ...
"When I first started playing two years ago, I wasn't that good," Bowers said. "I am better at the game now because I practice all the time."
Be a Fan of Inclusion ...
Sanders found a new meaning to life when he joined Special Olympics. He said that being a part of this is keeping him off the streets and it's something to look forward to because he made new friends.
Be a Fan of Sport ...
Martinez, who is from Sullivan County and is coached by Melissa Ebeling, believes that the Special Olympics has helped him stay motivated as well keeping positive.
News
December 20, 2004
Special Olympics New York partners with Coney Island Polar Bears
New partnership to benefit Special Olympic Athletes
Special Olympics New York and the Coney Island Polar Bears are happy to announce a new partnership to benefit Special Olympic athletes through the Law Enforcement Torch Run.The New Year's Day Plunge has been the premier event for the Coney Island Polar Bear Club for 102 years. Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating the New Year by welcoming in the first day of 2005 with a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
Swimmers, who pledge and plunge will receive a wristband entitling them to a Jimmy Dean breakfast, which includes coffee, hot chocolate, muffins, and yogurt. In addition they will receive a day of event access pass to the New York Aquarium. Pledge proceeds will benefit Special Olympics New York Programs.
Also, as part of the Transit Museum's Centennial celebration, the New York Transit Authority will run a special train called The "Centennial Polar Bear Express." The train is a vintage R1/9 train which has Truman Era cars built in the 1930's and 40's.
The "Centennial Polar Bear Express" will make all D line stops in Manhattan and express B line stops in Brooklyn ending at Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island. This train will make one run only. The train will be open to the public and members of the press. "The Centennial Polar Bear Express" will depart from Columbus Circle/59th Street at 9:30 a.m.
The 2005 New Year's Day plunge is expected to draw hundreds of spectators, swimmers, and members of the national and international press. This is a fun-filled celebration and Special Olympics New York is excited to begin its own tradition with the Polar Bears that we hope will last into the next century.
"We are proud to have been selected as the charity of choice by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club and we thank them," said Neal J. Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics New York. "With the help of these hearty men and women, who are willing to jump into freezing water, we hope to raise money for the 40,000 athletes in New York."
We appreciate the following sponsors who have contributed in making this event possible: Coney Island Polar Bear Club USA, Inc., NY Aquarium, Jimmy Dean, New York City Transit Authority, Coca-Cola, North Face, Statewide Coffee of Staten Island, Morning Muffins of Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest grassroots fund-raising and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. Each year, officers carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to their local, state or national Special Olympics games. They also organize and conduct fund-raising activities such as Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Harley-Davidson raffles and golf tournaments and now the New Year's Day Pledge and Plunge.
Eric Wohlleber Director of Public Affairs 518 388-0790, ext. 109; cell: 518 542-8919 ewohlleber@nyso.org www.specialolympicsny.org