Disney High School Musical

The Special Olympics invites you to take advantage of two special ticket offers for Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour at Nassau Coliseum and the IZOD Center (formerly Continental Arena).
All regularly priced $25 tickets are now $17.50 for all weekday performances.*
All regularly priced $15 tickets are now $10 for all weekday and weekend performances excluding
Saturday and Sunday 3:00 PM performances.*
* $.50 from each ticket will be donated to the Special Olympics(Cannot be combined with any other offers)
read more here

Welcome to a NEW New York City Region Supporter

USAirways has committed their support to the athletes of New York City. Please help us welcome and thank them to our Special Olympics New York family. USAirways generous support can be seen through New York City fundraisers such as Miles for Medals, Polar Plunge, and the Real Estate and Construction Gala.

8th Real Estate and Construction Gala

This year’s Gala raised nearly $475,000 to support Special Olympics New York. The event was held on October 17th at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers in New York City. Three distinguished individuals were honored: Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff, City of New York; Louise M. Matthews, Vice President of Global Real Estate for Avon Products, Inc.; and Kenneth J. Cooper, Senior Vice President, Corporate Administration, CBS Corporation. This fabulous evening of festivities always serves as a perfect opportunity to acknowledge individuals who bring excellence to their respective professions.

Special Olympics New York would like to thank this year’s gala supporters as well as Gala Chairs Gary Greenspan of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. and Charles D. Hammerman of The Disability Fund, Inc.; Journal Chair Theodore Koltis of Tishman Speyer and Ted Moudis of Ted Moudis Associates for championing Sponsor an Athlete.

Jimmy Vito, brother of Amanda Vito; Amanda Vito, Special Olympics New York Athlete and Global Messenger; Gary Greenspan, Chair of the 2007 Real Estate & Construction Gala and Executive Vice President at Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. and Kenneth J. Cooper, 2007 Real Estate & Construction Gala Honoree and SVP, Corporate Administration for CBS Corporation.

Polar Plunge to Benefit Special Olympics New York

Freezin’ for a Reason!

Polar Plunge
to Benefit
Special Olympics
New York, New York City Region

Save the Date

Special Olympics Polar Plunge – NYC
Great Kills Beach – Staten Island, NY
Sunday, December 2, 2007

A Polar Plunge is your chance to be one of the thousands of chilled souls across the country who have plunged into winter waters to show their support and raise money for the Special Olympics. In three plunges held in February and March of 2007 Special Olympics New York raised over $225,000 with almost 1,000 people taking the plunge!

Plungers are asked to raise a minimum of $100 to take the plunge and receive an official plunge sweatshirt. Plungers are able to set up their very own Personal Plunge Page to fundraise online and reach out to all of their contacts with a click of the mouse!

Students! it is only $ 25 for you to take the Plunge! With a Valid student ID, you can plunge by raising just $25 and receive T-Shirt. But Why stop there? Raise $100 and you can get a sweatshirt!! Or be the top School that raises most money and get an amazing award! For more info please visit: http://www.specialolympicsny.org/

Please set up your team Fundraising own plunge page at Set up your own Team Fundraising page by visiting http://www.firstgiving.com/nycpolarplunge where each team member can make their own site – complete with photos and a personal letter that they can send out to all of their contacts with a click of the mouse! Donating online through Firstgiving is secure and easy!

So why to wait! Jump Right in!

For questions please contact Pelin Cebi, Associate Director of Development, at 212-661-3963 or at pcebi@nyso.org

2007 Million Dollar Duck Race Winners

THANK YOU to all of you who came by and to those who supported Special Olympics New York by purchasing ducks. All proceeds insure that the over 24,000 Special Olympics Athletes in New York City continue to receive year-round sports training & athletic competitions and that neither the athlete, their family nor their caregiver will ever have to pay.

A special thank you to our band for the night, Bob Elliot The Studio and Pupa Santiago, WPLJ, Sarah Pingel and Marissa Rodriguez from the New York Lottery, New York Sports Commission, Circle Line, The South Street Seaport Museum, Ventura Sail New York, JP Mustard, Blue Man Group and Herman Golman Foundation for making this event a success. And, of course, a huge thank you to the sponsors of the 2007 Million Dollar Duck Race to benefit Special Olympics New York who made it all possible : New York Lottery, Mitsui USA, Time Warner Cable, American Airlines, Financial Times, WABC, Radio Disney.

Now here is the information that you have all been waiting for... a full list of all the lucky ducks who won prizes:

Unfortunately, there was not a Million Dollar winner this year – here’s hoping for next year!

The Grand Prize winner of round trip coach air transportation for two on American Airlines to anywhere in the Caribbean or the Continental United States and is:

Kellie Braswell

First Place winner for an overnight stay and dinner at Mohegan Sun (for two) is:
Lydia Adamiszyn

Our Second Place winner of a Cruise on Classic Vessel at New York Harbor- Friday evening sunset sail for two is:
Jane Lash

The Third Place winner of tickets to the Broadway Sho “ Blue Man Group” ( for two) is:
Lawrence Boyle

Our Fourth and Fifth Place winners for Ten tickets to the New York Mets versus the Padres on August 21st is :
Blaise Fitzpatrick
Phyllis Torry

Our ten sixth Place winners of a one year subscription to the New York Lotto Game are:
James Nederlander
Lilli Ann Liell
Sandra Nowaski
Michelle Eastmer
Robert Phillips
Kathryn Richardson
Angela Russo
Fahd Ibrahim
Stephan and Elaine Mark
Maureen Riley

Congratulations to The Studio, our Top Corporate Team led by team captain Bob Elliot and supported by the efforts of The Studio’s members.

Congratulations to Odd Todd’s Ducky Ducks, our Top Community Team, led by team captain Odd Todd .

We are so appreciative of their efforts and the efforts of all our teams.

Thanks for your support and we hope that you were a lucky duck. We hope to see all 2007 participants and teams next year! And you're all invited to see the impact your generosity has on the lives of our athletes. We have many competitions throughout the year and our athletes love fans! Visit our website www.specialolympicsNY.org for more information.

If you are a lucky duck, please contact Pelin Cebi by email at: pcebi@nyso.org or by phone at: (212) 661-5217.

Milo's last stop with Brooklyn Borough president Markowitz

Milo the Million Dollar Duck's Manhattan Migration, down to the South Street Seaport in time to join over 25,000 of his little rubber friends for a race in the East River on Monday, August 6th for the Million Dollar Duck Race to benefit Special Olympics New York, concludes…


Milo visited the Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz earlier this week. The Brooklyn Borough President is a big fan of Special Olympics New York and Milo wanted to say personally hello to Borough President Markowitz. Milo was delighted that Borough President Markowitz greeted him at the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Milo wanted to challenge himself for his last journey to the South Street Seaport and decided to cross the Brooklyn Bridge. He was very determined to make it through and take his place at South Street Seaport to get his ducks in a row for Monday's event. Before Milo was ready to move his yellow-feathered wings towards the Seaport, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz shook Milo’s fluffed wings and wished him luck for his long journey.

Milo will be down at the Seaport all day Monday to meet, greet and sell ducks. Coincidentally, Monday is both the Million Dollar Duck Race to benefit Special Olympics New York AND Milo's birthday. Milo hopes that you will come to celebrate the day he quacked out of his shell. Looking for a gift idea? At the top of his wish list: BUY DUCKS to benefit Special Olympics New York. http://www.2007duckrace.kintera.org/

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! We only have one day left and still haven't reached our fundraising goal. Please put a smile on Milo's beak and adopt a duck and/or forward this email to a flock of your friends. Proceeds from the 2007 Million Dollar Duck Race will help Special Olympics New York provide quality athletic trainings and competitions FREE of charge to athletes. Please help us make this event an unprecedented success!

Online and phone duck sales close at 1:00 PM on Monday; duck sales in person at the Seaport are open until 5:30 PM. Visit http://www.specialolympicsNY.org/ or call our duck hotline (212) 490-1062.

We hope you will join us at South Street Seaport on MONDAY to cheer on the ducks and MEET MILO THE MILLION DOLLAR DUCK IN PERSON! Please call for details or visit our website.

DUCK SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! This week Milo the Million Dollar Duck embarks on his annual Manhattan Migration to South Street Seaport for the 2007 Million Dollar Duck Race to benefit Special Olympics New York. He has until Monday, August 6th to tour Manhattan, stop at some hot spots and pay a visit or two before joining over 25,000 of his little rubber friends for a race in the East River.

Today he visited CBS early show. Above you see Milo with Special Olympics New York athletes on 5th Avenue at the plaza. Manhattan migration downtown is not an easy one but he is a duck of the world and looks forward to spreading the news of Special Olympics during his travels. If you spot Milo in the coming weeks, let us know! He'll be on TV, on the radio, in the newspaper and at some of the New York City's most recognizable spots. But watch out for decoys!

In the meantime, he encourages each of you to log on http://www.2007duckrace.kintera.org to adopt a duck or start a team with friends, family or colleagues. You never know, you may be a lucky duck and win a million dollars or other great prizes! Stay tuned for more stops on Milo's Migration to the race...

The 2007 Million Dollar Duck Race to benefit Special Olympics New York is sponsored by the New York Lottery, Mitsui USA, American Airlines, Daily News, Financial Times, WABC, and Radio Disney.

For more information about the Duck Race, to start a team or to adopt ducks please go to or http://www.2007duckrace.kintera.org/ or call the duck hotline at (212) 490-1062.To schedule a visit from Milo to your company or neighborhood please contact his agentPelin at pcebi@nyso.org or (212) 661-5217.

19th Annual Metro Tournament

Save the Date: 19th Annual Metro Tournament, on Saturday, June 2nd, Riverbank State Park, 145th Street & Riverside Drive in Manhattan.

The 19th annual Metro Tournament will begin with Opening Ceremonies at 10:00 a.m. Competition will run from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30p.m. at Riverbank State Park at 145th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The Olympic Town will have music, games, arts and crafts, along with many other attractions throughout the day.

The Metro Tournament is the largest Special Olympics competition in New York City, attracting more than 1,000 athletes and their coaches and representing all five boroughs, Long Island, Hudson Valley and Connecticut. In addition, hundreds of family members, friends and corporate sponsors turn out to cheer and encourage the athletes and help raise needed revenues and awareness.

The 2007 Metro Tournament sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are currently available.
For more information please visit www.specialolympicsNY.org or contact Special Olympics New York, New York City Region at 212-661-3963

Tune in this Sunday morning, May 20, 2007, for two Special Olympics - NYC radio interviews:

*4:30 a.m. -5 a.m. 101.1 JACK-FM's Al Meredith features a half-hour show on Special Olympics New York with Michelle LeMay Santiago, Regional Director, Special Olympics New York, New York City Region and Anthony Hasan, a multiple Gold Medal award winning Special Olympics Athlete. The show can also be heard during the same time period on the worldwide web via JACK-FM's homepage at www.ilikejack.com. The interview focuses on Anthony's experience as a s Special Olympics athlete and talks about the June 2 Metro Tournament at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan.

*7 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Z100's David Brody assembles a panel of guests representing Special Olympics New York City, including: Michelle LeMay Santiago, Regional Director, Special Olympics NY; Matt Sapolin, Commissioner, NYC Mayor's Office for Persons with Disabilities; Marla Greenspan, Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle; Gary Greenspan, Executive Vice President, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.; Valerie Romero, Special Olympics athlete and Bill White, Valerie Romero's coach. The show explores a variety of topics, including: an Overview of Special Olympics and its history; Highlights of some of the great accomplishments/achievements of SO athletes; Dispelling of the myth: Special Olympians have jobs, create things, are a part of society, etc.; Upcoming NYC Special Olympics events, and a Call to Action for listeners to get involved.

SAVE THE DATE : Monday, June 11th
Golf Classic to benefit Special Olympics New York , Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck , NY.
Toyota and Time, Inc. partner with Special Olympics New York to create the Special Olympics Golf Classic at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck , the prestigious home of the 2006 US Open. Proceeds from the tournament go directly towards providing equipment, training, and competitions for over 23,000 Special Olympics athletes in the New York City region .This seventeen year partnership has long been a source of pride for Special Olympics New York, Toyota and Time, Inc.
This is a day of sun, fun, good food, great company and, of course, some of the best golf around. A day at Winged Foot is also the perfect opportunity for client entertainment and best of all you're supporting Special Olympics in the process. We hope that you will join us.
Opportunity for sponsorship, employee foursomes, gift bag and raffle item don ation as well as journal ads. Register online hereDownload the registration form
Clare F. Healy Director of Development, Corporate Relations & Special Events- Special Olympics New York 211 East 43rd Street , 12th Floor New York , NY 10017 (212) 661-5217

Spotlight on Special Olympics Benefit

Welcome Letter from Richard Salinardi:

I can't believe it's been 35 years since we started Special Olympics on Staten Island. Our program started with a few athletes (8) at the Wagner College gymnasium on a Saturday morning. We had about five volunteer coaches that first Saturday. From that first Saturday came more Saturdays and more athletes and more volunteers and coaches.

We now have over 700 athletes on Staten Island who train not only on Saturdays but each day of the week, not in one sport but in a variety of sports during the year. Our athletes train and compete in hockey, basketball, softball, swimming, powerlifting, volleyball, bocce, long distance running, golf and equestrian.

Our athletes have traveled and competed all over New York State as well as the United States - Alaska, North Carolina, Iowa, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and all over the world- Austria, Greece and this year one of our athletes is going to compete in the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China.

We have now grown into the greater region of New York City, which includes all of the boroughs. This will increase our ability to have more competitions for our athletes and also add many more resources to help our program.

We have come a long way since that first Saturday meeting at Wagner College 35 years ago due chiefly because of our great volunteers, coaches and community organizations on Staten Island that have continuously supported Special Olympics year after year.

We can't thank you all enough.

Sincerely,

Richard Salinardi
Chairman of the Board

Spotlight on Special Olympics celebrated
Special Olympics's 35th Anniversary in New York City
&
Al Lambert's 45th year in show business

OnThursday, March 22, 2007 Special Olympics New York (SONY) – New York City Region held a full dinner and theater show featuring Al Lambert. The event raised nearly $50,000 to support the continued efforts of the Special Olympics throughout New York City.

The event was at The Old Bermuda Inn on Staten Island. More than 430 people attended the evening. The successful evening included a 50/50 raffle, a live show featuring Al Lambert in "A Tribute to O1'Blue Eyes" with arrangements by Tim Quimette & his Big Band and dinner. Special Olympics had this dinner fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics' 35th year of sports competition in New York City.

Sponsors of this year's first annual Spotlight on Special Olympics dinner were NYBOT Futures & Options for Kids, Goldman Sachs, MetLife,JP Morgan, Julianne and Frank Angelico, Lifestyles for the Disabled, NYSUT and friends of Al Lambert.

Richard Salinardi, Chairman of Special Olympics New York worked diligently with his committee to engage the Staten Island community to make this event successful. Spotlight on Special Olympics committee members are: Al Lambert, Beth Fromkin, Jackie Devlin, and Alice Casey.

Special Olympics New York 3rd Annual Peter Aquilone Memorial Floor Hockey Tournament

January 13, 2007 The lighting of the Olympic flame at the Special Olympics in NYC at the Javits Convention Center was a solemn moment. The crowd became quieter. It felt like a communal sacrament to the human spirit......