This morning Good Morning America Announces URAA! Prior to the 2015 Summer World Games in Los Angeles, there will be a Unified Relay Across America (URAA) that takes the Flame of Hope from Athens, Greece and brings it to the United States. From there, the flame will be separated into three separate torches. Athletes, volunteers, fans and law enforcement will take these torches and run it across the United States following three different routes to help deliver their torch to Los Angeles in time for the Opening Ceremony.
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Learn more about how YOU can get involved with Special Olympics Pennsylvania during the Unified Relay Across America by clicking here!
Registration has opened for the first-ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America (URAA) presented by Bank of America. The Unified Relay will give anyone in the country a chance to carry the Flame of Hope that will be lit in Athens, Greece and help deliver it to Los Angeles for the Special Olympics World Games. Over the course of 46 days, in a hand-to-hand exchange, over 20,000 participants will run, walk or bike a segment of the relay in this team and individual fundraising event as it passes through all 50 states.
The Pennsylvania set of legs will begin on June 4th. The relay will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles on July 25, 2015. ESPN, the official broadcaster of the World Games, will produce the Opening Ceremony live as well as a nightly highlights program throughout the nine-day event.
Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America
ANYONE can be a torchbearer in the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America. Over 20,000 participants expected to take part as torchbearers.
Across the U.S – Over the course of 46 days, in a hand-to-hand exchange, torchbearers will run, bike, walk, rollerblade or roll a segment of the relay in this team and individual fundraising event. The Unified Relay will have three simultaneous routes, Northern, Central and Southern, and will pass through all 50 states.
May 26 – July 10
Funds raised from the Unified Relay will go to Special Olympics to provide sports training, competition opportunities and additional programming that empowers people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all.
Register as a team or individual at http://www.unifiedrelay.org/
Each Unified Relay route will be led by a group of co-captains, including media personalities, actors, musicians, athletes and Special Olympics athletes like PA’s very own Johanna Schoeneck.Co-captains will serve as spokespeople for the Special Olympics movement and the Unified Relay, encouraging participation through registration, fundraising and spectatorship.
Johanna Schoeneck
Unified Relay Across America Co-Captain, Northern Route
Current hometown: Cogan Station, Pennsylvania
Johanna has competed at the local, state and international levels of Special Olympics. She represented the United States at the 2011 Special Olympics World Games in Athens, Greece in her favorite sport, equestrian.
With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games – being staged in Los Angeles July 25 – August 2, 2015 – will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. Visit http://www.la2015.org/ for more information.
Click here to find out what athletes and volunteers will represent Pennsylvania at the Games.
The 2015 Eastern Plunge: A Freezin’ Success! The Polar Plunge went swimmingly – no pun intended- on Saturday at Neshaminy State Park! Over 500 people came out to support Special Olympics and all were Freezin’ for a Reason! Major event partners were out in full force like Dunkin’ Donuts, Aerotek and the Law Enforcement Torch Run supporters. It was perfect weather for the occasion and we couldn’t be more thrilled with its turnout.
This event raised over $110,000, a percentage of which comes right here to the Philadelphia program! SOPA Philly is looking forward to being more involved in 2016 and earning an even larger percentage for our athletes and program. Check out these incredible photos, from your warm location, that really captured the day! Thank you to Cathy Poston from Tristate Media Productions for taking and sharing these photographs!
On Wednesday, January 21, Speedos, Policemen and Fox29 got together to participate in a Pre-Plunge at Neshaminy State Park Quincy and Chris O’Connell of Fox29 met up at Neshaminy State Park to pre-plunge in anticipation of the big East Plunge taking place this Saturday! Supporters of Special Olympics joined in this pre-event dip wearing anything from itsy bitsy speedos, to full on police uniforms!
Think you’ve got what it takes? Be sure to join us on Saturday, January 24 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem to PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS!! Registration available onsite! To find out more about the Eastern Polar Plunge, visit www.PlungePA.org.
Too chicken too plunge? That’s okay, we still love you! Come on out and support SOPA Philly anyway!
For more information about the plunge, visit www.PlungePA.org
It’s going to be an incredible 2015 for Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia and what better way to start off a new year than by Freezin’ for a Reason at the 2015 Polar Plunge – THE OFFICIAL EVENT OF WINTER!
This 7-year tradition is taking place at Neshaminy State Park (3401 State Rd., Bensalem, PA 19020) on Saturday, January 24th from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Individuals from all walks of life are committing to raise $50 or more to Plunge their hearts out for thousands of Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes!
So get a thrill from the chill and join us!
SOPA Philly Receives AHPERD Award for promoting youth fitness
SOPA Philly Receives AHPERD Award. On May 30, 2014, Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia program received the Legislative Honor Award selected by the local association of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (PSAHPERD). SOPA Philly received the award at their annual awards banquet. The Legislative Honor Award recognizes a person, group or organization from outside the profession who has supported and promoted the mission and goals of PSAHPERD. This recognition goes a long way in showcasing the efforts and strides being made by our Philadelphia program and the positive impact it’s having in our community.
Special Olympics Philadelphia could not be more thankful and honored to have been chosen for this award. We appreciate the continued support and efforts of our staff, athletes, volunteers and community in the promotion of our mission and look forward to our bright future!
19 athletes represented Philadelphia in the 2010 Eastern Bowling Sectional on Sunday, April 11, 2010. Our athletes all competed as singles in Allentown, PA.
Trexler Middle School, Allentown, PA Rose Bowl Lanes, Allentown, PA Parkway Lanes, Allentown, PA Mountainville Lanes, Allentown, PA
1st Place |
James Barbour, Stephanie Cooper, Pamela Galone, Michael Mullen, Sheila Stevens, William Tews, Charles Zisette |
2nd place |
Raymond Anderson, John Kulpa, Heather Lutts |
3rd Place |
Russell Barndt, Siobhan Driscoll,Michael Esposito, Eugene Riley, Angela Smith |
4th Place |
Rosemary Furlong, Michael O’Donnell, Edmund Zakrocki |
5th Place |
Vernon Mayfield |
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