July 8, 2009
Ann Plegue: Behind the Scenes of a Water Warrior
Ann Plegue
Ever wonder what it’s like to tough it out on Lake Huron for 350 miles on a personal watercraft? “I’ll admit, you have to be a little bit crazy to do this,” said Ann Plegue. Ann, of Fair Haven, is one of dozens of riders set to take off July 20 in the 19th annual Water Warriors Endurance Ride. The Water Warriors take on 350 miles of Lake Huron on personal watercraft to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan athletes.
Ann Plegue (right) Enjoying a Ride on the support boat with two athletes
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Ann’s involvement with the Water Warriors started in 1995. She joined the group just a year after her husband, Dennis Plegue. Ann was the Water Warriors event coordinator for eight years and served on the Water Warriors Board of Directors for 14 years. MORE
Amerisure Provides Ongoing Support for State Summer Sports Classic
Amerisure Insurance helps insure the success of the Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Sports Classic with financial and volunteer support. The 2009 event takes place on July 17th and 18th and would not be  possible without Amerisure’s help. “We’ve been doing it about seven or eight years now,” said Doug Kinnan, Chief Financial Officer of Amerisure Insurance. Kinnan had a personal interest in getting his company involved with Special Olympics Michigan. “I serve on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics and I have a daughter involved with Special Olympics,” said Kinnan. “We wanted to find an opportunity for the company to use it’s contribution for an event and also have the employees get out and do some volunteering. This is an exciting opportunity for the employees.”
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Athlete Spotlight on Matt McNett, Area 10
Matt McNett (#14) and Team
When it comes to sports, many athletes focus only on winning. That is not the case for Area 10 athlete Matt McNett of Caro. He stands by the Special Olympics oath, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”  “Matt is not concerned about winning, but only doing his best and making sure others try their hardest,” said Eddie Crosby, Area 10 Director. “You will never hear Matt complain about losing and he gives credit to others when they win.” MORE
Brittany Kelpin Throws 1st Pitch
Athlete Brittany Kelpin Threw The First Pitch at the Detroit Tigers Game on July 6.
Athlete Brittany Kelpin (center) with her grandmother (left) and a nieghbor (right) at the Detroit Tigers Game July 6, 2009
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At the start of the Detroit Tigers game Monday, July 6, all eyes were on Brittany Kelpin, a Special Olympics Michigan Area 15 athlete. Brittany threw the ceremonial first pitch! To perfect her pitch, she practiced every day for three weeks leading up to the game. Brittany was a bit shy and apprehensive when she first stepped onto the field. But it didn’t take long for her excitement to shine through and the crowd cheered for her, especially when she threw a successful pitch! First base coach Andy Van Slyke caught the pitch. It marked the beginning of “A Night at the Ballpark”, a ticket fundraiser hosted by the Tigers. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Special Olympics Michigan athletes. Brittany is from Rochester in Oakland County. She competes in speed skating, poly hockey, swimming, softball and basketball. After throwing the pitch, Van Slyke autographed the ball and Brittany was able to take it home. MORE
Barb Siira Volunteer Award Recipient
For more than 35 years, Barb Siira has been involved with Special Olympics Michigan. On October 23, 2009 during the Upper Peninsula Nonprofit Conference at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, she will be recognized for those years of service. Barb was chosen from a field of 38 nominees as one of the recipients of the first-ever U.P. Service Awards.
Barb’s involvement with Special Olympics Michigan began in 1972 when she was a college student. She has been highly involved with the program in the Upper Peninsula and took over as Area 39 Director in 1993. She has served in that capacity ever since. Barb organized and continues to run the U.P. Regional Bocce and Golf tournament every September. Area 39 provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for 114 persons with intellectual disabilities in most of the 22 official sports offered by Special Olympics Michigan. Barb is certified in 17 of those 22 sports. MORE
Ride For the Gold Event
Athletes and others gather during the Ride for the Gold event.
Riders Cruise on a Beautiful Day for Ride for the Gold
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The 5th annual Ride for the Gold on June 27th struck gold for Special Olympics Michigan athletes! The motorcycle ride for Area 17 (Van Buren, Berrien and Cass Counties) brought in more than $8500.00, with checks still coming in! Area 17 Director Barb Brown said; “They raised $37,130.00 the last four years, bringing the total right now to over $45,000.00. We are so thrilled and I am still writing thank you notes, which is a good thing!” MORE
Nice Things People Say….
“My son Erik received a hearing screening at state summer games and yesterday I received the results in the mail. It showed he needed treatment (he is under doctor’s care for ears and hearing aides). Anyway we really appreciated the follow up. I think it is wonderful that screenings are done for dental, hearing, eyesight etc. There are many athletes in our Area 24 that do not have the ability to have screenings done accept during State Games. What a great service!”
Thanks,
Cindy Boerema, Ludington. MORE
Special Olympics Michigan Wish List
 Please email SOMI if you can help with any of these needs.
- 2 Office Chairs
- New or slightly used vehicle
- Copy Paper
- Colored Paper
- Ink Pens
- 3 Ring Binders
- File Folders
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Support SOMI
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Looking for Bowlers:
What: Bowl-A-Thon for Area 32
When: July 18
Where: Parkview Bowling Lanes, Cadillac
Time: 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Contact: Sue Schuster
(231) 885-2580 by July 11
Upcoming Events
July 11
AMVETS Post 57 & Wertz Warriors Golf Outing
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
July 17-18
State Summer Sports Classic
Ypsilanti & Canton
July 18
Bowl-a-Thon Fundraiser
Cadillac
July 18
Area 27 Golf Outing
Hawk Meadows in Howell
July 19-24
Water Warriors Endurance Ride
Lake Huron Shoreline
Mackinaw City to Harsens Island
July 21
Tawas Bay Steak Fry Fundraiser
Tawas City
July 23
Water Warriors - 1st Annual Pig Roast
Bridge Harbor Marina
July 23-25
2009 Special Olympics Summer Games
Windsor, Ontario
July 25
Gopher the Gold
Shelby Twp
July 25
LETR Torch Ride
Coldwater
July 29
10th annual Wertz Warriors Poker Run
Harrison Township
Click here to Pledge
Dates Announced for
2009 Miles for Medals
September 26, 2009
Roscommon Walk – Kirtland
Community College
St. Joseph Walk – St. Joseph High School
Bay City Walk -- Carroll Park
October 3rd, 2009
Traverse City Walk – Tart Trail
October 4th, 2009
Wayne County Walk – Heritage Park in Taylor
October 10, 2009
CMU Miles for Medals – Mount Pleasant
Oakland/Macomb Walk – Dodge Park
October 17, 2009
Big Rapids Walk - Crossroad Charter Academy Track
Iosco County Walk - OHS Track
October 18, 2009
Grand Rapids Combined Walk - Aquinas College
TBD
Centreville Walk – Glen Oaks Community College
2009 Summer Games T-shirts
Click here to purchase a summer games t-shirt for just $15 (includes shipping).
Links to articles on Special Olympics Michigan
13th annual Lake St. Clair Fun Run aids Special Olympics Michigan (Times Herald - June 25, 2009)
Healthy Athletes is a program designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness through clinical screening and referral services. The Healthy Athletes program is based on the idea that good health promotes a positive, successful sports experience. The Healthy Athletes Village is offered with qualified volunteers, free of charge to athletes, during State Summer Games and includes vision screenings, dental screenings, hearing screenings, medical exams, foot and ankle screenings as well as informational presentations, on-site nutritional advice and healthy treats.
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