Splash & Stroll to Benefit Special Olympics Connecticut

Seaside park SPLASH & STROLL to benefit Special Olympics SET For November 12^th

Bridgeport law enforcement entities will join forces with Special Olympics, WICC’s Mike Bellamy and Storm, mascot of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Hockey Team, to present the first-ever Seaside Park Splash & Stroll event benefitting Special Olympics on Saturday, November 12, 2011. All are invited to plunge into the chilly waters at Seaside Park, take a 2-mile walk along the boardwalk or do both – make a splash & go for a stroll to support Special Olympics athletes! 

Seaside Park is located at 1 Barnum Dyke (at the end of Park Avenue) in Bridgeport. Registration begins at noon. The walk starts at 1 p.m. and the plunge will take place at 2 p.m. WICC’s Mike Bellamy will host the event and Storm, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers mascot will lead the walk. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To find out more or to request a registration packet, contact Special Olympics at 203-380-9990, ext. 604 or email debbieh@soct.org.

 To register online, go to www.soct.org. Click on “event calendar”; click on “Special Events”; Go to November 12^th and click on “more” and go to the bottom of the page and hit “click here” and continue with registration. Print the waiver form and bring the signed waiver form to the event. (The waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian if a participant is under 18 years old.) The registration fee is $20.00 to walk ($10.00 for children 15 and under); $50.00 to plunge or $50.00 to walk AND plunge. All participants will receive a souvenir gift and snacks and beverages will be provided.

 Participants in the plunge should be at least 8 years old and are encouraged to wear a costume, team jersey or bathing suit. Towels and water shoes are recommended.  Walkers may be any age (children must be accompanied by an adult) and should wear comfortable clothes and shoes. No pets please.

 Companies, individuals and groups that would like to sponsor the event for $100 will be recognized with their name on a sign in the sand. For a donation of $500, six signs with the donor’s name will be displayed along the walk path.

 The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities; giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness , demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Through their participation in Special Olympics, individuals demonstrate that there are no limits to human potential or the human spirit. In Connecticut, more than 6,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate and more than 50 competitions are held annually. For more information, visit www.soct.org or call 203-380-9990.