February 11th Newsletter

Events / Activities / Updates

Upcoming Events:

• Feb 22 – Carlyle Lake Polar Plunge
• Feb 28 – Collinsville Dumpster Plunge

Please join us for either event! To register as a plunger, go to www.plungeillinois.com

• Swimming: March 29 at The Chuck Fruit Aquatics Center in Edwardsville. Coaches:  Entries due Feb. 26.
• Spring Games: April 27 at Triad High School. Coaches: 
  Entries due March 26.
• Gymnastics: May 3 at ***NEW LOCATION*** Greenville University Gymnastics, 1450 E City Rte 40, Greenville, IL 
  Coaches: Entries Due April 2.

 
SUMMER GAMES: June 20-22, 2025 in Bloomington/Normal. If you anticipate your attendance this year, we strongly suggest reserving a hotel room now!

2025 Membership Dues are Due
Its a new year and with a the new year comes our membership dues.  
To complete your 2025 Membership Dues, please visit our online Square to make your payment!  

Bingo Fun Night!!!  February 14th
Join us from 6-9pm on Friday, February 14th for our Bingo Fun Night!
The event will be held at the Swansea Moose Lodge 1221 at 2425 N. Illinois Street.

• We will be serving Chicken, Mac n Cheese and Dessert.
• The event is free for all 2025 Paid Without Limits-Team Galaxy members and $5 for non-members.
• Any person with Special Needs is welcome. 
• **We are asking all that attend to bring at least two canned goods that will be donated to
• local children in need**
• YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO ATTEND

2025 Event Dates & Deadlines Website Links

• 2025 Special Olympics of IL Event Dates & Deadlines 
• Fun Nights for 2025 - Schedules​​

Without Limits-Team Galaxy is invited to support the Southern Illinois Ice Hawks

• Sunday (16 February) at the McKendree Metro Plex. 
• The game is at 3:00. 
• Keygen is chasing the record for most goals in a season. 
• Wear something Without Limits-Team Galaxy. 
• It is a way to give back to the IceHawks for supporting our Floor Hockey team.

Millstadt Autism Walk 2025

• This year's Millstadt Autism Walk is Saturday April 5th, 2025 at 12pm
• Millstadt Village Park
• Walk Shirts must be purchased by Wednesday March 19th. Your purchase is your registration for the Walk. 
• Shirt pick up is Wednesday April 2nd and Thursday April 3rd, 4-7 at Otts Tavern.
• If not able to pick up at that time, shirts can be picked up at the event.

Event Attractions

• Food Trucks
• Kettle Corn
• Mrs Sipp Fresh Craft Mocktails
• Inflatables
• Bubble Station
• Game Truck
• Sensory and STEAM activities
• Ainad Krazy Klowns
• Shriners Children’s Hospital Screening Clinic
• Fire Trucks and Ambulance
• Family Resources
• Raffles including a 50/50 drawing
• Star Wars Characters
• Bluey and Bingo
• Skye and Chase from Paw Patrol
• We Rock the Spectrum Edwardsville
• Without Limits Special Olympics Cheerleaders
• Millstadt Tiny Library
• And more!

Proceeds from the event will go to the Without Limits Special Olympics Teams
and to continue support of inclusive programs, families, and the community.
Link to purchase Walk Shirt….
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Spirit Wear
Below is a link to our spirit wear fundraiser for Without Limits-Team Galaxy sports teams https://warriorlogowear.com/team_galaxy/shop
Please check it out and feel free to place your order! To order, all you must do is open an account and place your order.  
Thank you so much for supporting Without Limits-Team Galaxy!!

2025 Polar Plunge
It's Freezing for a Reason Season!! That's right its time to sign up for the 2025 Polar Plunge. Grab your plunge team and head out to one of our local Plunge sites. All you have to do is click the link below to get started.  Register for either the Collinsville Dumpster plunge on 2/28/25 or Carlyle Lake on 2/22/24. Let's make the 2025 Polar Plunge season one for the books. Register to plunge, join a team, and start fundraising today. Happy Plunge Season!!
https://plungeillinois.com/  --  Happy Shopping! https://willpromo.com/soill_plunge/shop/home

“The Evening of Entertainment – A Competitive Spotlight on Abilities”
Benefits the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis

• See Link for Flyer
• Saturday, March 29, 2025 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Performance Application – DUE by February 28, 2025
• Ladue Horton Watkins High School, 1201 South Warson Dr., St. Louis, MO 63124

Come Join Us for this Family-Friendly Event Highlighting the Wonderful Talent of Individuals with Disabilities. This Will Be an Evening You Will Not Forget!
​
Sponsored by Access-4-All, LLC to benefit the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, a not-for-profit organization which works to ensure that individuals with disabilities are aware of and have opportunities to participate in leisure and recreation activities of their choice. Funds raised will provide scholarships for recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.

To Learn More About the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis Go to:  www.RecreationCouncil.org  or call 314-726-6044

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Dance / Cheer / Gymnastics

Artistic Gymnastics

• Sundays 9:00-10:00am
• Gateway Elite Gymnastics -- 700 Old Collinsville Road / Fairview Heights, IL 62208
• First practice: January 26th

Rhythmic Gymnastics:

• Wednesdays
• 5:15 pm Group 1
• 6:00 pm Group 2 
• Stars R Us Dance Studio / 9241 B Bellar Dr., / Mascoutah, IL

Dance Scheduling  --  Choreography / Practice Scheduling
See the latest schedule on the "Without Limits - The Arts" Facebook page!!

If your dancer needs to be scheduled, please contact Kati Hassall.  Those who wish to compete with solo please also let Kati know.  www.facebook.com/groups/1523704431426648
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Dance classes have resumed!!!
The schedule will be as follows:

• Friendly reminder of the schedule for this week - I added the elementary class back in, so please note some slight time changes.
  • 5:30-6 - Boys, 10+ 6-6:35
  • Elementary, 9 & younger 6:35-7:05
  • Girls, 10+ 7:05-7:35
  • Nats / Comp team 7:35
  • 8:05- solo 1
  • 8:05-8:35 - solo2

If you need a solo or dance choreographed, or need to schedule a private time with Kati, please let her know!  It will be important that solos are practiced at home since Kati will only have time to do 2 solos a week and they need to alternate.

Theater Schedule for this Week
March schedule will be out soon.

Please join the FB group for the arts for further info.   Auditions are now closed. rehearsals are at Stars studio in Mascoutah.
Saturday, February 15th at 10:30am, Work on pgs. 20-22
People Needed:

• - Mr. Mayor
• - Mrs. Mayor
• - Jojo
• - Cats (1-3)

Saturday, February 22nd at 10:30am, Work on pgs. 22-29
People needed:

• - Jojo
• - Cats (1-3)
• - Fish

Nutcracker & Theater & Dance Updates - Exciting News for 2025!  From Kati!!!
See the latest schedule on the "Without Limits - The Arts" Facebook page!!

Hello Dancers and Families!
I have some exciting updates and important dates to share with you. Let’s dive right in!
Nutcracker 2025:

• Rehearsals Begin: June 2025  
• Performance Date: December 2025  
• Nutcracker Tea: Prior to the performance – an opportunity for friends and family to take pictures and meet our beloved characters! Date to be announced.  

Important Nutcracker Notes:

• If you were assigned a part and wish to keep it, **let me know ASAP.**
• If you were assigned a part but no longer want to participate, **let me know ASAP.**
• If you were not originally cast but want to participate, **let me know ASAP.** I would love to include you!
• We are returning to the original Nutcracker version – forget any new choreography you may have started. We’re going back to the classic!  

Choreography Help Needed:

• I’m scheduling choreography now and need a few more people to help finish by February 2025. If you need choreography, please let me know!  
• Also, if you have any recordings of past choreography I’ve done, please send them my way. I lost my iPad with all my choreography notes! :(  

Nationals Team - Addiction Nationals (Chicago)

• Dates: June 24-29, 2025  
• Cost: Approximately $150/dancer  
• Location: Chicago  
• You will handle your own hotel and travel bookings.
• You won’t need to stay all 4 days, but I’ll confirm our performance dates closer to time. Award days may differ from performance days. I’ll share the schedule as soon as I have it!

Solos/Duets

• Recital or Competition: Let me know if you want to compete or just perform at the recital.
• Addiction Nationals (Chicago): Solos/duets welcome! Approximate cost: $200/dancer
• Addiction Regional (St. Louis): May 9-11, 2025  
  • Cost: Around $150/solo or $75/dancer in duets  

Competition Team

• Addiction Regional (St. Louis):  May 9-11, 2025  
• Cost: About $60/dancer for group routines  

Recital 2025

• When: June 2025
• Each dancer will perform in every class they participate in. Exact date coming soon!  

Seussical Auditions
Missed out on audition materials for Seussical? Let me know and I’ll send them to you right away!

General Reminders: 

• Stay tuned to our Facebook page for class updates.  
• We follow Mascoutah school cancellations – if they’re closed, so are we. 

​Fundrive - Update & Reminder for SO Cheer!
Next Fundrive is scheduled for February 28th.  Lets see if we can beat December's amount of 6742 pounds of donated clothing and items!  We always need help loading and unloading the box truck.  If you're available, please help in February.  More details to follow.  

Cardinals Nation Family Night with Fredbird

• Without Limits Special Olympic Cheer Team
• Wednesday, February 19th, 2025
• Kids Eat Free / Meet Fredbird / Games & Prizes
• Make your reservations at Cardinalsnation.com
• 15% of your bill will be donated back when you mention our group's name.
• One free kids meal per adult meal purchased.  Dine in only.  For kids under 12 years old.  

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​Sports & Athletics

Winter Games - 2025 Galena -- Happening NOW
Good luck to all our Winter Athletes this week as they run, ski and snowshoe in 10 degree weather.  Look for photos and announcements of winners later this week
More than 450 athletes will compete in this three-day event to show off their winning form.

Information | Event Details | Opening Ceremony | Dinner Downtown | Reception | Documents

NEW Registration Portal - For Athletes (Especially Basketball & Swimming)
A new Special Olympics Registration Portal has now been launched!  And we need you to add your athlete!  

This portal will be a place for you to register your athlete (this will now replace paper documents),  engage with the larger Special Olympics organization, manage your athlete's medical information and find out about upcoming events and opportunities.

To get started, we'd ask that you visit this portal here and follow the instructions on the attached document. You will also complete a one-page version of the Medical Application (no doc signature needed) plus a new consent form.  Once you've completed your registration you'll be able to manage your information!  If you have two athletes, you will need to complete a "Add New Athlete" for both.  Save your new username and password!  

This is a mandatory request for any existing athlete and needs to be done ASAP.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Snow Shoe

• ​Winter Games will be on February 11 - 13, 2025 in Galena.  See some details above. 

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​Sharks Swimming Team - 2025 
What a start to Shark season this past Sunday! We more than doubled our SO swim teams this year! A huge thanks to all the volunteers, parents and of course Collinsville Maryville Troy YMCA! Go Sharks!!!

• Practice for both the Developmental and Competitive groups will continue Sunday,  February 9th.  Super Bowl parties can wait (kidding...)   
• Development group will have the pool from 3PM to 4PM
• Competitive group will have the pool from 4PM to 5PM
• We are aware there are others who wish to join the teams, but unfortunately, we are at both facility and coverage capacity for our teams this year.   We will look into additional help for next season.  

Basketball

• Three skills and three teams are all going to state for basketball on March 7th through 9th.  
• Coaches - Please submit State paperwork to Rich C. ASAP.  
• State is March 7th through 9th 2025

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Soccer Teams & Skills

• Interested in Soccer Team and/or Skill - Read this letter!
• Spring Parents meeting will be held on February 19th at 6PM at Leu Civic Center
• Will begin last week of February either Tuesday or Thursday
• WLTG will be hosting a mini-tournament on March 22nd at Mascoutah High School
• Regional will be held on April 27th.  

Athletic Teams / Track & Field

• Interested in Athletic Teams /  Track & Field - Read this letter!
• Spring Parents meeting will be held on February 19th at 6PM at Leu Civic Center
• Will begin last week of February 
• Location will be Mascoutah High School on Wednesdays at 6PM

Tennis 2025
Without Limits-Team Galaxy is taking an interest list for tennis, which will start the first week of April.

• Practices are held on Saturday mornings.
• Without Limits-Team Galaxy needs to know the number of athletes so they can assure they have enough coaches and possible Unified partner
• If interested in one of those sports, please contact us at [email protected]

Interested in Bags?  Cornhole? Kickball?  Handball?
WLTG is looking to find out what the interest is in Cornhole (bags), kickball and handball.
Cornhole is a Unified and traditional sport.

• Handball is a sport like soccer and basketball. A demonstration will be done to show the game.
• We are trying to find out if parents or athletes would be interested in Unified soccer. It would have its own season during the summer.
• State for Unified soccer is in September 2015​ .