January 20, 2026 Newsletter

Schedule at a Glance (details below)
💳 Membership Dues for 2026 - Due in January
​📊 Finance Committee Meeting Tonight (1/20) (see below for details)
🦈Swimming Season 2026 - Practice in January 25 (see below for details)
​✨ Cosmic Christians Gathering - February 10 (see below for details)
🏀Basketball Regionals - January 25 (see below for details)
❌No Cheer Practice or Young Athlete this week due to Basketball Regionals
🤸‍♂️ Artistic Gymnastics - Saturdays at 8:00 AM (see below for details)
🎀 Rhythmic Gymnastics - No practice this week due to Basketball Regional
​
📅 Important Update:
Health History Form Requirements Effective January 1, 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, new requirements will be in place for the Health History form. Please pay close attention to the following:
If any of the below questions are answered YES, a doctor's signature will be required on a generated medical form:

• Has the athlete had a concussion in the last 30 days?
  • (Triggered by the date of concussion question)
• Has a doctor ever limited your participation in sports?
  • (Answer “Yes” only if long-term or ongoing restrictions are in place due to a medical condition. Temporary limitations do not count.)
  • If answered ‘yes,’ an additional checklist item will prompt for details on sports restrictions.

Actions Required:

• Medical Form Generation: If any questions trigger a "yes" response, a medical form will be generated and added to the athlete’s checklist on their COE profile.
• Approval Process: Athletes will not be approved until the medical form is completed, signed by a doctor, and re-uploaded into the COE.

Important Notes:

• This requirement applies only to new or edited health history forms submitted after January 1, 2026.
• Previously approved forms will remain unaffected.

Stay informed and ensure compliance to keep our athletes safe and healthy!

💲Membership Dues – January 1st 2026
💻 Pay your dues online via Square link 
All members of WLTG are due to pay at the start of the year.  
A paid membership will be required in 2026 for any sport / event / activity.

​📊 Finance Committee Meeting Tonight (1/20)
Join us for the Finance Committee Meeting tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 PM via Google Meets.
If you’re interested in being part of the committee or would like to attend the meeting, please reach out to Bob Lutz at [email protected].
We look forward to your participation!

🦈 2026 WLTG Sharks Swim Teams!
The 2026 Swimming Season starts this week  — running January through May.  Registration is closed due to capacity / safety limitations. 
📍 Location of Swimming Pool is:   Collinsville / Maryville / Troy YMCA.

Practice Schedule

• First practice for both the Developmental and Competitive groups will be Sunday, January 25th.  
• Development group will have the pool from 3PM to 4PM
• Competitive group will have the pool from 4PM to 5PM
• Please sign in and identify group

Competitive Season Schedule

• Regional Event Swim Meet - TBD late March @ Edwardsville High School Pool Facility (same as last year)
• Summer Games - State Meet - TBD mid June - @ Bloomington / Normal

​🦈 Learn More  --  Visit our Swimming Webpage
Swim Suit Fit Kits will be available at Practice for the next two practices.  
https://www.agonswim.com/teams/139499 -​ Order Form 
Let’s make waves this season, Sharks! 💙🏊‍♂️

🩰 Dance Class Schedule
See Facebook page for most up-to-date-schedule

​📌 SO Cheers - Friendly Reminders as We Head Into 2026
As we prepare for an exciting new year, we have a few important reminders for parents and guardians:
1️⃣ Please update your athlete’s availability in TeamSnap
This information is extremely important for Coach Lisa when planning practices and activities.
2️⃣ Renew your athlete’s medical information in the Athlete Portal
Keeping this up to date ensures eligibility and safety for all programs.
3️⃣ Check your email and TeamSnap chats regularly
Important updates, schedule changes, and reminders are shared through these channels.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
✨ Here’s to a wonderful and successful 2026 with WLTG! ✨

🎭 Theater Group Announcement: Cast List for Shrek: The Musical Kids! 🎉

• We’re excited to share the official cast list for Shrek: The Musical Kids! 🥳

Reminder:   Our rehearsal for the entire cast is this Saturday, January 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. During this initial meeting, we’ll cover important protocols and conduct a read-through of the script, which will be distributed at rehearsal.

• If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! 💚
• For the cast list, click here: Cast List
• Let me know if you need any changes!

🌍💙 2026 Millstadt Autism Walk - It’s a Small World 💙
🌍Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Join us for the 2026 Millstadt Autism Walk, themed "It’s a Small World," inspired by the message of unity and empathy from Disney. This year’s walk celebrates our shared humanity, reminding us that no matter our differences, we are all connected.

Participants will journey through various cultures, engaging all senses along the route. The focus is on celebration, learning, and togetherness, highlighting the strength of our close-knit Millstadt community.

✨ Volunteers Needed! ✨
We’re looking for volunteers to represent different countries or regions. Whether it's through décor, music, movement, or sensory-friendly elements, your contributions can help bring cultures to life in a joyful way.
So far, we have a local family excited to showcase Middle Eastern culture, and we aim to include areas like Holland, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, and more!

If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to Kelly. Together, we can make this walk a beautiful celebration of community and connection. Let’s hope for a sunny April day 🌞 because we all share the same sky!

🏀 Basketball!
Good Luck at Regionals this week!
The 2025–2026 basketball season practices will be held at:
📍 First Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Rd, Belleville
🕕 Skills Team: Monday at 6:00 PM
🕖 Boys Team: Monday at 7:00 PM
👧 Girls Teams: Thursday 6:00–8:00 PM
Basketball Regionals in Trenton starting at 8AM for Teams and 9AM for Skills

​⚽️ Sign Up for Soccer!
We’re excited to announce that sign-ups are now open for our soccer program! Whether you’re interested in joining a team or focusing on skills development, we welcome participants of all levels.

Please Note: We currently do not have a skills coach, so if anyone is interested in coaching soccer, we’d love to hear from you! We already have a head coach on board, but additional support would be fantastic.
Get ready to kick off a great season—sign up today!  [email protected]

​🤸‍♂️ Join Our Artistic Gymnastics Team!
When: Saturdays at 8:00 AM
Where: World Class Gymnastics
Artistic Gymnastics has begun, and we invite all levels—both male and female—to join our team! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gymnast, there's a place for you to shine. Come flip, tumble, and have fun with us!

🎀 Rhythmic Gymnastics Now Open!
When: No practice this week due to Basketball Regional --- Sundays at 10:30 AM
Where: Stealth Cheer Gym
Rhythmic Gymnastics has also started! Join us on Sundays to explore this beautiful blend of dance and gymnastics. All skill levels are welcome—come express yourself and learn new skills!

🎉 Young Athletes Program
Time:  No practice this week due to Basketball Regional  - -  Sundays 10:30 - 11:15 AM
Location: World Class Gymnastics
This program is designed for children ages 2-7 years old, with and without intellectual disabilities. We focus on developing motor, social, emotional, and learning skills through fun sports activities.
Sign up by email:  [email protected]

🧊 Want to Join the Polar Plunge at Carlyle Lake?
​Registration is open through Special Olympics Illinois and is easy to complete:

1. Visit the Special Olympics Illinois Polar Plunge website
2. Select Carlyle Lake as your plunge location
3. Create or join a team (or plunge as an individual)
4. Start fundraising and get ready to take the plunge!

📍 Plunge Location: Carlyle Lake
📅 Event Timing: February 2026 (exact date to be announced)
Whether you plunge, fundraise, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps support year-round Special Olympics programs for athletes across Illinois.
💙 Congratulations again, Jamal — and let’s make Carlyle Lake a big splash in 2026!

​🎉 Milestone Achievement: WLTG is officially a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit!
We are proud and excited to announce that Without Limits – Team Galaxy (WLTG) has officially received IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit certification.
This designation is a major milestone for our organization. 

​✨ Cosmic Christians Gathering
Join us for Cosmic Christians on
📅 Tuesday, February 10
🕡 6:30 to 7:30PM
📧 For more information or questions, please email:  [email protected]
WE have members who have formed a Christian based group who meets monthly.  All are welcome! 
Talking about your faith with friends, games, snacks, fun, community service.  
If there are any members interested in starting any other faith / spiritual based groups, please email:  [email protected]

​🍻 Join Us for the 3rd Annual Polar Pub Crawl! ❄️
Date: February 7, 2026
Location: Downtown O'Fallon, IL
Get ready to have fun for a great cause at our 3rd Annual Polar Pub Crawl, benefiting the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Illinois Region J! Join us as we support local businesses and raise a glass to our athletes, with 100% of proceeds going directly to help athletes with intellectual disabilities compete in their favorite sports and develop friendships and life skills—at no cost to their families.

• Click here to register: Register Now!

Please remember to designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service if you choose to drink. Check the attached link and flyer for full details.
Let’s crawl for a cause and make a difference together!

🙋‍♀️ WANTED!!! COACHES NEEDED!
We’re looking for passionate, energetic leaders to help our athletes shine this season!

• ✨ Athletics (Track & Field)
• ❄️ Cornhole (begins in January)

If you or someone you know is interested in coaching, please reach out to us — no prior experience required, just a big heart and a desire to make a difference!
Contact us today!!!

📲 Stay Connected with Without Limits – Team Galaxy!
Want the latest updates, event photos, practice changes, and athlete highlights?
Follow us on social media and never miss a moment!
➡️ Facebook Page WLTG: @WithoutLimitsTeamGalaxy
➡️ Facebook Group SO Cheer: @WithoutLimitsTeamGalaxySOCheer
➡️ Facebook Group WL-The Arts: @WithoutLimitsTeamGalaxyArts
➡️ Facebook Page WL Dance Co.: @WithoutLimitsTeamGalaxyDanceCo
➡️ Facebook Group WL-Parents Group: @WithoutLimitsTeamGalaxyParents
➡️ Instagram: @withoutlimits_teamgalaxy

🎉 Get behind-the-scenes looks, important reminders, and celebrate the incredible achievements of our athletes and volunteers.

👕 WLTG Merch Store – Now Open!
Check out our updated merchandise with the new logo!