March 10 - Newsletter

Events / Activities / Updates

Introducing "Community Stars"
This is to get our members a chance to let the community know how awesome we are and that we love to give back. 

We have been involved in the past with different projects. Now it is a goal to get more members involved no matter what you do in Without Limits - Team Galaxy (sports, cheer, dance, theater and for those still deciding what they want to be involved in).

March was the Empty Soup Bowl Luncheon in O’Fallon.

• We made a soup and four members helped out by greeting people, passing out water and bread, clearing tables and socializing with many others.
• A great time by all and we will be back next year!
• Come join us!  Contact Bonnie for details!

March mission is to collect diapers for the Metrorast Diaper Bank. Operation Diaper Drop for March is going on now. 

• Needs are diapers and wipes. Please bring diapers, wipes, monetary donations work also. 
• Below is an Amazon Registry and it will come to my house so no worries. 
•  https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/7EJLYMXP6E14

Caring for Families

• This is for parents and anyone who takes care of someone. Support Group focus. 
• We are taking an interest poll so let us know and we will get back to you. 
• For contact info - it’s at the time or in person when you see us!

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!  

2025 Event Dates & Deadlines Website Links

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

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….
​
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 Home Builders and Remodelers Expo performance
So much fun today!!! Amazing SO Cheer performance at the 2025 Home Builders and Remodelers Expo!! Thank you for everyone who came out to the event and a special thanks to Shannon for inviting us again this year!!

“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

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

A huge thank you to our Without Limits - Team Galaxy Community Stars!!! Our first O’Fallon Empty Soup Bowl and they did an awesome job. Planning on coming back next year. And a big shout out to the moms that helped out too. Couldn’t have done it without you □ Anyone wanting to participate in the Without Limits - Team Galaxy Community Stars community service events, leave a message or contact Bonnie Harper. Thank you Bonnie for heading this and giving our members opportunities to give back to our communities!!!

Dance / Theater / Gymnastics / Cheer

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!!

This week will be TAP
Aaron M.  @ 7
Jennifer H. @ 730

Reminder.... No Theater Practice this week.

Theater Schedule for rest of March
Saturday, March 15th, 10:30am, Work on pgs 35-38 "The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude Mcfuzz"
People needed:

• Cats (all)
• Gertrude Mcfuzz

Saturday, March 22nd, 10:30am, Work on pgs 38-47 "Monkey Around / Chasing the Whos"
People needed:

• Jojo
• Cats (all)
• Jungle Citizens (all)
• Wickersham Brothers (all)
• Horton
• Sour Kangaroo
• Vlad Vladikoff

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

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! :(  

St. Louis 2 -- 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  

Recital 2025

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

General Reminders: 

• Stay tuned to our Facebook page for class updates.  
• We follow Mascoutah school cancellations – if they’re closed, so are we. 
• Purchase your "SO-Cheer Gear" today!!!

The Merch Store is Open with new Logo
Follow the link and order today!

 ​Sports & Athletics

Requirements for Special Olympics Sports at WLTG
There are three steps that need to be done / accomplished before joining Without Limits-Team Galaxy (WLTG) Sports or prior to their first practices. 

1. Each member must have a Without Limit-Team Galaxy membership and must be in the Special Olympics Digital Center of Excellence (COE).  If you have questions about the COE, please contact Marcia Morgan
2. You must also have a Waiver and Release on file with WLTG.
3. If you need to pay your WLTG annual membership fees:  please contact Ellen Schwoebel.  If you need a membership, you can bring a check to the first practice.  

​Sports Committee Needs You! 
The Without Limits-Team Galaxy Sports Committee is looking for any parent or coach that would like to be on the community. We would address Special Olympics sports, coaching and assuring we have the right equipment. If interested in part of the committee, please contact Rich Crothers

WTLG Upcoming Sports
We will be starting an interest for the following sports real soon; tennis, golf and softball. Please note: Signing up is important. This way we can assure Without Limits-Team Galaxy has enough coaches and resources. If interested in one of those sports, please contact Without Limits Team Galaxy.

Basketball
Congrats to all the State Basketball athletes.

• Both girl’s team made the championship game.  They all received silver medals. Our three skills athletes medaled; two golds and a silver.
• The Super Stars won a State Championship. They saved their best game of the season for the championship. The team received a lot of compliments for their play and sportsmanship.
• Super Stars went undefeated for the season.

Sharks Swimming Team - 2025 

• Week 7 of Practice is Sunday March 16.
• ​​Swimming Regional Swim Meet: March 29 at The Chuck Fruit Aquatics Center in Edwardsville.
• Purchase your "Shark-ware" today!!!
• Development group will have the pool from 3PM to 4PM
• Competitive group will have the pool from 4PM to 5PM
• YOU MUST HAVE ATHLETE REGISTERED in PORTAL TO COMPETE IN REGIONALS

Soccer Teams & Skills

• Soccer practices will be on Thursdays. Next practice will be on 6 March at 6:00 at Laderman.
• Skills will be on Tuesdays at 6:00 at Laderman.
• Without Limits-Team Galaxy will be holding a mini-tournament in soccer on 22 March at
  Mascoutah High School to get the required games need for regionals and state.
• Regionals will be on 27 April.

Athletic Teams / Track & Field

• Track Assessments will be held on 5 March (Wednesday) at Mascoutah High School track at 6:00.
• Practices will be on Wednesdays at 6:00 at Mascoutah High School Track

Tennis

• Tennis Assessments will be held on 5 April at Mascoutah High School tennis at 9:00.
• Practices will be on Saturday’s at 9:00 at Mascoutah High School Tennis courts.
• Without Limits-Team Galaxy needs to know the number of athletes so they can assure they have enough coaches and possible Unified partners.
• If interested in one of those sports, please contact us at [email protected]

Flag Football

• Without Limits-Team Galaxy will be co-hosting a Flag Football game on 18 July in the evening in Edwardsville for Illinois and St. Louis Region.
• The co-host is a development program out of Dallas, Texas.

Congratulations Without Limits - Team Galaxy Skills Basketball Athletes!! Coach Bob’s message: To say that I am proud of these kiddos is an absolute understatement! We had three of our kids advance to state for basketball skills last month. Today they proved that hardwork and determination pays off. All are coming home with hardware and I’m so proud of them all!!!