March 24 - Newsletter

Events / Activities / Updates

2026 USA Games - Team IL Coach Application & Athlete Nominations
If you are interested in applying to be a coach or have an athlete that would be eligible for nomination, please use the links and info to submit those. If you have questions, please reach out to Carolyn Cronin. Her information is below as well.
USA Games Information
 
Coach Application Process

• Apply to be a Team Illinois Coach here.
• Please email 2 letters of recommendation to Carolyn Cronin, [email protected].
• All items must be submitted by Tuesday, April 1, 2025.     
• Interviews will be conducted in mid-April.
• Coaches will be selected and notified on May 1, 2025.

 
Athlete Nomination Process

• Please review the Athlete Nomination Info Packet (attached)
• To nominate eligible athletes please complete this form by May 28, 2025.
• QR Code to access the nomination form:
  

Family to Family - Group Meet and Family Support

• Our first get together will be:  Thursday, March 27th at 10 am
• Panera in Edwardsville 
• There is an area we can sit and also an area for the kids to be. 
• Contact Bonnie or Mari for more info - See Facebook Event to RSVP

Plans are to rotate days of the week and times that work for you. Please let us know. 

"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. 
Committee Service -
Rummage Sale help needed to bag and deliver to Lisa’s. Just help bagging with is a big help - you would be helping these organizations to clean up and get the place back to normal. Stay and help with other cleanup. 

Any suggestions on Community Service activities that you are interested in.
​Please send your ideas and let us know. Church activities, etc. so many need help. 

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​

Finance Committee Meeting
Meeting is Monday April 14th from 6:30-8:30pm. We will have both virtual and in person options to attend. If someone is interested in joining the committee please have them reach out to me at [email protected]. 

Millstadt Autism Walk 2025
Come help celebrate everyone. Let’s make signs to show support.

• 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….

We Need Pullers for the Team Without Limits - Team Galaxy for the Southern Plane Pull! 
Are you ready to test your strength for a great cause?  Without Limits - Team Galaxy is forming a team to compete in the 1st Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Southern Plane Pull on May 31, 2025, at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport!

This ultimate tug-of-war challenge will have teams of 10 pulling a United Airlines aircraft 12 feet as fast as possible – all while raising funds to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

•  We need YOU on our team! 
•  No experience needed – just a big heart and a little muscle! 
•  Help us reach our goal of raising $500+ to compete.
•  Have fun, support a great cause, and show off your teamwork!
•  Sign up today and be part of the action!
•  Register here: https://support.soill.org/team/644562
•  Message us or comment below if you're in!

Let's come together as Without Limits - Team Galaxy and make a difference for our incredible Special Olympics athletes! 

An Extraordinary 80s Prom - Extraordinarily Events --- Reservations now open

• Join us for food and dancing for individuals with special needs ages 9th grade to 100+
• Reservations required by calling Susie Tipton (618-670-1902) or Amy Pollard (217-707-8642) 
• Saturday, April 26th 2025 - 4PM to 8PM
• Madison County Fireman's Hall / Collinsville, IL

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 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

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

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!!

​Note from Kati
This week will be JAZZ!

• We are gearing up for recital so by the end of April I will be asking for costume payments.
• Additionally, if you are competing in Addiction, please remember that I need those fees (and costume fees) by the end of this month, preferably the 28th / 29th
• If I do not have those fees, I cannot register your cancer

Thank you so much

Solos this week:

• Tobi @ 7
• Kayley @ 7:30

Theater Schedule for this Week
instead of all cast this weekend on March 29th we will go back and do the scene we skipped when Angelica was sick.

• March 29th 10:30 am
• Pages 22-29 -- The song "it's possible"
• People needed:
• The Cats
• Jojo
• The Fish

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

Athletic Registration Urgency!!!
If you are an Special Olympic athlete now are plan to be one in the future, you need to complete your registration ASAP!!!  After April 1st, the rules mandating full completion will be much more stringent.  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.  

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.

Sharks Swimming Team - 2025 

• No practice for March 30th due to regionals 
• Regional Swim Meet is this SATURDAY!!!
  • ​​Swimming Regional Swim Meet: March 29 at The Chuck Fruit Aquatics Center in Edwardsville.
  • Check your emails TODAY!   Full information, schedules and details are there!
• Purchase your "Shark-ware" today!!!

Soccer Teams & Skills

• Soccer practices will be on Thursdays, March 27th at 6:00 at Laderman.
• Skills will be on Tuesday, March 25th at 6:00 at Laderman.
• Regionals will be on 27 April.

Athletic Teams / Track & Field

• Track Assessments will be held on March 26th (Wednesday) at Mascoutah High School track at 6:00.
• Practices will be on Wednesdays at 6:00 at Mascoutah High School Track
• Regionals will be on 27 April.

Tennis

• Tennis Practices will be held on April 5th (Wednesday) at Mascoutah High School tennis at 9:00.
• Practices will be on Saturday’s at 9:00 at Mascoutah High School Tennis courts.

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.

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