Newsletter for April 21, 2025

Events / Activities / Updates

We Need Coaches & Volunteers—Join Our Team!
As our Without Limits - Team Galaxy programs continue to grow, so does our need for dedicated coaches and volunteers. To maintain the quality and safety of our sports programs, we must meet athlete-to-coach ratio requirements—and right now, we’re falling short in several areas. Whether you have experience in sports or simply a passion for inclusion and teamwork, your support can make a huge impact. Training is provided, and your involvement helps create meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities. If you’re interested in joining our coaching team or supporting in other ways, please reach out—we’d love to have you on board!

Quarterly Sports / Sports Committee
The quarterly Sports meeting will be held on 14 May 2025 at 6:00 (Laderman Park). We need all
coaches for summer sports or new coaches or parents that wants to be on the sports committee to
attend. Agenda found here.  ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Upcoming changes to schedules:
To align practices for each sports the following will be implemented after 27 August:

• Softball: Mondays - Mascoutah JV Softball field
• Soccer & Soccer skills: Tuesdays - Laderman Park @ 6:00
• Track: Wednesdays - Mascoutah High School track @ 6:00
• Golf: Thursdays - Orchards Belleville
• Tennis: Saturdays - Mascoutah tennis courts @ 9:00
• Once summer games are over Flag Football will replace soccer on Tuesday.
  Volleyball will be on Wednesdays

WLTG Prom Night

• June 13, 2025 - FRIDAY
• Swansea / Belleville Moose Lodge 1221

"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.

Family Support / Networking Get Together

• Monday, April 28th at 6 pm
• McAllisters in Shiloh
• Bring ideas.
• Contact Bonnie - [email protected]

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​

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

Ainad Shriners Parade - June 6th

• Without Limits - Team Galaxy will be participating in the 2025 Shriner's Parade. The Without Limits SO Cheer Team will be performing and we welcome all of our members and athletes to ride or march along with us in this fun and spectacular parade!!!
• Please let us know if you would like to participate.
• MORE DETAILS TO COME

2025 Membership Dues are Due
We have a number of unpaid sports Membership Fees that have not been paid.  If you have been contacted by Marcia in regards to this, please pay them.  Thank you all!  

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

Clothing Drive!  Clear out your Closets!

• Our clothing drive is this coming Saturday, the 19th, from 9am-11am.
• If you have any clothing or other soft household textiles, stop by and drop them off at the St. Clair Township Building at 107 Service Street in Swansea.
• What we are collecting:  Clothing, household textiles.

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!!

Theater Schedule for this Week
See the latest schedule on the "Without Limits - The Arts" Facebook page!!

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

Coaches Training
Region J will be holding a coaches training session on 16 July. Most activities will be held inside to avoid the heat or rain. There will be special sessions for Basketball, Volleyball, Bocce, softball and track. Coaches this is an opportunity to get your certification in your sport you coach. Please use the link here to take a survey   We will take the results and offer trainings in the sports with the most interest.

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.

SLU Special Olympics Spring Formal
The Special Olympics Club at SLU is proud to plan a spring formal dance for SOMO athletes on
April 25!  Please see the invitation attached and the link below to RSVP:
SLU Special Olympics Spring Formal RSVP

Sharks Swimming Team - 2025 

• April 27th practice is ON!
• Practice to be held again on Sunday, April 27th.  This will be the last practice for our Development group only.  The competitive team will continue practice at the same times on Sunday.  
• Purchase your "Shark-ware" today!!!​

Golf 2025
Without Limits Team Galaxy Golf will begin Thursday May 1st at the  Orchards Golf Course at 6pm. The practices will last 1 hour and will be held every Thursday at 6pm. Regionals will be August 1st.

Course Address:
Orchards Golf Course / 1499 Golf Course Dr / Belleville, IL 62220

• A very special thanks to PGA Professional - Dan Polites for assisting with Special Olympics Golf Practices.
• In addition: Special thanks to Orchards Golf course for donating their practice facilities and providing golf balls for the driving range.
• If you have any questions feel free to email myself or Marcia Morgan Jeff Elder - [email protected]

Soccer Teams & Skills

• Soccer practices will be on Thursdays, April 24th at 6:00 at Laderman.
• Skills will be on Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:00 at Laderman.
• Regionals will be on 27 April.

Athletic Teams / Track & Field

• Practices will begin on April 26th (Saturday) 9AM at Mascoutah High School Track
• Regionals will be on 27 April

Tennis

• Team Practice will be held April 19th (Saturday) at Mascoutah High School tennis at 9AM

​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.

Softball
It's time for softball , and this year we are looking to try our hand at traditional!
Coach Adam and my self are excited to challenge our very talented players . 

What this means is we are going to need to see who would be interested in pitching and catching  . If your athlete is interested in learning to pitch please reach out in the email address below. We are going to want to have a practice on the 28th of April at 6pm at Mascoutah high school - that practice will be solely dedicated to pitchers and catchers .

• Practices after that will be for all players . 
• Practices will be held at the Mascoutah high school at the softball field on Mondays at 6 pm they will probably last an hour to hour fifteen minutes. 
• Please email Jenn for questions and interest to play . 
• All athletes must be entered into the CoE and members of Without Limits - Team Galaxy

Volleyball

• We will be starting Volleyball on Wednesday evenings starting July 9th (5PM & 6PM starts)
• Practice will be help at the Leu Civic Center.
• One hour will be scheduled for Skills and one will be schedule for teams.
• email:  withoutlimits-teamgalaxy.com to express your interest

Bags / Cornhole is coming soon!!!!
Interested?  A tournament will be scheduled sometime this summer.