Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games in Rochester , NY .  Thanks to the MANY volunteers in your community, registration for specific duties is now officially filled!  That said we are ALWAYS looking for day of volunteers who can fill in where needed and of course, an all important volunteer - our Fans in the Stands!  Feel free to bring the family and join your friends for a great day of competition, spirit and the most determination you can find in one spot! 

Volunteer info:

Helpful Hints for Volunteers:

· Volunteers are asked to work the time slot assigned.  

· All pre-registered volunteers will receive a Special Olympics credential.

· Volunteers are required to show photo identification upon arrival at the event.

· Volunteers are required to bring their own lunch on Saturday or concessions will be available to purchase.

· Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age; those 13 through 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

· We have a first come first serve policy for assignments

· We do the best we can, but cannot accommodate all volunteer preferences, please be flexible.

· Please check www.specialolympicsnewyork.org for schedule changes and venue information; addresses, phone numbers and these web sites for directions.http://www.bristolmountain.com/ & http://www.fairandexpocenter.org/

Attached pdf of times and venue locations:

SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK WINTER GAMES, ROCHESTER , FEBRUARY 6-8 

All events free and open to the public 

On the weekend of February 6-8 in Rochester , over 1,000 Special Olympics New York athletes and coaches from across the state will join the Winter Games, presented by Wegmans Food Markets.

The event features Floor Hockey at the Fair & Expo Center , Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing at Bristol Mountain Summit Nordic Center and Alpine Skiing at Bristol Mountain Winter Resort. Winter Games showcases the achievements of Special Olympics athletes and is one of three annual state games and 3,872 total competitions held each year throughout New York .

•  Opening Ceremonies: Friday, February 6, 8:00 PM at ESL Sports Centre.

Performed entirely on the ice at ESL Sports Centre, the Opening Ceremonies should prove to be fantastic entertainment for the Rochester community. From the grand entrance of the athletes accompanied by the highly decorated Knights of Columbus to the Bryon-Bergen High School Marching Band playing the famous “Rocky” theme, from figure skating and ice dancing by local Special Olympics athletes, Lakeshore Girls NYNY and GVFSC Synchro to “Greetings from the World Winter Games in Idaho” by SONY CEO Neal Johnson and the 10 SONY athletes at those international games, the excitement of Opening Ceremonies will officially catapult our Winter Weekend into action.

Guest speakers include Emcees Yolanda Vega, New York Lottery and Scott Hetsko, WROC-TV News 8 Now; Keynote Speaker two-time Paralympian Chris Manns, from Buffalo, and Captain of Team USA; speaker Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks; SONY Athletes and Global Messengers from around New York State.

The concluding highlight will be The Law Enforcement Torch Run by local officers and Special Olympics athlete torch runners, who will skate across the ice to light the Special Olympics Cauldron.

•  Athletic Competition: Saturday, February 7, beginning at 8:30 AM.

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Competition

8:30AM - 2:30 PM Nordic Skiing Bristol Mt Summit Nordic Center

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Snowshoeing Bristol Mt Summit Nordic Center

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Alpine Bristol Mountain Winter Resort

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Floor Hockey Team Fair and Expo Center

10:00 AM - 2:30 PM Floor Hockey Skills Fair and Expo Center

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Olympic Village Fair and Expo Center

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Olympic Village Fair and Expo Center

•  Closing Ceremonies: Saturday, February 7, 8:00 - 10:00 PM, Blue Cross Arena

Mid-Michigan Destroyers at Rochester RazorSharks - 7:35 PM

The Mid-Michigan Destroyers will face off against the Rochester Razorsharks at the final exciting event of the Winter Games, the ceremonies that officially close the competitions, including the extinguising of the Flame of Hope in the Olympic Cauldron.

* * *

Special Olympics New York, which does not charge athletes to participate, provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for more than 46,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

According to Neal J. Johnson, president and CEO, Special Olympics aims to demonstrate that when people with and without intellectual disabilities are brought together by its year-round program of training and competition, myths are dispelled, attitudes are changed and new opportunities to embrace and celebrate people with intellectual disabilities are created.

Winter Games is made possible through the generosity of Statewide sponsors New York State United Teachers, Civil Service Employees Association, Law Enforcement Torch Run and New York Lottery; Presenting sponsor, Wegmans Food Markets; Media sponsors, WHAM / WHTK Radio; Gold sponsors, Knights of Columbus, WalMart and Monroe County Sports Commission, Silver sponsors Federation of New York Insurance Professionals and ESL Sports Centre and Bronze sponsor CVS Caremark.

 

9th Annual Rochester Polar Plunge, Sunday, February 8

The largest Special Olympics fundraising event in the Genesee Region.

A Polar Plunge is a chance to plunge into the winter waters off Charlotte Beach to show support and raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics New York. More than 1,000 plungers are expected this year, providing another spectacular event for the Rochester community to participate in or attend.

Plungers are asked to raise a minimum of $60 to take the plunge and receive an official plunge sweatshirt. Students can raise a minimum of $25. Plunge Teams who pre-register are also eligible to win prizes. The event is free for spectators.

For more information on becoming a Polar Plunger, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org or www.PolarPlunge.net . Statewide sponsors are New York State United Teachers, Law Enforcement Torch Run, New York State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association; and the Civil Service Employees Association. Additional sponsors include WBEE / WPXY Radio and Hot Shots Indoor Volleyball.