Provided photo
When police officer Bill Devine first started supporting Special Olympics, he had no idea how special the organization would become to him and his family.
“I have been a part of Special Olympics Illinois since I first got hired on the force in Tinley Park, specifically the Law Enforcement Torch Run, for about 24 years,” Bill explains.
“Then in 2006 my son CJ was born with down syndrome and I got even more involved once he turned two. I started to actively raise money and as CJ got older he started to compete in a lot of events.”
CJ, who is nonverbal, competes in basketball, baseball and bowling as a Special Olympics Illinois athlete. Being part of a team gives CJ a sense of belonging and a chance to share his athletic skills and personality with others.
It’s simple; take the plunge wherever you like, just do it
by March 14.
Maybe that’s plunging into your bathtub or into the snow. Maybe it is an icy water balloon fight. We want you to get creative and be safe! Just like in the past, Plunge At Home participants can plunge as an individual or join a team.
And of course, don’t forget to document it! We are asking all Plungers to share their unique spin on the
Plunge At Home twist with us – so we can share it with the Special Olympics Illinois community. Post it on social with the hashtag
Housing and Development Newsletter
He directed the Top Jingle Bell Run in the country in 2018, 2019 and the highest year-over-year growth in 2018.
Henson’s passion for helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities began at an early age when he volunteered for Special Olympics with his mom and brother. Helping children and adults with disabilities is a family passion; his daughter is a special education teacher in Illinois.
“We are excited to bring Jeff on board at such a critical time for our organization. We are confident that his years of fundraising knowledge and experience will help further our mission of empowering individuals with disabilities in our community,” said Carol Kallman, president of Alpha Resource Center.
It’s the time of year once more:
#BeBoldGetCold for Special Olympics Illinois- Region I; The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge is officially an At Home-Virtual Plunge.
Plungers will be able to take the plunge whenever and wherever they like now through March 14th! Simply form a team, fundraise as much as you can and capture your own home-plunge video!
Ideas: A personal-at-home pool or pond; filling a large bucket or water trough with ice water, pouring an icy cold bucket of water on oneself, or even jumping into a large pile of snow (if we’re lucky this winter)