Miscellaneous Special Olympics Activities

The Special Olympics community has been very welcoming to us over the years. Here are some photos from various activities since 2001.

	In October 2001, we had a great day at the Indiana Special Olympics Challenge Day. Claire's entire class participated, including her teacher and aides. We volunteered as one-on-one helper and station helper, and really enjoyed ourselves.
	In October 2002, Claire participated in Challenge Day for the second time. It is a part of Special Olympics geared toward more severely disabled athletes like Claire. Here is Claire with her family after receiving her participation medal.
	In May 2003, Claire participated in the MATP portion of the Special Olympics spring games. She loved hearing her name read over the loudspeaker as she receives her medal of participation.
	In December 2003, we attended Special Olympics Hamilton County's annual Breakfast with Santa fundraisers, held at Applebee's in Westfield. We got to see adorable baby Turner, held by her doting uncle Sam.
	In February 2004, Tom and Jill participated in the annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics. It was below freezing out, but they jumped into Eagle Creek Reservoir anyway.
	In May 2005, Claire participated as an athlete in MATP for Special Olympics, while Tom, Debbie, and Jill all participated as newly-certified Special Olympics volunteers.
	In December 2004, we volunteered at a Special Olympics benefit dinner. Not only was it for a great cause, it was a great time as well, thanks to all of the fun people involved with Special Olympics Hamilton County.
	In December 2004, we had Breakfast with Santa at Applebee's in Westfield during Special Olympics Hamilton County's annual fundraiser.
	In February 2005, we participated in the Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics.
	In August 2005, Jill and Debbie attended a Pampered Chef fundraiser for Special Olympics Hamilton County, where we got to see adorable Turner and Quincy. Jill helped them do a little coloring, even though Quincy could barely reach the table.
	In October 2005, Claire participated in MATP at the Special Olympics Fall Classic. As usual, Claire was delighted by hearing the names announced over the loudspeaker.
	The theme for November 2005's Special Olympics Hamilton County annual danceathon fundraiser was Mardi Gras, so all four of us, plus Jill's friend Jackie, put on our finest baubles. We had a great time but we forgot our camera, so we got this shot when we got home.
	In October 2006, Special Olympics Hamilton County's annual dance-a-thon became a fun-a-thon, which pleased Claire quite a bit. When continuously fed with tokens, the games at Ben and Ari's arcade are just giant versions of electronic toys, as far as Claire's concerned. She had a blast pushing the buttons and enjoying the lights and sounds.
	In October 2006, Claire participated again in the Motor Activities Training Program portion of the Special Olympics Fall Classic.
	In November 2006, we volunteered at the Special Olympics Indiana Holiday in the Heartland fundraiser, where we helped run the silent auction.
	In 2008, we were the high bidders on a Pacers suite at a Special Olympics Hamilton County fundraiser, so we gathered some friends and made an evening of it in January 2009.
	In November 2009, we dropped by the annual Special Olympics Hamilton County Dance-a-thon. It's always nice to see Claire's former teacher Heather, who is the county coordinator.
	In December 2009, we attended Special Olympics Hamilton County's Breakfast with Santa fundraiser.
	We were back again in December 2010.
	In October 2011, we headed to downtown Indy for the second annual Over the Edge fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana.
	In December 2011, we again attended the annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser for Special Olympics Hamilton County.