Special Olympics needs your help now, more than ever. As you are aware, COVID-19 has caused havoc for all of us in 2020/2021. Because of its presence and in following requested CDC and Special Olympics guidelines, Lycoming County Special Olympics has had to cancel many of their scheduled fundraising events for 2020/2021. The monies raised from these events helps to provide training and competition opportunities to the 128 athletes and Unified partners who participate in 13 different individual and team sports throughout the year. These funds are vital in helping Lycoming County reach their budgeted goal of $27,000.00 for 2021.

Starting in June 2021, and upon following and adhering to well thought out guidelines, Lycoming County Special Olympics has been able to offer in person training and competitions to the athletes. Since that time, we have offered training in Athletics and Aquatics and are presently training in Bocce, Bowling, Long Distance Running/Walking, Soccer and Volleyball.

However, in order to keep the Lycoming County Special Olympics program up and running as much as possible and allowing them to continue to provide athletes opportunities to train and compete, we are going to hold the Annual Frostbite 5 Mile Run and Penguin 5K Walk and Run. This is the largest fundraising event of the year and is being held for the 41st year in 2021.

To help make these events successful this year the events will be held both IN PERSON and VIRTUALLY. Participants can select to do the events either on the actual race day scheduled for December 12, 2021 and being held in Duboistown or do their event Virtually any day, on any course between December 1 to December 12 and email their finish times to lesloner3@gmail.com. So, gather some friends and run, walk or hike the distance you desire and support Lycoming County Special Olympics.

Individuals wishing to participate in any of the events can do so by registering at Frostbite5MileRunandPenguin5KWalk.com. There is a fee for registering which entitles you to receive a unique long sleeve tech shirt, a sling bag and have your name placed into a random drawing for various door prizes. Additional information about the events or those wishing to receive a registration form can do so by emailing pattyloner76@gmail.com, visit us at http://www.solyco.org or by calling 570-279-0440. Please help us make these events a success and join the INCLUSION REVOLUTION.