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Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

I want to talk to you about a charity that is very special to me and am happy to be a part of: the Santa Clarita Chapter of Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC).  Let me tell you how I found out and became involved with SOSC.

It was a hot summer day in July 2006... okay it wasn't that dramatic.

I was taking my sister's dog, Bebe, to Central Park, in Santa Clarita.  She loves running around and seeing all of the kids, people, and other dogs.  What I didn't know was that Santa Clarita SOSC was having several tournaments at the park on the same day.  As I was walking Bebe around the park, several of the atheltes asked if they could pet and play with her.  She is a people lover and adores the attention.  While she received several back and ear rubs, I sat back and watched a softball game.  I observed the game for about ten minutes, and then realized that something was different about it.  Initially, I couldn't figure it out and I knew it had nothing to do with the athletes on the field.  After deliberating with myself and my fellow canine companion, I realized what it was... there was no negativity at the game.  There was no name calling, no yelling at the umpire, no profanity... only positive attitudes, compliments, and high fives.  It was the first sporting event I had ever been to where everything was positive.  I enjoyed watching the game and seeing Bebe interact with the athletes so much, that I wanted to be a part of it.

Several weeks later, I volunteered at the SOSC Cycling Tournament.  I got to the venue early that morning and assisted with the set-up of the torunament.  Everyone was in a good mood.  As the athletes began entering, some of them came up to me and asked where Bebe was.  I was shocked that they even remembered her... to my surprise, some of them asked me to go home and bring her to the event.  As much as I wanted to, it wasn't an option for a black pomerranian on a 100+ degree day.  I sat back and watched the tournament unfold.  The athletes rode their bikes around the speedway with big smiles on their faces as their parents, friends, family, and supporters cheered them on.  As each athlete crossed the finish line, they walked away happy and without a worry .  They didn't care about their lap time or how they did... they were more concerned with having fun.  I enjoyed seeing their reactions, especially their smiles.  They had touched my heart.  I wanted to belong to an organization that promoted such happiness and positive effects.

I began assisting the Santa Clarita Bocce (i.e., lawn bowling) program in March 2007 as a coach and referree.  I traveled to a variety of cities and venues within the Southern California region for various tournaments.  Along the way, I became friends with several of the athletes and coaches.  Last year was such a rewarding experience that I am looking forward to the 2008 season and cannot wait to get back on the bocce courts again.

So you are asking... what is Polar Plunge 2008?  Basically, myself and other plungers will be jumping into a cold lake, every hour, on the hour, for 24 hours... actually it isn't a cold lake... It will be held at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.  But I will still be plunging into the water.

How can you help?... I am challenging all of my friends, family memebers, business clients, and anyone else you can think of to help me reach and beat my goal of $2,500.  The dontaions raised from this fundraiser will go towards the Santa Clarita Special Olympics program and assist the atheltes in many ways, such as paying for uniforms and equipment, providing transportation to the tournaments, and provide year-round training.  Please help me support this cause as it is very dear to my heart.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising site and for any donations that you can make.  If you would like to volunteer for or become a part of the Special Olympics program, please contact me or visit www.sosc.org.