ALEX KOTAS

The McCook Police Department in Chicago held the Second Annual Rooftop Fundraiser for Special Olympics on July 8. We visited with people in the area and talked about Special Olympics. We sold raffle tickets all the way up to the very top of the rooftop. We were way up high, like on the 6th floor! During the game, there was free dinner. We got it after we checked in. I had Italian sausage with ketchup and mustard, and chips. It was catered by Buona Beef. They had brownie bite

Special Olympics has many fundraisers, and they had one at Buffalo Wild Wings in Aurora in association with the Aurora Police Department! The parents did not take pictures, because they were too lazy to bring out their cameras. So use your imagination! My job was to be in charge of the sales table: you could buy tshirts, hats and raffle tickets among other items. When they sell things, some of that money goes back to Special Olympics. First we ate dinner because it was a s

Exactly one week ago, Sheila, Randy and I went to Geneva to help at this golfing site. I was chosen for this event because I am a Special Olympics Global Messenger. It was a fundraiser for Special Olympics. We helped the players and guided them at Hole 5. We rode golf carts to get there. It was my first time riding in a golf cart - I was scared to death! I had to really hang on. Sheila didn't think she was going to make it either! I got to meet some interesting people like

I went to Casey's in Naperville for an event called Make Music Chicago. It started in France, and the idea is to make music all day! We were outside to encourage audience participation. We were singing songs, and people could sing along. We sang stuff like "Let It Go", "Shake It Off". Heather played the keyboard, Pearl played the ukulele, Forrest played the guitar, and we had some small percussion instruments like shakere and djembe drum. It was sort of fun, sort of not fu

Last Saturday, me and my friends went to this painting place and painted our pets. We started by painting the eyes first, then the nose, etc. Stormy has curly fur, and he actually looks like the painting! After painting, Lisa Marie took us for pizza, it was on her. We went to Aurelio's in Geneva (IL not Switzerland LOL). Everyone had fun and their pictures turned out great! #Stormy #entertainment

It was a semi-unusual day yesterday in Warrenville. It was rainy while we were inside. We went up to the cashier like normal for B-Buddies bowling and they told us what lanes to go to. Went there, got our balls and shoes, and started to bowl. Unusually, unlike the past 2 games I came in last place and did not break 100 quite yet. Caitlin won the 2nd game, and I won the 3rd. I got 2 strikes in the final game, so that really helped my score of course. We were there a long time

Artful Impact, where I take theatre classes, participated in #strongerthrusong. We sang #letitgo with Kaylee Rogers. Kaylee is a 10-year-old girl from Northern Ireland with autism who has an amazing voice. Click here to listen! #strongerthrusong is a global event where people show how they are stronger thru song. We skyped with Kaylee to be able to meet her and hear about all her singing events. Later that month, we did a secondary performance of "Let It Go" at the Dupage Chi

Sheila got a volunteer job for Caitlin and I at BDI Playhouse. Yesterday was the first time we went there. We waited for this woman called Dana. She gave us a tour throughout the entire building. BDI Playhouse does physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and other therapies. It is located behind the Target on Jefferson Ave. We will be cleaning toys and equipment. We will be working in various rooms. When we arrive, we will find out our assignment for that day. When w

On Saturday, Randy and I went to College Church in Wheaton for a Special Olympics fundraiser with musical performances. We were speaking as Global Messengers for Special Olympics. When it was time for our speech, we walked onto the stage. Randy is carrying my laptop that had our Powerpoint presentation. Our speech was about the Special Olympics sports we participate in. There were some jokes thrown in, and we got good laughs from the crowd. Sometimes we had to wait until the

Getting ready! I was getting ready for the Special Needs Prom! The theme was a masquerade / Mardi Gras party. I knew several people who were going: Caitlin, Gayle, Randy, Rachel, Erin, Gabby, Maryann, April, Zack, Stephanie. Also Cinderella and Prince Charming showed up! I walked the red carpet on the way in, much like you would see at a Hollywood premiere. I got a boutonniere. There was face painting / arm painting while they played some great songs. Why get your face painte