Students in the therapeutic recreation program at Ithaca College recently helped raise more than $1000 to benefit Special Olympics New York. Students in the therapeutic recreation program at Ithaca College recently helped raise more than $1000 to benefit Special Olympics New York.
The students, as part of a marketing assignment, organized a variety of fundraisers and involved the local community and individuals in making donations and sponsoring the class to take the Polar Plunge. The event took place in the frigid waters of Cayuga Lake Saturday, March 21 and more than 600 people took a dip to raise money for Special Olympics New York.
Special Olympics helps individuals with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through sports, allowing nearly 65,000 Special Olympic athletes participate in year-long training and competitions.
Cassandra Rucker, the director of development for the central and Southern Tier regions of Special Olympics New York sent this message to Catherine Gooch, course instructor, “Words cannot express how impressed I am by your students in your class. They have significantly helped us tap into marketing demographics we otherwise would not have reached and raised much needed funds to help Special Olympic athletes.”
The RLS Department is also featured on the official Ithaca Plunge sweatshirts given to participants who raised more than $100 for the event. Students honored for raising more than $100 are Katelyn Basile, Allyson Gatto, Erin Gordon, Harmony Graves, Allison Johnson, Maggie Maurice, Angela Miranda, and Rachel Sitek.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20150330155414368