Ithaca College

Therapeutic Recreation students raise more than $4000 to benefit Special Olympic New York

Ten students in the Therapeutic Recreation program at Ithaca College recently raised more than $4000 to benefit Special Olympics New York. The students, enrolled in the Administration of Therapeutic Recreation course and part of a marketing assignment, organized a variety of fundraisers through social marketing and local business sponsors which made donations to sponsor the class to take the Polar Plunge. The event took place in the frigid waters of Cayuga Lake Saturday, March 19th and almost 900 people took a dip to raise money for Special Olympics New York. Special Olympics help individuals with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through sports, allowing nearly 65,000 Special Olympics 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 relayed this message to Catherine Gooch, course instructor, "You and your students have significantly helped us reach into marketing demographics we would not have reached and raised much needed funds to help Special Olympics athletes." The RLS Department is also featured for the second time on the official Ithaca Plunge sweatshirts due to their involvement. Students who achieved this remarkable goal include: Ashawna Abbott, Adriana Cataldo, Amber Cowan, Sonya Griffiths, Emily Miner, Perry Moskowitz, Riza Ramos, Alision Ricchiuti, Kaitlyn Schiek, and Holly Signor.