Special Olympics Illinois - Region G

01/07/2026

Last but MOST CERTAINLY not least, introducing our second 2026 Peoria Plunge Ambassador - Returning for year #2, Thomas Doran!! 🥳
📍Hometown - Dunlap, IL
💪Agency he competes with - Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
🏅 # of years as a athlete - 18
🏀 Sports - Basketball, track and field, softball, flag football (Next competition - Region G Basketball, Jan. 25)

You can read more about Thomas in his spotlight article on the Polar Plunge website! Follow this link - https://plungeillinois.com/2025/10/24/thomas-doran-takes-lead-in-encouraging-special-olympics-illinois-involvement/

Stay tuned for more updates and sign up to take the plunge now! Register here - support.soill.org/peoria2026

01/02/2026

We hope everyone’s New Year is off to a great start!! 🥳 Happy New Year from your Region G team!

Our first event of the year is coming up with the Region G basketball on January 25th at Shirk Center @ Illinois Wesleyan University. We invite you to come cheer on our athletes (and our Plunge Ambassadors 🐻‍❄️)! For more information on the competition, visit www.soill.org 🏀

12/27/2025

12/19/2025

Before the holiday festivities ensue, we're elated to introduce one of our TWO 2026 Peoria Plunge Ambassadors - Scott Swanson! 🐻‍❄️

📍Hometown - Alpha, IL
💪Agency he competes with - Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
🏅 # of years as a athlete - 15
🏀 Sports - Basketball, track, flag football, softball, bowling (Next competition - Region G Basketball, Jan. 25)

We'll be sharing more about our first-year Ambassador PLUS an announcement for our second Peoria representative soon.
Stay tuned and sign up to take the plunge now! Register here - https://support.soill.org/peoria2026

12/16/2025

We are so pumped to announce our 2026 Bloomington Plunge Ambassador - Aislyn Bossard!! 🥳

📍Hometown - Bloomington, IL
💪Agency she competes with - SOAR - Special Opportunities Available in Recreation
🏅 # of years as a athlete - 9
🏀 Sports - Basketball, soccer, tennis, softball, volleyball (Next competition - Region G Basketball, Jan. 25)

We'll be sharing more about our new Ambassador PLUS an announcement for our Peoria representative soon. Stay tuned and sign up to take the plunge now! Register here - support.soill.org/bloomington2026

12/11/2025

Taking the plunge is a family affair! ❄️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Bundle up, rally your crew, and make waves together for Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Register for the 2026 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Polar Plunge today and turn icy waters into warm hearts!

Sign up to today:
PEORIA (2/21): https://support.soill.org/peoria2026
BLOOMINGTON (2/28): https://support.soill.org/bloomington2026

12/10/2025

We are so proud of all our Region G athletes that competed at the State Bowling competition in Decatur this past weekend! 🤩

Congratulations to all our competitors and coaches from A.I.R, Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA), Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association, Lifelong Access, Olympia School District, SOAR - Special Opportunities Available in Recreation, and PPS Jamieson/PAT Academy on your achievement!

12/05/2025

The first snow and winter storm of the year hit us harder than a Polar Plunge belly flop 🥶🥶

Sign-ups are off to a hot start for next February's Plunges (Peoria 2/21 and Bloomington 2/28)! Join up with your friends to make a splash for our Region G athletes at the links below 🐻‍❄️

Register ➡ https://support.soill.org/peoria2026 or https://support.soill.org/bloomington2026

12/04/2025

We are so grateful to have been chosen to receive a $5,000 gift from our friends at GROWMARK, Inc. as a part of their campaign. It is an honor to have been recognized by their team and and even greater one to meet some of them yesterday. Thank you for your outstanding support of our local Special Olympics Illinois athletes! 🤍

12/02/2025

Special Olympics Illinois provides opportunities for athletes to chase their dreams both on the field and in life. The confidence, joy, and community built through this movement are felt across every region.

This , supporters have the chance to make an even greater impact. Today only, every gift is matched 3x, multiplying opportunities for athletes throughout Illinois.

Give now and be part of their journey: https://bit.ly/4oaTeFI

12/01/2025

The Minnesota governor jabbed the president over a medical mystery.

11/27/2025

Happy Turkey Day!
The Baileys from Region G at Special Olympics Illinois want to wish all our lovely athletes, families, volunteers, and supporters a happy and safe Thanksgiving!🦃