Team Lehigh - Special Olympics PA

20/02/2026

Polar Plunge live at sunrise with Coach Shawn and Julie Benjamin, Executive Director GLVPR. They did a great job plugging the Polar Plunge!

Coach Shawn thanks for proudly representing Team Lehigh, being up early and withstanding weather. Good luck tomorrow.

There is still time to donate or register. All are welcome to stop by at Coca Cola Park to watch the festivities!

https://give.specialolympicspa.org/team/784740

13/02/2026

Team Lehigh is very close to hitting our fundraising goal. Every donation allows our athletes to train and compete year round AT NO COST to the athlete or their families.

Any donation, big or small is truly appreciated.

Link to Team Lehigh’s fundraising page:

https://give.specialolympicspa.org/team/784740?fbclid=IwZnRzaAP8cyJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeiABxnTIa3aAj_ViCPnj4RAxw2GvUVo-BuyBMfSzJt85cRz-O0NjdEPIvPxQ_aem_SKIJ02woum-JhAx-HzCvfw

09/02/2026

🎉❄️ There is a new location for this year’s plunge! Check it out.

🚨Important Plunge Update!🚨In order to provide a safe and fun experience for all, the Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge is moving from Scott Park in Easton to Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

Plungers will now have the unique experience of plunging into cold pools outside of Coca-Cola Park. Same mission. Same impact. Brand-new plunge experience.

If you’ve been thinking about signing up, this is your sign! Join us, take the plunge, and help support Special Olympics PA all year long. https://plungepa.org/plunge/lehigh-valley/

09/02/2026

Free 🏀 basketball clinic open to all. No basketball experience required. Come check it out. It will be a great afternoon working out with the girls and boys high school all stars ⭐️ ❗️

Registration information below.

Our last FREE Special Needs Basketball Clinic for this school year is coming up!! Register at the link below ⬇️

🗓️ March 15, 2026
📍 Northampton Community College,
3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem
⏰ 2-3pm
🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxvO0zGJXAWb18OcAfUwCRqr6aBvYq7Pf8AAxImdyln65Gqw/viewform

30/01/2026

🌟🌟🌟 SUPERSTAR PLUNGER 🌟🌟🌟

Jessica has been participating in the Polar Plunge for many years. She consistently is the top fundraiser for Team Lehigh and is currently the TOP FUNDRAISER in the GLVPR!

Huge thanks to Jess (and her Dad) for being brave enough to take the plunge and for all you do to support Team Lehigh. If you'd like to help Jessica's efforts the link to her fundraising page can be found below.

https://give.specialolympicspa.org/fundraiser/6858211

30/01/2026

VOLUNTEER SPOT LIGHT AND NEW PLUNGER! Please consider supporting him!

Shawn was a brand new volunteer in March of 2025! He showed up for basketball 🏀 and said I’ll do whatever you need me to! Just what every coach wants to hear. 😊

After basketball 🏀 he again said something every coach wants to hear “What can I do next?” Since starting with basketball 🏀 he has rolled through each season…softball 🥎, volleyball 🏐, bowling 🎳 and now he has signed up to do the Polar Plunge ❄️❗️

Thank you Shawn for all you have and continue to do for our athletes! Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you’d like to support Shawn for his very first plunge you can reach his page at the link below. Thanks for any support.

VOLUNTEER SPOT LIGHT AND NEW PLUNGER! Please consider supporting him!

Shawn was a brand new volunteer in March of 2025! He showed up for basketball 🏀 and said I’ll do whatever you need me to! Just what every coach wants to hear. 😊

After basketball 🏀 he again said something every coach wants to hear “What can I do next?” Since starting with basketball 🏀 he has rolled through each season…softball 🥎, volleyball 🏐, bowling 🎳 and now he has signed up to do the Polar Plunge ❄️❗️

Thank you Shawn for all you have and continue to do for our athletes! Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you’d like to support Shawn for his very first plunge you can reach his page at the link below. Thanks for any support.

https://give.specialolympicspa.org/fundraiser/6931101?fbclid=IwRlRTSAPozFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeYLUQAcbtELuD2RneDGH-IR6eDPSI_53Cs25Rhq_lOq5u9h0Nd-LNriR_kS4_aem_RXaj90ZZb1p3-QUW-b89Sg

22/01/2026

Salisbury High School honored the Seniors from their Unified Bocce Team tonight. Congratulations to Olivia who addition to Salisbury Bocce team also participates in Team Lehigh’s Bocce, swimming, softball and has participated in volleyball as well.

See videos in comments below. Way to go Olivia!e

18/01/2026

🚨 Due to inclement weather, today’s Special Needs Clinic at Dieruff High School is cancelled!! ❌❌❌❌

Via of the Lehigh Valley Service Electric Network D11Sports.com

17/01/2026

🎳 Due to the weather ❄️ bowling today (1/17) is cancelled.

Enjoy your snow day! See you next Saturday 1/24.

14/01/2026

Who doesn’t love pierogies? Especially when they are from the Bayou Boys!

Team Bethlehem has been very supportive of Team Lehigh. They have helped at Biaggios Dine to Donate nights and invited us to participate in the awesome Christmas party. Now it’s our turn to help them out.

They are having a pierogie sale. If you haven’t had the Bayou Boys pierogies you need to try them. They are delicious!!

Please check out flyer below for details. If you are unable to pick-up please comment below and someone will be in touch.

Link to order:

https://form.jotform.com/253442687596169

See flyer in the first comment.

Any questions please let me know.

Please click the link to complete this form.

11/01/2026

Good luck to all of TEAM LEHIGH’S bowlers that are competing in the GLVPR Regional bowling event today!

Athletes - You’ve got this….just keep calm and bowl on!!

Thank you to Coach Christine for all of her efforts in getting the athletes ready today!

Have fun!

09/01/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Vello (Pete) Vilbas. Pete was a long-time coach for Team Lehigh.

He coached 5v5 Basketball and Volleyball for many years. He also accompanied our Soccer team to the USA games in 2014.

Pete was loved and admired by all. Pete was known for his never-ending care and compassion for the athletes. He always went above and beyond for them. When he saw a need he jumped in and helped, no matter what the need (rides, socks, sneakers and more). Pete was loved and admired by his athletes and fellow coaches. He coached with patience and instilled confidence in each of the athletes to be the best they could be. We were all blessed to have known such an amazing man.

As stated by John Wooden:

"A GOOD COACH CAN CHANGE A GAME. A GREAT COACH CAN CHANGE A LIFE."

Coach Pete changed many lives and all for the better.
Services for Pete will be held on January 19th @ St. John's Lutheran Church - 835 3rd Street in Whitehall. Calling hours will be 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The service will be at 11:30.

Please keep Pete's wife and her sons (including fellow athlete Tim) in your thoughts and/or prayers.

Pete was a dear friend. He will be missed.

NOTE: IF YOU CARE TO MAKE A DONATION PLEASE DISREGARD THE ADDRESS IN THE OBITUARY AND MAIL AS FOLLOWS:

Special Olympics- GLVPR
2158 Avenue C Suite 201
Bethlehem, PA 18017

View Vello P. Vilbas, Sr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.