Hey DA World!!

I know it's been a long time.....oops!  Life has been really hectic and I have been focusing on my priorities lately.  I apologize for neglect my DA!

I come to you for help!  Not to help me, but to help Special Olympics!  Special Olympics is the world's largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in 16 sports in Kentucky, which is where I'm from.  Participation in Special Olympics helps athletes improve physical fitness and increase confidence and self-esteem. Through Special Olympics athletes learn valuable skills that they carry with them off the playing field and into their schools, jobs and communities.  In addition to sports, Special Olympics offers health screening programs through its Healthy Athletes initiatives and early childhood programming for young children with intellectual disabilities through the Young Athletes Program.

Special Olympics does more than just provide children and adults, who have intellectual disabilities, with a positive outlet with activities, it provides them with self-esteem and self-confidence in themselves.  I see this very similar to cosplaying.  We, cosplayers, cosplay not just for the positive energy and outlet it brings us, it gives us self-esteem, self-confidence, and hope in ourselves.  That alone, is a gift.

I am here to tell you that I am participating in a local even called the Polar Plunge on February 25th to benefit Special Olympics.  The Polar Plunge is one of the biggest Special Olympics fundraisers of the year. The Plunge is a truly unique event and includes a fun, festive atmosphere with food and great prizes. The Plunge works just like a Walk-a-Thon, but with one big twist. Participants still solicit donations to support their effort (a BEAR minimum of $75 to take part or $50 for Junior Plungers), but instead of walking, Polar Bears take a chilly dip into the Ohio River!  That's right, with your donation, if I can reach at least $75, I will have to jump into the freezing Ohio River!  Who wouldn't want to see that??  And all proceeds will go to Special Olympics, such a noble cause.

Below is the link to my donation page.  Give a little, give a lot.  Every cent counts!  And if you can't give any, which I understand given the current economy, spreading the word to those who can give is just as good.  And if you donate any, just leave a comment below with the amount you donate and I will give you credit where credit is due, by announcing it on my DA journal with a link to your own DA!  It's a win-win situation!  You win by getting announced and linked, and Special Olympics wins by benefiting from your generous donations!

Again, all money goes to Special Olympics, not to me.

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Thanks so much for your time guys!!
<3Tofu<3