Special Olympics Florida

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Hi!
 
I'm Joe .... on March 5, 2022, I'll be running through Pinellas County Florida for 12 hours to raise money for the local chapter of Special Olympics! Above, there is a link to the map of the route which takes me from the Pier in St. Petersburg, FL starting at 6:30 AM and finishes at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs at 6:30 PM. The route may vary here and there based on my pace throughout the day. 

This is not about a 12 hour journey, though, this is about something bigger than one person. This about unity. This is about inclusion and shining a light on the fact that 'limitations' are created by our own minds. To me, there is no better example than being a part of any Special Olympics event. The athletes participating have often been marginalized or cast off in different ways ... but as you watch, you realize these fellow humans believe in themselves and their abilities to achieve greatness.  Their spirit, their joy, their achievements are truly inspiring. But ... the sooner we stop thinking in terms of 'them' and 'us', the sooner we can live in a world of 'we'. 

We are connected. All of us. We are connected to each other and we are connected to this Earth. This is what running shows me everyday. Please join me in supporting a unified, inclusive world by helping me raise money for Special Olympics Florida. Let's "Shine as One". 

More information about Special Olympics Florida: Our Mission:
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Want to join us in making a difference? We are raising money to benefit Special Olympics Florida, and any donation will help make an impact. Join a fund raising team and sponsor a driver to race for Team DHL at this year's Driver It Like You Stole It November 21st at Extreme Action Park.

More information about Special Olympics Florida: Our Mission: To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

WE DID IT! WE NOW HOLD THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR FASTEST 3 PERSON RELAY. PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO FUNDRAISE!

We completed a historic and monumental paddle from Cuba to Florida in June 2017 to raise funds and awareness for two non-profit causes close to our hearts, as well as to inspire the Cuban athletic community, and we would like to invite you to be part of this amazing journey. Paddle. Inspire. Give. This is a politics-free paddle! DONATIONS FROM THIS PAGE GO DIRECTLY TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA- SUP TEAM.

A little bit about each paddler committed to making this happen:

Aimee Spector
Aimee teaches special needs students in Redondo Beach, California and has competed throughout the world in paddling since 1998; she trains to compete in many athletic disciplines, including marathon and ultramarathon running, triathlons and SUP races, but prone paddleboarding and outrigger canoe paddling are her true passions, and she uses her training and racing as a means for community involvement and outreach. Aimee is compassionate, determined, self-disciplined and focused, and is excited to make this trip a reality.

Cynthia Aguilar
Cynthia is an EMT and ocean rescue lifeguard on the beaches of Miami, Florida. As a competitive swimmer and water polo player in high school, Cynthia learned to love the challenge of pushing her body at a young age. Cynthia found the sport of paddleboarding an important and fundamental way to share her tremendous talents and passions, and she hopes this paddle will inspire others to approach life in the same way.

Karen Figueroa
Karen is a teacher, a lecturer, and a mom of two grown boys. She travels between Florida and Hawaii, training and motivating students to pursue their educational goals. Her paddling journey began on a whim at the suggestion of a friend and with a borrowed board. That small decision changed her life, and she now trains and races alongside the best paddlers in the world. Karen sees this Cuba to Key West paddle an adventure of a lifetime and an opportunity to encourage others to let the ocean inspire and motivate them because "It's never too late to be what you might have been."

The Paddle
We will be attempting to paddle the 100 miles from Havana, Cuba to the Florida Keys on prone paddleboards. Although there have been attempts such as this in the past, this will be the first that sets out directly from the shore of Cuba using traditional stock (12 ft) paddleboards, the first to have 3 strong female athletes focus on fundraising as the motivation for their journey , and the first to connect with the people of Cuba to inspire budding young athletes. It will be no easy task, but we are up for the challenge! This is a politics-free paddle!

The Charitable Causes
*DONATIONS FROM THIS PAGE GO DIRECTLY TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA-SUP TEAM.*

Ocean of Hope- dedicated to supporting cancer patients with better access to specialists and improved treatment options and to providing hope through the cancer survivor paddling team

Special Olympics Florida- dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition

The proceeds from this fundraiser will be split between the two charities. DONATIONS FROM THIS PAGE GO DIRECTLY TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA- SUP TEAM.

We are so excited to embark on this paddle and hope that you will join us in supporting our outreach efforts.
Check us out here:
https://www.facebook.com/cuba2floridaepicpaddle/
Help spread the word!