Page 4 - FY2425AnnualReport

THE MAGIC OF SPECIAL RECREATION

FY24-25 HIGHLIGHTS

ORGANIZATIONAL ATHLETICS ● Several Rec & Roll sites received furniture
and supply upgrades thanks to an IDHS
● Becky Prince was honored as the ● Michele Lynch won Boccia Nationals in the grant
Professional of the Year by the BC2 division as a member of the Synergy
Therapeutic Recreation section of the Boccia Bulldogs and 3 new team members PARTNERSHIPS
Illinois Park and Recreation Association attended nationals for the first time

● The Certificate of Achievement for ● Drew Beutel - who started his basketball ● Thanks to the Turning Pointe Autism
Foundation, WDSRA golf athletes were
Excellence in Financial Reporting was journey with WDSRA at 5 years old - signed invited to attend the I Got This- Discovery
awarded by the Government Finance with Auburn University to play wheelchair Golf Clinic at the Bob Berry Sunshine
Officers Association of the United States basketball at the college level, earned Course with Amy Bockerstette
and Canada for comprehensive financial a spot on the U23 Men’s USA Team, and
reporting won gold at the IWBF Men’s Americas ● In partnership with Special Olympics
● Through aggressive outreach efforts, Championship in Brazil Region C and Benet Academy, WDSRA
hosted a basketball clinic for over 100
WDSRA was represented at 41 events ● All 10 basketball teams competed at the athletes across 10 WDSRA teams
(50% more than last year) with 27 Region C Special Olympics Tournament,
different agencies, reaching more than earning 1 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze, and 2 ● In conjunction with Our Savior Lutheran
1500 attendees fourth-place finishes, with Wildcats 3 Church WDSRA assisted in offering a
advancing to State Parents Night Out Special Event to give
PROGRAMS ● The Junior Wildcats basketball team their members experience volunteering

● Overnight trips included: a 5-day trip to finished 2nd in their first Special Olympics with the special needs population
Gatlinburg, TN, with 11 participants, a state basketball tournament in years ● The Glen Ellyn Lakers and the Glen Ellyn
4-day trip to Camp Duncan in Ingleside, ● WDSRA hosted a swim meet at West Park District hosted their annual soccer
IL with 23 participants, and a 5-day Chicago High School, where over 150 clinic for the Rec & Roll Day program
Spring Break Trip to San Diego with 12 swimmers from nine different agencies ● An after-school program was offered in
participants competed, with recorded times serving conjunction with the West Chicago High
● The St. Patrick’s Day Dance, with 79 as qualifiers for the spring Regional Swim School with 28 students participating
participants attending, was held Meet ● NCTV17 spotlighted the Youth Flag Football
at a new location at the Warrenville Park ● After a brief hiatus, Rhythmic Gymnastics program, featuring interviews with the
District returned, with athletes earning 1 gold and coach, volunteers, and staff
● A new camp location was offered in West 1 silver medal in competition INCLUSION
Chicago with District 94 ● For the first time, WDSRA participated in
● 2024 Day Camp received 193 registrations the Special Olympics Unified Bowling ● Results from the Summer Parent
across 5 camp locations, 5 Friday field competition with six teams, one of which Evaluation showed that 93% of families
trips, and 3 extended camps earned a gold medal and qualified for the who completed the survey indicated that
state tournament all aspects of service either exceeded or
● Disability Awareness outreach included far exceeded their expectations
4 schools and 1 business, reaching more REC & ROLL PROGRAM
than 700 people, and featured a new ● Santa’s Workshop, in cooperation with the
grade-level specific curriculum ● Rec & Roll served 149 unique participants Naperville Park District, hosted 2 evenings
with 341 registrations over 7 locations specifically for families that have children
with special needs – 238 people visited
● A new 1:1 trial conducted at the Rec & Roll Santa
Fort Hill location was successful
● Rec & Roll Winfield expanded its days to
now include Mondays, Thursdays, and
Fridays

4 FY24-25 Gratitude Report | wdsra.com