The annual Spirit of Sport fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana is less than a month away. Behind the scenes, nearly 75 student volunteers have been toiling since September to organize the showcase. \nThe students have planned and organized a number of small activities including a car smash and a band night to promote February's big finale.\nSOS is an entirely student-run spectacular of sports and fitness events benefiting Special Olympics Indiana, to take place from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Feb. 7. On Wednesday, Spirit of Sport will host a Car Smash from 3 to 5 p.m. in Dunn Meadow. Later that night, they will host a benefit at Bluebird featuring the band Leonard's.\nThe theme for this year's Spirit of Sport is Wild Wild West. Programs at the all-night charity event will include a mechanical bull and tricycle tractor pull. New this year is a Polar Bear plunge where participants can take a plunge into an icy pool.\n"The SOS team has been working extremely hard programming not only the event itself but some pre-event activities such as band benefits, car smash, radio interviews and live remotes," adviser Joanne K. Orrange said. "They are working hard on securing numerous sponsors and increasing the awareness of SOS throughout the campus community along with the Bloomington community." \nThere are several events every year at SOS, with this year being no exception. They include tournament sports, spirit games, special events and team packages. \nThere is also a celebrity auction scheduled for 9 p.m. Items include an autographed Wheaties box by Muhammad Ali, a Pacers autographed basketball, St. Louis Cardinals tickets and other autographed pictures and posters.\n"It has taken a highly motivated volunteer group to put this special fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana together," student volunteer Michael Hadt said. "Everybody has worked hard and a countless amount of time has been spent working together." \nFor the past 27 years, Spirit of Sport has striven to develop awareness and financial support for Special Olympics Indiana. The student volunteers hope to raise $20,000.\n"Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 to give to Special Olympics Indiana and with the great, enthusiastic team we have this year, I believe our goal is well within our reach," SOS President Beth Gillis said.\nLast year, SOS raised $17,000 for Special Olympics. They have raised over $275,000 since 1976. The 2002 event had over 3,000 participants in 55 events. \nThe SOS is still looking for volunteers to help out on Feb. 7 at HPER WIldermuth. You can pick up a brochure in HPER Wildermuth, the SRSC, any IDS newsstand, TIS and IU Bookstores, from an SOS Committee member or visit the Spirit of Sport Web site at www.recsports.indiana.edu/sos. \nIf you want to participate, you must signup before Feb. 4.
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