Region I Taste of Something Special

COVID Procedures

Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines.  Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible.  While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority.  All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:

https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf

What is Taste of Something Special?

On Thursday, October 6th, Special Olympics Illinois Region I will host the 13th Annual Taste of Something Special. The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m.  The Taste of Something Special has a variety of engaging activities throughout the night.  Attendees can enjoy an evening filled with wine tasting, beer sampling, a meal from La Luna Mexican Food truck, silent auction, your choice raffle, and a wine cork pull. All proceeds from the event benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois Region I.

Facility Information

Guest check-in is in the back where parking is at the WalkWay.  Overflow parking is the Discount Tobacco next door.  I get permission from them because they close at 5pm.  Parking is not encouraged in the front of the building as that is where the outside Food Tasting Garden & food truck is located.

Event Details

Patrons will be able to purchase the wines and spirits that are available for sampling that evening. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 at by clicking the button below. Tickets will also be for sale on the night of for $25 at the door. All attendees will receive a gift, along with 8 wine tasting tickets.

The Silent Auction is open on-line now for viewing and bidding! Items can be bid on NOW through the night of the Taste of Something Special, where they will be displayed for patrons, until the close of the auction at 7:45pm. Some of the Silent Auction items include:
• Metal Art by Scott Mayer
• Patio Fire Pit full of beer & spirits
• Anthony V. Sheehan Stars & Stripes Run Basket
• And so much more!

The Your Choice Raffle will be auctioning a variety of great items that range from restaurant gift certificates to hand crafted pieces of art created by local supporters.

The Wine Cork Pull is back again this year! During the Wine Cork Pull, attendees have the choice to purchase one wine cork for $10 or three wine corks for $25 to have the chance to win the cork’s matching bottle of wine. The sisterhood of Omega Nu Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha will be coordinating the wine donations for this amazing opportunity for patrons to win some unique wines and/or trade wines with other guests!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

The Presenting sponsors for the 12th Annual Taste of Something Special:
• Koerner Distributing
• S&S Services
• The 19th Street Dairy Queen
• Sheehan Construction Services
• Omega Nu of ESA
• AND the Express Drive Thru in Mattoon

Who We Are

SOILL Region I provides programming for people with intellectual disabilities in Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Dewitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Logan, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Richland, Shelby, and Vermillion counties. The Region currently serves more than 1300 athletes, has 140 active agencies and more than 1,900 Class A volunteers. SOILL Region I offers competition for athletes in 12 sports. There are many opportunities available to get involved with Special Olympics, including serving as a volunteer or committee member, helping with fundraising or competing as an athlete. If you live in the Area and want to find out more about the local program, please contact Region I Asst. Director Vanessa Duncan at 217-273-4485 or vduncan@soill.org.

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world.  Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life.  Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.