Special Olympics

How Charming Photography Senior 2018 Model Ambassador Zoie Phegley organized a Community Outreach Initiative as a junior at Linton-Stockton High School. The event took place on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.

The Buddy Walk® was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 Walks planned for 2015 worldwide. In 2014, nearly $13 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy and public awareness initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

THANK YOU to our 2016 Event Sponsors

Ellettsville Dental Center
Nicky’s Hair Network
Landis Excavating, Inc.
Landis Equipment & Tool Rental
FLH Mill, LLC. / Ferree Log Homes
Carr-Thomas Construction
School Bears
Connie Wright
Kirk Wright
Mike and Jane Steward
Totally Whipped Cupcakery
J Ken and Tammy Wright – Abby and Molly
Kevin and Michelle Wright
Jathan and Krystal Wright – Morgan and Ellie
Andy and Shandi Wilson – Aiden and Adley
Mindy Wright

In Zoie’s Words …

“My name is Zoie Phegley. I’ve lived in Linton my entire life. My parents are Jerry and Jill Phegley. I am 16 years old and a junior at Linton-Stockton High School. I play basketball for the Lady Miners.

I was in second grade when I started having interests in special needs children. I’m not sure where it came from, it’s just the way I was. I made friends with different special needs children and tried to look out for them. I was in second grade when I started to get interested in wanting to be a teacher. Not long after talking about being a teacher, I knew I wanted to teach special needs.

I started Volunteering at the Special Olympics in Terre Haute three years ago. I’ve wanted to participate in a Buddy Walk for some time but it just hadn’t worked out. This year I really wanted to be sure I done the Buddy Walk. I wanted to do something to make it special. My mom’s friend has a granddaughter, Fiona, who has Down’s Syndrome. My mom talked to her and her family agreed to my plans.

That’s when I decided to put a group together to walk at the Buddy Walk in Bloomington at the Monroe County Fairgrounds September 25, 2016 at 1pm. I am having shirts printed for “Friends of Princess Fiona,” and trying to earn enough money to do something special for Fiona. We plan to make her a Princess for the day. I’m really excited about this and it feels good to do something for others.”

Due to the generosity of sponsors, etc. … This initiative was able to make Fiona a ‘Princess for a Day’. She received a special tiara, magic wand, a learning iPad mini, iTunes gift card, and special case (adorned with an event logo donated by Shad’s Signs).

Quote From Jill Phegley:
“There have been so many family, friends, co-workers, businesses that contributed to making Friends of Princess Fiona a success! In fear of leaving someone out I want to put out the most sincere Thank You, to each and everyone who supported this cause in any way, small or big! The hearts of so many have been such a blessing to Zoie, Heather, myself (Jill) and especially to Princess Fiona and her family! God Bless, each and everyone of you!”

Zoie Phegley, How Charming Photography Model Ambassador, took part in Special Olympics of Indiana Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 11, 2017. As a member of the ‘Greene County Popsicles’ (led by Linda Bedwell of Linton), she was ‘Freezin’ for a Reason’ during the event held at Indiana State University. She and other team members dressed as “Santa Claus’ on an unusually warm February Day.

Zoie received a number of items for participation and will awarded a special gift for raising over $300. Thank you to the following individuals who donated to her jump: Zach Phegley, Leora Mason and Justin Wright, Tami Sparks, Sierra Flater and Tammy Donaldson, Jathan and Krystal Wright, Kevin and Michelle Wright, Andy and Shandi Wilson, Connie Wright, Jerry and Jill Phegley, Rodney Robertson, Jon Kring, Mark Kinsman, Sydney Smith, and a number of other Anonymous Donors. Also, thanks to Amy Edwards and Sara Leigh Russell who donated to Brooklyn Franklin as well.

Click here to view all captured event photos. Due to crowd and roped off areas, photos were mobile captured only.

Zoie is a Senior 2018 Model Ambassador for How Charming Photography and a Senior at Linton-Stockton High School. She is returning to the Polar Plunge for 2018 as a Virtual Plunger to raise money for Special Olympics as a team member for the Greene County Popsicles.

Her goal was to raise at least $200 by the event which was February 17, 2018.
She met her goal by raising $215. Click here to view official results.