Every year, we honor participants, staff, and community partners at our Annual Awards Banquet. Since we were unable to hold our festivities this year, we would like to honor our 2020 award winner virtually!

Wylan Bird – Youth Participant of the Year

Wylan brings so much happiness to CUSR. Our staff have absolutely loved watching him grow over the years and getting to know his fun personality. Wylan has been a regular After School Program and Camp participant at CUSR. Staff described Wylan as lovable and adventurous. He loves playing at the playground, listening to stories, building tents and forts, tracing pictures, reciting lines from his favorite characters, and so much more! We are so proud of Wylan and cherish having him in our programs.

Angela Bronson – Adult Participant of the Year

Angela is a joy to interact with. Her inviting personality and awesome dance moves are some of the best things we at CUSR get to witness when she is at programs. Staff members and participants at CUSR consistently talk about her willingness to help. She has helped many new participants and staff feel welcome and a part of CUSR. It has been a joy to watch her participate in our theatre programs, dances, and sports activities. The participants and staff talk about how joyful, helpful, and kind she is. Her smile, positivity, and awesome dance moves never go unnoticed and it is a pleasure to have her at programs.

Kaydence Rice – Female Athlete of the Year

Kaydence is a dynamic athlete. She has participated in basketball, volleyball, and aquatics. She is a natural when it comes to athletics, but that does not stop her from working hard at each practice to improve. What is even more impressive than her athletic ability is her sportsmanship. She embodies every aspect of a great teammate and competitor. Kaydence brings positivity and fun to every practice or competition she is at. Staff and participants love being around her, and we are lucky to have her here at CUSR!

Kevin Livingston – Male Athlete of the Year

Kevin is an incredibly talented athlete and a fierce competitor. Over the years, he as participated in softball, basketball, track & field, bowling. He brings his natural athletic ability and dedication to being the best he can be to every sport he participates in. He is a leader to his teammates. It is a pleasure to see Kevin shine through athletics, and to experience how much fun he has with his teammates and coaches.

Diojanae Terry – Youth & Teen Staff of the Year

Didi is a bright light at CUSR. You can always find her engaged with the participants – whether its singing, dancing, crafts, playing on the playground, you name it! It is always a fun time when she is around. Didi is nurturing, enthusiastic, and committed to giving our youth & teen participants the best experience possible while they are at our programs. She is a supportive co-worker and dedicated employee. Both staff and participants love being around her. We are so thankful for her contribution!

Tristan Elzy – Adult Staff of the Year

Tristan encompasses the qualities and values that we have at CUSR. Tristan always maintains a positive attitude and eagerness. Every time she comes into work she has a smile on her face and is ready to give the participants a quality program. It has been a joy to watch her grow and interact with the participants during dances and outings. The participants and staff members talk about how helpful, kind, and joyful she is. Tristan’s hard work and positivity never goes unnoticed and she is greatly appreciated by the staff and participants.

Sara Connolly – Athletic Staff of the Year

Sara has been one of our most consistent and dedicated coaches over the past several years. She has been our Mustang Aquatics coach since 2015, and an incredible asset to CUSR. Sara’s investment in each and every one of our athletes has helped so many of them improve their skills and reach new goals. Sara has been an excellent coach and mentor. Our athletes absolutely love getting to work with her. She brings so much positivity to practices and competitions. We are so fortunate to have a coach that embodies everything we value at CUSR. Sara’s devotion to our program and athletes is second to none!

Elena Frizzell – Inclusion Staff of the Year

Elena has been an Inclusion Assistant at CUSR since 2017. During her time with us, she has been dependable, motivated, and courteous. Elena has been so devoted to the participants she has worked with. She is nurturing, goal-oriented, and puts forth great effort to meet each participant’s individual needs. She has worked at many CPD and UPD programs and provides unwavering support to all of her fellow inclusion staff, park district staff, and the participants. She is a true model of inclusion and very deserving of this award.

Anita Stein – Volunteer of the Year

We are thankful beyond measure for Anita here at CUSR. Anita has been an integral part of developing CUSR’s Theatre 101, Musical Theatre, and Film 101 programs. She has been involved from the very beginning of these programs, and her dedication has helped them continue to be successful. Anita writes scripts, mentors our actors, creates sets, props, and costumes, and makes our participants feel like the stars they are. She is an invaluable part of CUSR and so very deserving of our Volunteer of the Year award.

Special Olympics Illinois Region I – Friend of the Year

CUSR has a long history of working with Special Olympics Illinois. With their support, we are able to offer so many competitive sports and skills programs to our Mustang athletes. SOIL keeps us on top of coaches and volunteer trainings, competitions, and new program developments. Special Olympics contains so many of our most popular programs, and we are so thankful to SOIL for equipping us such excellent resources, information, and opportunities to allow us to provide the best variety of programs to our participants!

Here are the steps to help:

1. Please head to the app store on your phone to download the Double Good Popcorn app, or click one of these depending on your type of smart phone :

• IPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/double-good/id1401184723 >>
• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.doublegood.nativeapp >>

2. Once downloaded, the app will walk you through next steps to set up your store. The app will ask for a fundraiser code to connect you with our campaign:

Fundraiser Code: GGQNPO

3. At that point, you should be able to personalize your store with a message and photo. There are videos on the homepage of the app to help walk you through the process as well.

• We kindly ask that each of you edit the message of your store to read: “I’m raising money for CUSR’s scholarship fund to financially assist Champaign and Urbana residents with disabilities to attend recreational programs and events.”
• Please use this photo for your store image! >>

4. In you store, you will see a giant “share pop-up store link” button. At 5p on November 27, 2022, click that link and share with everyone you know (text, email, social media, etc.) until the close of our campaign on December 1, 5p.

5. If you preview your store, scroll to see a button for participants to “make a popcorn donation” that will be delivered to a first responders. We do not get to choose the first responders, but we still receive half of the proceeds.

6. Here is the link to the scholarship fund in case donors want to give directly to the foundation.>>

If you are having trouble creating your own store but still want to participate, that’s okay! You can buy popcorn from the CUSR Pop-Up Store!

CUSR Pop-Up Store >>

Thank you for your support!

We appreciate your help building up the CUSR scholarship fund. Your assistance helps provide a world of opportunity to our participants.

Cupcake 5K is Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation’s biggest fundraiser of the year! Due to last year’s record breaking attendance, we were able to financially support more participants than ever before. We are hoping to raise more to help more by going virtual this year!

Perks of Virtual Cupcake 5K:

-Get to Run, Walk, or Roll ANYWHERE!
-You get to pick the time and day during the event | beginning October 23 and ending November 1.
-Create your own Roll-N-Stroll party for safe social distancing fun. (Don’t forget your masks!)
-You’ll be supporting local individuals with disabilities.
-Register by October 14 and you’ll get the 2020 race t-shirt.
-Cupcakes will still be involved with the race!

But where are some good places you can participate in the CUSR Virtual Cupcake 5K? Here are a few of our favorite places to go around C-U:

Last Year’s Cupcake 5K Map

We always hear how much Cupcake 5K participants love our usual course. This course starts in Dodds Park, circles the Parkland College Campus and neighboring community, and finishes where it began.

Please Note: Since roads are fully open to vehicles throughout the course, racing on the road is not suggested. Please be mindful of traffic if you choose this course.

Custom Course!

If you want to do your own thing and create your perfect course, that works too! Here’s a list of the Top 10 Apps for tracking your progress of your race.

**15 Points to Gryffindor for anyone who creates a cupcake shaped course!

Tracking Apps >>

Leonhard Recreation Center

Leonhard Recreation Center is open for members and day pass holders to use! This will be a perfect place to Run, Walk, or Roll indoors. With the option of a treadmill or using the indoor walking track, you’re sure to stay warm while you 5K.

All LRC members and day pass holders must wear a mask inside the facility at all times. They also require anyone intending to use the facility sign up for a timeslot online to help control then number of attendees throughout the facility.

Please visit Champaign Park District mobile app or website for more information.

LRC Info >>

Christie Clinic Illinois 5K Route!

Might as well train for the Christie Clinic Illinois 5K Run/Walk on Friday, April 30, 2021 by using the race course for Virtual Cupcake 5K!

Please Note: Since roads are fully open to vehicles throughout the course, racing on the road is not suggested. Please be mindful of traffic if you choose this course.

Visit the Illinois Marathon website for more information.

Illinois Marathon Info >>

Champaign & Urbana Parks and Trails!

We are fortunate enough to have access to so many beautiful parks throughout Champaign & Urbana. With our Virtual Cupcake 5K, you can participant in any of our local parks and trails! We’ve gathered a selection of parks & trails you can use during the week of the philanthropic event-October 23-November 1.

Your Own Home!

If you have a treadmill or some rollers at home, you can participate there! Maybe even circle your home a few several times until you’ve reached 3.2 miles? Still counts!

Where ever you decide to participate in the CUSR Virtual Cupcake 5K, with the proceeds raised from your registration, individuals with disabilities in Champaign-Urbana participate in fun recreation activities.

Deadline to register and receive the new t-shirt design for this philanthropic fitness event is October 14, 2020. You will still be able to register for the race all the way up until October 28 but you will have to purchase a shirt if you miss the first deadline. Extra T-shirt proceeds also benefit the CUSR Scholarship Fund!

Thank you for your support!

Register Online Today >>