Tickets are available for the dinner portion of the event, including an inspiring program, raffles and live entertainment at The Grove Country Club in Long Grove on June 7.
May 24, 2021 (VPR) Long Grove, IL. – Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) has been a defining passion over the last 17 years for the Thompson family of Lake Zurich. Twenty-five-year-old Dylan, a SOILL athlete and the oldest of the family’s triplets, is the reason why his parents, two brothers and a sister have been so deeply involved with SOILL since 2004.
Mom Betsy has been an avid volunteer and active fundraiser since Dylan began competing at the age of 8; first in track and field, and later in gymnastics, bowling, basketball, bocce ball and golf. His father Tom is an SOILL board of director and has served in this leadership role since 2008. The couple is hosting a Special Olympics Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament and Dinner fundraiser on Monday, June 7 beginning at 5 p.m. at The Grove Country Club, 3217 Route 53 in Long Grove.
“If you have never attended a Special Olympics event, I urge you to do so. It will change your life to see how the lives of these athletes are forever altered due to their involvement,” Betsy said. “There is no question we get more than we give; it has truly been a gift.”
When Dylan was growing up, the family noticed he was always happier when he could be busy and physically active. “Special Olympics has given Dylan and other athletes the opportunity to feel accomplished—and to appreciate the accomplishments of their fellow athletes,” Betsy said.
Dylan’s three siblings are also supporters and true advocates for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Big brother Tommy has been Dylan’s caregiver and will head to Illinois State University this fall for his Special Education Teaching degree. Sister (and triplet) Allessandra raised $25,000 while attending Lake Zurich High School, when she was named SOILL Outstanding Volunteer of the Year and received the high school’s Charity of the Year award. She is now joining the Special Olympics Young Professional Board in Indiana where she lives. Brother and triplet Matthew has coached Dylan’s gymnastics team for the last several years, building deep bonds with him and his teammates, while tirelessly volunteering for SOILL at every opportunity.
The Special Olympics oath embodies what the Thompson family has consistently witnessed through Dylan, over the years; “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
While the opportunity to golf with pro amateurs at the event recently sold out, dinner tickets are still available and include appetizers and a cocktail hour, three-course meal, 3-hour open bar, exciting raffles, an inspirational program that tells the story of SOILL, along with live entertainment.

Funds raised will help to ensure Special Olympics Illinois athletes in Lake, McHenry and northern Cook counties can participate in sport competitions, at no cost, across the state.
Sponsorships are available until June 2 at www.soill.org/golf. For more information, please contact Jordan Feldman, Special Olympics Illinois region director at 847-209-1247 or via email at jfeldman@soill.org.
The Thompson family would like to thank the following event sponsors:
• Gold Sponsors: BVV CBD, Wabash Power, Watchtower Wealth and Georgia Nut Company
• Silver Sponsors: Cross Country Mortgage, LLC, Edge Electrical Systems, Countryside Industries, Fuchs & Roselli Ltd, Linkage Capital Management, LLC, Restricted Article Specialists, Inc. and Muir Insurance Group
• Bronze Sponsor: Bankers’ Bank, Plasticade and Pan American Bank & Trust

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