St. Jude Meet online!

General Information:

The 18th Annual St. Jude Benefit Meet will take place on January 17th & 18th, 2009 at the Peoria Civic Center . During one weekend a year, athletes complete not only for individual and team awards, but also to help sick children live. Event organizers donate 100% of all net proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital . To date, this event has donated over 3/4 million dollars to St. Jude for the research and treatment of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

About St. Jude

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was founded in 1962 by the late entertainer, Danny Thomas. His dream was to help children so that “no child should die in the dawn of life.” Today, that dream is being realized at this amazing facility, which helps treat children suffering from catastrophic diseases like cancer, sickle cell disease, AIDS and other immune deficiency syndromes. Through donations, St. Jude has been able to further research which has led to a 90% survival rate for Acute Lymphocytic Lukemia (ALL), up from 4% when their doors first opened. For more information on the hospital, visit www.stjude.org.

Who Can Participate?

This event includes USA Gymnastics sanctioned Women’s Levels 4-10 gymnastics competitions, USA Gymnastics & USTA/AAU sanctioned tumbling, trampoline and double mini competitions. For more detailed information about each event, please contact Chevie Ruder at cheviejo86@yahoo.com

Hosted by

The St. Jude Meet Organizing Committee with support from local clubs including Central Illinois Tumbling & Trampoline, Pekin , IL , Gym Corner, Washington , IL and Jump Start Gymnastics, Peoria , IL .

Competition Site

201 SW Jefferson Street , Peoria , IL 61602

www.peoriaciviccenter.com

Registration Form & Deadline

Registration forms for each event will be available online or can be obtained by calling Chevie Ruder at (309) 397-4808. The completed form must be postmarked by November 18, 2008. All registration fees are due in full by December 1, 2008. Registration and information regarding the tumbling and trampoline competitions can be obtained by e-mailing Patti Melvin at rpdk@mtco.com.

Hotel Information

Rooms have been blocked for this event at the following hotels. Many of the participating hotels make a donation to St. Jude for each room night. Please make sure the hotel knows you are in town for this event.

Holiday Inn City Centre 500 Hamilton Blvd , Peoria 309-674-2000	Comfort Suites 1812 W Memorial Drive , Peoria 309-688-3800	Stoney Creek Inn 101 Mariners Way, East Peoria 309-694-1300
Springhill Suites 2701 W Lake, Peoria 309-681-2700	Super 8 Motel 1816 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria 309-688-8074	Best Western Ashland House 201 E Ashland Ave, Morton 309-263-5116
Embassy Suites 100 Conference Center Dr, E. Peoria 309-694-0200	AmericInn 9106 N Lindberg Dr , Peoria 309-692-9200	Jameson Inn 4112 N Brandywine Dr, Peoria 309-685-2556
Residence Inn by Marriott 2000 West War Memorial Drive, Peoria 309-681-9000 Ext. 409 www.marriott.com/piail	Ramada 4400 Brandywine Dr, Peoria 309-686-8000

Admission

1 day pass

$8.00/adult (13 & over)

$4.00/child (12 yr & under) & seniors (65 yrs & older)

Program

$5.00 per copy

Parking

$6.00 in any of the Civic Center lots. There are parking lots across from the Civic Center where parking is FREE. There is also, street parking available for free on Saturday and Sunday.

Silent Auction

A silent auction will be available during the meet full of autographed items from famed gymnastic athletes, summer camp weeks, and other interesting items. All proceeds benefit St. Jude.

Basket Raffle

Each participating team is asked to create and bring baskets to raffle. Past baskets have included iPods, American Girl dolls, travel DVD players, and many other fantastic items. Join us by preparing a basket and purchasing your tickets for the raffle. More information will be sent to registered teams.

Hospitality Party

Athletes and their families are invited to attend a Hospitality Party on Saturday, January 17, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. More information will be sent to registered teams.