Happy Volunteer Month!
Thank you for the incredible support you continue to give to athletes! Volunteers are the heart of Special Olympics Oregon and their passion and engagement in sports and recreation continues to build confidence, connectedness, and hope. Their work is so powerful in helping our participants succeed both on and off the sports field, which is awe-inspiring.
For National Volunteer Month, we are showcasing several areas where volunteers are making an incredible impact in the lives of children and adults living with intellectual disabilities. Our necessary shift to virtual programming over the last year would have been impossible without so many people who embraced doing things differently to ensure the athletes stayed active and engaged. Make sure to follow us on social throughout the month for many fun stories.
There are still many opportunities to join the fun virtually this summer by providing coaching, education, and support to athletes across Oregon. Visit our website to learn more!
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LouAnne Tabada
Senior Director, Program & Volunteer Services
Special Olympics Oregon
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Join us for a 4-week movement challenge to see how many minutes of exercise you can complete each week. How you exercise is up to you! Any type of intentional exercise or movement will count towards your minutes.
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Come celebrate the many successes students have had during the past virtual year and get connected with other students from around the state! Learn about Unified Champion Schools and the many inclusive.
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Be the first to register for Dog Days of Summer on April 30th!
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On March 19th, Special Olympics Oregon announced that it will offer a Summer Virtual Season featuring 5 different sport choices as we continue to provide at-home programming until it is deemed safe to return to in-person gatherings.
Special Olympics Oregon will be hosting two Virtual Town Hall Meetings (via Facebook Live)
Tuesday, April 27 from 6 pm – 7 pm & Wednesday, April 28 from 12 pm – 1 pm
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ESPORTS ATHLETE -
JAMES ROBERTS
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This year was a little challenging for James as he was not able to participate in any in-person activities. James says, “It was really hard not to do the sports you love”, however he did find one exciting program that kept him interacting with other students and staff from South Salem High School, SOOR's Esports League!
-Joe Harvey
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SOOR ACTIVE VOLUNTEER -
GREG EDWARDS
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Greg makes the best of our virtual world by taking the time to chat with each of the athletes a few times a week. He knows that social interaction is so important and enjoys checking in with the athletes on form and sports skills, but also just catching up about what’s happening in their lives.
-LouAnne Tabada
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SOOR INTERN - RICK FRASER |
Rick was a little nervous when he first started coaching, but then realized how much he liked working with the athletes, teaching them skills and seeing their success. His 10-year-old daughter, Aydenn, likes to watch the training sessions and Rick says that she has learned a lot about inclusion which has had a very positive impact on her life.
-LouAnne Tabada
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UCS PARTNER - JILL CARNEY |
Jill started a successful Unified Sports program at Forest Grove High School that competes alongside other school teams and as part, she has countless memories and outstanding accomplishments under her belt. Jill was honored as the 2015-2016 Oregon Coaches Association Unified Coach of the year.
-Alix Wasteney
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Partner Spotlight: Jersey Mike's
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We are so grateful for our partnership with Jersey Mike's Subs and this year's 11th annual Month of Giving! The final tally is in, and Jersey Mike's raised $190,705 to support Special Olympics athletes across Oregon.
On behalf of the entire Special Olympics Oregon family - thank you to every Jersey Mike's team member who participated in serving unprecedented crowds and orders to support the mission of Special Olympics.
Thank you to all who ate delicious subs throughout the month of March, like Jennifer Bates and the team at AKS Engineering! Jennifer, who is a parent to two SOOR athletes, put a call out to her office to order during Day of Giving and they delivered! Their order, along with the thousands of orders during Month of Giving, will directly benefit our participants across the state.
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"This is Gavin, one of the managers at the Sherwood Jersey Mike's. He played football for Sherwood HS, and they did a lot of volunteer work for SOOR, so he was really excited to help. He also has friends/classmates that have taken part in
Unified Sports."
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We recently wrapped up the 2021 Winter Virtual Games with a closing ceremonies.
THANK YOU to everyone who participated and supported the Winter Virtual Games this past season.
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Our Mission
Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children, youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
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