Giving Guide: Special Olympics Arkansas

by ABPG Staff on February 5, 2020

Special Olympics Athlete Danny Harrell swings for the fences during the 2018 USA Games in Seattle where Team Arkansas brought home the gold in unified softball.

MISSION

Special Olympics Arkansas is an organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport every day around the state. Through programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics Arkansas is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, solving the global injustice, isolation, intolerance and inactivity they face.

Special Olympics Arkansas serves 13,000 young athletes ages 2-7, 15,000 athletes ages 8 and up and has 5,000 volunteers in all counties across the state of Arkansas. They also provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Young Athlete Everett McAuliffe works on his throwing skills at a local Young Athletes sports skills event.

FUNDRAISERS AND EVENTS

Special Olympics Arkansas hosts 240 competitions and numerous health education and screening events year-round. The largest event of the year is Summer Games, hosted every May at Harding University in Searcy. Join in for these upcoming events:

• Attend Charity Olive Hour on Oct. 17 at Next Level Events. Charity Olive Hour is the signature live and silent auction where guests enjoy a laid back atmosphere with more than 300 items to bid on.

• Be Bold Get Cold with a Polar Plunge team. Raise money for athletes in your region while earning prizes. Find a Polar Plunge near you on the website’s calendar of events.

• The competitions are not as special without fans. Volunteer with your organization or business to be fans in the stands during one of the 240 competitions year-round.

• Are you a health care professional? Volunteer for the Healthy Athletes program or attend a professional development series.

• Advocate for inclusive schools by joining the Unified Champion Schools movement.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Special Olympics Arkansas is always looking for partners in competitions, health programming, school programs or training events. Reach out to Camie Powell at Camie@SpecialOlympicsArkansas.org to find out how you can be involved in making a transformative impact today.