BRRRtual Polar Plunge
We can't all be together in person this year - but that doesn't mean you can't still show your support for Special Olympics Iowa!

Celebrate the BRRRtual Polar Plunge your own way and from the comfort of your home! You choose your own plunge method and send us pictures and videos. We encourage you to post your at-home version of a Polar Plunge on the Facebook event page! To make your plunge extra frosty, we're giving out prizes for best snowman, best igloo, and best snow angel, as well as best costume, most creative plunge, and of course, top fundraiser.


Date: Saturday, December 5
Fundraising Minimum: $75
Theodore Roosevelt High School
Receives National Recognition
In the spring of 2019, Unified student leaders at Theodore Roosevelt High School began the application process to become a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School. In August Theodore Roosevelt High School found out that all of their hard work paid off when they were recognized as Iowa's first Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School.

This past month Theodore Roosevelt High School was recognized not one but two more times for their commitment to creating an inclusive school atmosphere. Theodore Roosevelt High School was one of 36 schools, chosen out of the 7,600 Unified Champion Schools across the country, that made up the 2020 Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools ESPN Honor Roll. On October 12, Theodore Roosevelt High School found out that they were not only an Honor Roll school, but they were also selected to be one of the 2020 ESPN Top 5 Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools. Congratulations Roughriders!
12 Days of Special Olympics Iowa
Our last virtual event of 2020 will include 12 straight days of fun opportunities to connect with fellow athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and fans. The 12 Days of Special Olympics Iowa is a two-part event that includes an at-home competition and virtual activities. The at-home competition will feature events in bocce, cycling, and fitness. The virtual activities will include caroling, building a gingerbread house, story-telling, and a LIVE workout among other things.

At-Home Competition: November 9-December 14
12 Days of Virtual Activities: December 7-18
Join Us for a Virtual Adventure Scavenger Hunt Presented by The Lohse Family Foundation Fund
Virtual Adventure Scavenger Hunt Runs: November 16-November 20
Cost per Team: $200

Will your team take home the $500 prize?
We Want to Hear From You
Special Olympics Iowa, in collaboration with the Center for Disabilities and Development, is working to expand the referral network of quality healthcare providers for our athletes and all individuals with intellectual disabilities. We have created an anonymous survey for our athletes and those who spend time with them to share about the dental care they currently receive. Our hope is that this will help us better understand the needs of our community, as well as provide a chance for athletes and others with intellectual disabilities to recommend providers they trust that we can add to our referral network.

By participating in this survey, you are helping us gather a list of wants and needs of the community allowing us to begin creating an easier, more accessible way for Special Olympics athletes across Iowa to receive the best care.

As a thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey, email kneustrom@soiowa.org when you have completed the survey, and we will enter your name into a raffle drawing for an electric toothbrush.

Special Olympics Iowa Pen Pal Program

The Special Olympics Iowa Pen Pal Program is looking to keep athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and fans connected while we all do our part to stay healthy and stop the spread of COVID-19. Take a break from the computer and connect with fellow members of the Special Olympics Iowa community by sending creative handwritten letters. The program is set to launch on December 17, with each participant receiving a Pen Pal Kit that they can use to send letters to their pen pal.


Registration Opens: Monday, November 2
Program Runs: December 17, 2020 - March 5, 2021
The Finish Line Youth Foundation
Will Double Your Gift

This holiday season the Finish Line Youth Foundation is hosting its annual holiday drive to raise funds for Special Olympics. Donate between now and December 31, and your gift will be matched to help 2x the athletes unleash their inner champion.
Athletes Can Still Join the SONA Stride Challenge
Special Olympics athletes from across the North America region are getting (or staying) fit this fall by participating in the SONA Stride Challenge! Participants track the distance they run, walk or roll in their wheelchair each week and submit that distance to put themselves in the running to earn a coveted spot on the region-wide leaderboard. Athletes will have an opportunity to earn a Fitbit, as well as other cool prizes, during the challenge.

The challenge has begun, but athletes who are interested in joining the challenge are still encouraged to do so.


Challenge Runs: October 19 - December 13
Virtual Fall Competition
It has been seven months since we have been able to hold in-person competitions, but that hasn't stopped our athletes, Unified partners, and coaches from training and keeping that competitive fire alive. During the first-ever Special Olympics Iowa Virtual Fall Competition, over 125 athletes, Unified partners, and coaches competed in football skills and cheerleading events. Once the competition scores were submitted, athletes had fun coming together for the Virtual Fall Competition Series which included fall-themed sessions.
Night of Inclusion
Presented by the IMT Des Moines Marathon
The Night of Inclusion presented by the IMT Des Moines Marathon was held on October 15. The event included an online silent auction and an evening program that shared updates from the state office and a look at how athletes are staying engaged during this time.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Night of Inclusion presented by the IMT Des Moines Marathon. With your help, over $45,000 was raised for Special Olympics Iowa.
Coaches Corner
We are excited to share that Class A Volunteer certification and re-certification can now be completed online in three steps.
  1. Complete the Class A Volunteer Application and background check
  2. Take the Protective Behavior Training and quiz
  3. submit a color photo, passport quality, to classa@soiowa.org