For me November is a reflective month of gratitude where my heart always turns to Special Olympics Oregon and what this organization means in the lives of so many people – children and adults across the state living with intellectual disabilities, their families, and their friends. It is inspiring to witness the power of sport as a transformational force of good in their lives and the resulting benefits of health, fitness, and friendships. I also think of the vast network of supporters who show up in the sun, rain, wind, and snow to pull planes, plunge into frigid waters, generously give time, talent, and treasure to celebrate our athletes. In a month of thankfulness and gratitude, I couldn’t appreciate the Special Olympics Oregon family more.
If you’d like a warm-fuzzy, you can celebrate the incredible success we had in 2021 by watching Breakfast with Champions presented by U.S. Bank or plan to make a splash in 2022 by registering for Polar Plunge (clarification – not a “warm” fuzzy)! Check out how our athletes and volunteers are returning to in-person activities at the community-based Local Programs and Unified Champion Schools or join us on Twitch to see our athletes compete in Esports presented by PlayStation at the national level. We thank you for your continued support for our athletes through your generous gift of time, engagement, or dollars. I wish you health and happiness as you close out 2021 and invite you to join us for what I know will be a great 2022 – there is always room on our bandwagon!
Britt Oase, CEO
Special Olympics Oregon
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Oregon's beloved winter tradition of Plunging into frigid waters each winter to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Oregon is back! After an amazing year of virtual Polar Plunges across the state, we are so excited to Plunge together in 2022.
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Your Giving Can Go Further!
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Support Special Olympics Oregon in 2022 with a donation via your tax refund, as a part of Oregon's Charitable Checkoff option.
You can automatically donate your Oregon kicker tax rebate to SOOR!
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Last week, high school student leaders from across the state gathered virtually to attend Special Olympics Oregon Unified Champion Schools Youth Leadership Rally. Led by SOOR's Alix Wasteney and SOOR athlete Jonathon Holcomb, students participated in a sports-style news segment that outlined the steps schools have taken towards inclusivity for everyone, and what students can look forward to for UCS and SOOR in 2022.
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Athlete
Dony Knight
Dony joined the Special Olympics Oregon movement in 1991 as a participant in swimming, track, soccer, softball, and basketball. As he grew as an athlete, Dony also grew as a leader; he served as Sutherland High School's VP for the Unified Partners Club, received countless awards and honors as a spokesman for SOOR and as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, and continues to participate in every athletic season and social event possible.
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Intern
Anna Hansen
Lauren Richards is one of our amazing facilitators in SOOR Active. She leads a weekly cardio class for athletes and has been involved with our SOOR Active fitness and wellness community for the past year. Last summer Lauren contacted SOOR to see how she could get involved and volunteer virtually, as she’d previously volunteered with Special Olympics and was very passionate about our mission.
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Partner
U.S. Bank
Thank you to Breakfast with Champions presenting partner, U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank recognizes the important and positive impact Special Olympics Oregon provides for our communities by making them more inclusive spaces for people to live, work, and play. Their continued support for our event, as well as the awarding of the $10,000 Play Pillar grant, means that SOOR can continue to provide inclusive programming in schools and communities across Oregon.
Thank you to U.S. Bank and all of the 2021 Breakfast with Champions sponsors!
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Wrap up the year with Special Olympics Oregon!
Starting today, November 8th, your gift of $65 or more will go to support our athletes and you will receive a Special Olympics ornament or Dreidel cookie cutter.
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Do you shop at Amazon?
Take your purchases further by shopping at smile.amazon.com and choosing Special Olympics Oregon!
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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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