Tell your story here. Why did you choose to raise money for the Special Olympics? What is the special occasion for which you are raising money - birthday, bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, anniversary, etc? What made you decide on the Special Olympics as the beneficiary? Be as specific and compelling as possible.

Sports have always been one of the biggest parts of my life, and playing sports is something that I truly love. I believe that children of all abilities should get to have the opportunity to play sports. That is why for my Bat Mitzvah project I am raising money for the Special Olympics of New Jersey. The Special Olympics is an organization that raises money and provides training for those with intellectual disabilities that want to play sports. I believe that talent comes in so many different forms, and just because someone has a disability, it does not mean they are not talented. Some major benefits of this program are self-confidence and social skills. No amount is too small, and every dollar is greatly appreciated by this organization. The donations are used towards special equipment and great trainers for the kids. My hope is that the funds that I raise can help to give children with disabilities the opportunity to build their love for sports, increase their confidence, have a ton of fun, and make some new friends along the way. Thank you for helping to support this important cause! Love, Lila

In memoriam of Leslie Raber, I wanted to create a way to celebrate her legacy with a fundraiser benefiting the Special Olympics. This organization was a big part of Leslie's life. She was crowned Miss Special Olympics in 1982, as well as, she participated in the International Special Olympics games. Leslie loved sports and to name a few, she participated in gymnastics, hockey, skiing and tennis. Leslie touched all of our lives and may her spirit live within in us. Love you Leslie!

In Loving Memory if Jordan Lee Ruark I have been asked if we were taking donations and our family would love it if you would donate to the Special Olympics instead. Jordan loves the Special Olympics and it was something that he always looked forward to doing. His favorite sport was Track. He was the fastest runner I knew and now he has run into the arms of Jesus.

Special Olympics has played an important role in The Nelson Family for many years. Holly, sister of the groom and bridesmaid, has been an athlete in the Special Olympics program, participating in her favorite activities including bowling, basketball, and the 50 meter walk. In lieu of wedding gifts, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Special Olympics. With love and appreciation, Mallory and Conner

Thank you everyone for supporting Special Olympics and for your tribute to Allan DeFranco.

AmericAid Our mission at Americaid is to provide support and resources to children in need. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their health circumstances. As a donor, you will directly support the well-being of a child in need. Building healthy foundations for a brighter future.

As a Artist I understand the important role devloping and sharing special talents plays in living a full life. The opportunity to pusue a passion, set goals and experience success has the power to break isolation. The Special Olympics provides its athletes with these exciting community opportunities and assists all participants in developing life long skills, support, and friendships that lead to a life balanced with joy, love, passion and hard work. As the owner of Arrow Artistic Endeavors Gallery I selected the Special Olympics for their dedication to diversity, inclusion, and encouragement for their athletes. Together I believe that we can continue to strengthen that dedication and break isolation. In addition to establishing a fundraiser for these very special athletes and silent auction events 20% of all original artwork goes to benefit the Special Olympics program. Please join me and Arrow Artistic Endeavors Gallery in providing equipment, training and travel for the next Special Olympic Games. Visit us to learn more at Artpal.com/cdwhitmore45 or Arrowartistic@instagram for additional information on silent auction events and original art purchases.

Like many young athletes, my daughter, has found community and belonging with her Special Olympics team. Please join me in donating what you can to support an organization that creates an inclusive, encouraging, empowering space for people of all abilities. Follow @seanw4y on Instagram for more!

As a Artist I understand the important role devloping and sharing special talents plays in living a full life. The opportunity to pusue a passion, set goals and experience success has the power to break isolation. The Special Olympics provides its athletes with these exciting community opportunities and assists all participants in developing life long skills, support and friendships that lead to a life balanced with joy, love, passion and hard work. As the owner of Arrow Artistic Endeavors Gallery I selected the Special Olympics for their dedication to diversity, inclusion and encouragement for their athletes. Together I believe that we can continue to strengthen that dedication and break isolation. In addition to establishing a fundraiser for these very special athletes and silent auction events 20% of original artwork sales goes to benefit the Special Olympics program. Please join me and Arrow Artistic Endeavors Gallery in providing equipment and training for the next Special Olympic Games. Visit Artpal.com/cdwhitmore45 or Arrowartistic@instagram for more information on silent auction events and original art purchases. Thank you for supporting this great cause.

Want to join me in supporting a good cause? I'm raising money for Special Olympics and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. I've included information about Special Olympics below. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults 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.

Kayleigh Canavan Please help me in raising funds for Youth Special Olympics! Special Olympics gives people with intellectual disabilities (ID) the confidence they need to succeed, on and off the playing field. For every person with ID helped, there are 13 others in the U.S. waiting on the sidelines to get in the game. Special Olympics is about transforming lives, including your own. It's about a spirit of giving and teamwork. It's about making your community and neighborhood a more welcoming and accepting place for people of all abilities. It's also about creating lifelong friendships and finding a new way of thinking about others.

Hello friends and family! Our team made it the Virginia Basketball State Championships and we took home the Bronze medal! We have had our uniforms for ~10 years and are in need of new ones so we are starting a fundraiser! Thank you in advance for your help to support our athletes! A bit more on Special Olympics below: “Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence and fulfillment—on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.”

The Tau Psi Omega (Reds) fraternity at Gustavus Adolphus College are a group of predominately football players, as well as other athletes on campus, who want to support and give back to Special Olympics. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to compete in a sport, and most importantly be able to build relationships with others and enjoy their time on the court, field, rink, etc. as an athlete. We plan to partner with Special Olympics annually and grow as a fraternity through the process.

Joan is turning 90 yes 90 on April 15th In lieu for gifts, please consider donating to one of Joan’s favorite charities The Special Olympics. Thank you all for making Joan’s birthday wish come true.

This beautiful lady in blue is my mom. She and I did not have a close relationship during my adult years -- partly because I did not have (human) grandkids for her to spoil. Nonetheless, I have loved her every single minute of my life, and feel truly privileged to have had her as my mother for the past 51 years.She experienced a countless number of difficult times in her lifetime, to include making an immeasurable number of sacrifices for her 5 kids, working from sun up to sun down, running from one job to the other -- and sometimes also making amazingly gorgeous wedding cakes and clothing for extra cash. Though her primary job was a school bus driver.In spite of her many struggles and very little free time, for as long as I can remember, she managed to find silver linings to most every situation, and regularly shared smiles with anyone who needed one.Likewise, she had a talent for making others feel important, and remained humble at all times. She never looked down on anyone -- no matter their title or level of income. She would show just as much respect to a janitor, as she would a doctor. I remember like it was yesterday, riding on her school bus to my very first day of kindergarten, carrying a Snow White lunch box, wearing my (adorable) green and white Winnie The Pooh dress. By the time I had reached junior high, she had taken additional, specialized medical-type training offered by the school board, so she could transition to driving a bus with a wheelchair lift, transporting only handicapped children to/from school -- then never looked back. She fell head over heels for those extra special kids. She had truly found her calling. She showed gentleness, compassion, patience, and respect to literally hundreds upon hundreds of mentally and physically challenged children prior to retirement many years later.Even while 'off the clock', she regularly spoke of them to me and my siblings, as she bubbled over with love and empathy for 'her other kids.'I suspect the day she turned in her school bus after her very last route (of thousands), was one of the saddest days of her life.Please consider donating, and/or volunteering a few hours of your time to help the #SpecialOlympics branch in your area, as a way of expressing a bit of admiration for the wonderful human being known as Dorothy Oletha Free.

My partner Evan and I are both avid athletes. Evan is a varsity basketball player while I am a varsity soccer player. Sports are essential to society, providing social and physical benefits. We believe the joy in sports should be available and spread to everyone, able or not. At our school, Newark Academy, we have created a 3v3 basketball tournament with an entry fee of $10 per team to raise money. Additionally, we hope for any further donations to be made in support of the cause.

In lieu of bridal or couple shower gifts, we'd like to raise funds for a few causes near and dear to our hearts -- and the hearts of people we love. Thank you to our friends working in the disability advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion spaces, and thank YOU for your generosity!

It is with the saddest regret we announce the passing of Marian Jackson. She was genuine, compassionate, and kind to everyone no matter the circumstance and wil be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers. Please consider donating to this fundraiser as this would put a smile on her face. Thank you all. -The Jackson and Aderhold Family

Happy 40th Birthday Donnie! Donnie’s compassion was one of the traits I fell in love with. He has always had a special place in his heart for the Special Olympics, often volunteering! In lieu of gifts please consider donating to this worthy cause!

Hi All! I'm competing in the Wisconsin Ironman on September 10th to raise money for the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults 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. Thanks!Hank

I am so excited to be participating in the 2023 Chicago triathlon and even more excited for the opportunity to fundraiser for special Olympics! Getting involved in triathlons has reignited my love for sport and inclusion - something everyone should have access to. Special Olympics creates opportunities for us all to celebrate in sport. I am hoping to raise $500 by the race and hope you will support me in any way you can! Thank you so much! Luke

Hi, my name is Sarah Silver, and I am a 7th grader at Terrill Middle School. I will become a Bat Mitzvah on November 18, 2023. For my Bat Mitzvah project, I have decided to raise money for the Special Olympics. I developed a passion for swimming since I was little and I love watching sports, especially football. I thought it was perfect for me to raise money for the Special Olympics to help support their mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience the joy of participating in a sport—just as I experience as a member of the JCC Barracudas swim team. To raise money, I will hold a Swim-a-Thon where I will swim 1,800 yards and am asking for a donation of at least 1 cent per yard ($18 total). I hope you will donate to my cause. Thank you!Sarah

Hey, Cardinal Division! As a Lieutenant Governor for a nonprofit organization called Key Club, one of my responsibilities is to hold a Lieutenant Governor's Project, in which I would contribute to an organization of my choosing. I decided to pick Special Olympics because at school, I peer tutor students with intellectual disabilities, and it has completely changed my life. Special Olympics has the same values that go into the peer tutoring I do at my school, which is why I want to support it. I think allowing everyone to play sports opens doors and greatly benefits them! I am super excited to be supporting Special Olympics!

Gamma Phi Iota Gamma Phi Iota values friendship, kindness, and the support of one another. We think that the Special Olympics organization is one built on bringing people together and creating new opportunities through inclusive sports. The Gammas have many alumni and actives working in education and feel that this foundation aligns with our values. Please help us in support of The Special Olympics.

Hi, my name is Sarah Silver, and I am a 7th grader at Terrill Middle School. I will become a Bat Mitzvah on November 18, 2023. For my Bat Mitzvah project, I have decided to raise money for the Special Olympics. I developed a passion for swimming since I was little and I love watching sports, especially football. I thought it was perfect for me to raise money for the Special Olympics to help support their mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience the joy of participating in a sport—just as I experience as a member of the JCC Barracudas swim team. To raise money, I will hold a Swim-a-Thon where I will swim 1,800 yards and am asking for a donation of at least 1 cent per yard ($18 total). I hope you will donate to my cause. Thank you!Sarah

Hi, my name is Sarah Silver, and I will become a Bat Mitzvah on November 18, 2023. For my Bat Mitzvah project, I have decided to raise money for the Special Olympics. I developed a passion for swimming since I was little and I love watching sports, especially football. I thought it was perfect for me to raise money for the Special Olympics to help support their mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience the joy of participating in a sport—just as I experience as a member of the JCC Barracudas swim team. To raise money, I will hold a Swim-a-Thon where I will swim 1,800 yards and am asking for a donation of at least 1 cent per yard ($18 total). I hope you will donate to my cause. Thank you!Sarah

The Mars Agency Thank you so much for your contribution to the Special Olympics! What does your generous donation support? Sports & GamesSpecial Olympics offers 30-plus Olympic-style individual and team sports that provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities. Inclusive HealthOver the past two decades, Special Olympics has improved the health of people with ID around the world by collaborating with our athletes, health care providers, community organizations, universities, and governments. Unified SchoolsStudents of all abilities have the power to positively impact their school communities by promoting social inclusion. Special Olympics Unified Schools empowers youth and educators to be leaders of change.

Tell your story here. Why did you choose to raise money for the Special Olympics? What is the special occasion for which you are raising money - birthday, bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, anniversary, etc? What made you decide on the Special Olympics as the beneficiary? Be as specific and compelling as possible.

Tell your story here. Why did you choose to raise money for the Special Olympics? What is the special occasion for which you are raising money - birthday, bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, anniversary, etc? What made you decide on the Special Olympics as the beneficiary? Be as specific and compelling as possible.