Visit the Homepage for Special Olympics Washington Website
Donate
  1. Athlete Hotline
  2. Shop
  1. Participate
  2. Events
  3. Sports
  4. LETR
  5. Volunteer
  6. About
  1. Athlete Hotline
  2. Shop
  1. I'd like to
  2. become an athlete
  3. become a Unified partner
  4. become a volunteer
  5. become a coach
  6. find a local community
  7. make a donation
  8. connect to initiatives
  9. learn about health initiatives
  1. Become an Athlete
  2. Unified Champion Schools
  3. SO College
  4. Sports Results
  5. East Region Sports
  6. Southwest Region Sports
  7. Northwest Region Sports
  1. Alpine
  2. Athletics
  3. Basketball
  4. Bocce
  5. Bowling
  6. Cheerleading
  7. Cross Country Skiing
  8. Cycling
  1. Figure Skating
  2. Flag Football
  3. Golf
  4. Men's Artistic Gymnastics
  5. Powerlifting
  6. Snowboarding
  7. Snowshoeing
  8. Soccer
  1. Softball
  2. Speedskating
  3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  4. Swimming
  5. Team Washington
  6. Tennis
  7. Volleyball
  8. Women's Artistic Gymnastics
  9. Unified Sports
  10. Young Athletes
  1. Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign
  2. Signature Events
  3. Press Room
  4. Torch Run
  5. Contact
  6. LETR Resources
  1. Events Calendar
  2. Find a local community
  1. About
  2. Blog
  3. Contact
Back
I'd like to
  1. become an athlete
  2. become a Unified partner
  3. become a volunteer
  4. become a coach
  5. find a local community
  6. make a donation
  7. connect to initiatives
  8. learn about health initiatives
Volunteer with Us
Learn More
  1. Alpine
  2. Athletics
  3. Basketball
  4. Bocce
  5. Bowling
  6. Cheerleading
  7. Cross Country Skiing
  8. Cycling
  1. Figure Skating
  2. Flag Football
  3. Golf
  4. Men's Artistic Gymnastics
  5. Powerlifting
  6. Snowboarding
  7. Snowshoeing
  8. Soccer
  1. Softball
  2. Speedskating
  3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  4. Swimming
  5. Team Washington
  6. Tennis
  7. Volleyball
  8. Women's Artistic Gymnastics
  9. Unified Sports
  10. Young Athletes
  1. Become an Athlete
  2. Unified Champion Schools
  3. SO College
  4. Sports Results
  5. East Region Sports
  6. Southwest Region Sports
  7. Northwest Region Sports
  1. Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign
  2. Signature Events
  3. Press Room
  4. Torch Run
  5. Contact
  6. LETR Resources
LETR Final Leg
Learn More
  1. Events Calendar
  2. Find a local community
Event
Calendar
View Calendar
  1. About
  2. Blog
  3. Contact
Help Us Celebrate 50 Years by Sharing Your Story
View Latest Post
robotics_scaled_e1701983543427_1
By Ammar - December 07, 2023
  • 121 views
  • Listen to this article Pause the Article Resume the Article

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Ammar

Follow Us

specialolympicswashington

Special Olympics Washington BUILDS communities and LEADS in Wellness through Sports and Inclusion.
As we lead up to the 2025 State Spring Games, we’re sharing 50 stories to celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington! The Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program is one of the most transformative movements in our history. What began as a small pilot effort has grown into a statewide program, changing school culture through inclusive sports, youth leadership, and whole-school engagement. In schools across Washington, UCS is helping students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) form friendships, develop leadership skills, and build a culture of belonging. Today, there are 182 UCS schools in Washington and to date more than 75,000 Washington youth have pledged to #ChooseToInclude. With thousands of students participating annually, UCS is not just the future, it’s the now. Help us continue to grow this movement. Give $50 for 50 years of progress using the link in our bio. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
Health is a human right - for everyone. At Specia Health is a human right - for everyone. At Special Olympics Washington, we’re working to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have equal access to quality health care. In our blog post, see how partners like @VirginiaMasonFranciscanHealth and @BenaroyaResearch (BRI) are transforming care through inclusive training, accessible services, and groundbreaking research. Read more about the Alliance for Inclusive Health and how we’re advancing health equity together by using the link in our bio! #AllianceForInclusiveHealth #HealthEquity #SpecialOlympicsWA #BlogPost
We’re sending our best wishes to all the athlete We’re sending our best wishes to all the athletes competing this weekend in the East Regional Bocce and Golf competitions as well as everyone participating in the NW & SW Regional Golf competition! Your dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship make us all proud. Good luck out there! #SpecialOlympicsWA #GoodLuck #Bocce #Golf
The 2025 State Spring Games are just around the co The 2025 State Spring Games are just around the corner - and we need your help to make this year’s competitions the best yet! Volunteers are the heart of the Games - from helping with event set up/tear down to cheering on participants and assisting at award ceremonies, we could not do it without you! Volunteering is the best way to get involved with our organization and we have many opportunities available both on-and-off the field. We are also looking for medical volunteers to help with first aid on the sidelines and to provide Healthy Athletes screenings for our athletes. Register today if you want to help with medical, Athletics (track & field), Bocce, Golf, Soccer, Softball or Swimming! Click the link in our bio to see the available volunteer shifts. Spots fill up quickly, so don’t wait! If you have any questions or need help signing up, feel free to reach out to us at volunteer@sowa.org. Thank you for being a part of something special. We can’t wait to see you at the 2025 State Spring Games! #Volunteer #SpecialOlympicsWA #2025StateSpringGames
As part of our 50th Anniversary, we’re sharing 5 As part of our 50th Anniversary, we’re sharing 50 stories that built the legacy of Special Olympics Washington. In July 2018, Seattle was the proud host of the Special Olympics USA Games (@SpecialOlympicsUSAGames), and Special Olympics Washington was honored to serve as the home team. More than 4,000 athletes and coaches from across the country came together to compete, connect, and showcase the power of inclusion. And an estimated 100,000-plus fans welcomed them with open arms. With the help of thousands of volunteers, staff, and partners, Washington showed the world what it means to lead with heart. From a packed Opening Ceremony at Husky Stadium to Unified events across the region, the 2018 USA Games was more than a competition, it was a turning point for awareness, policy change, and community engagement. Moments like these leave lasting impact. Help us fuel the next 50 years with a $50 gift today. Use the link in bio! #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
National Police Week This week, we honor the cour National Police Week This week, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of law enforcement officers across our nation. At the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Washington, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who serve and protect — not only in uniform, but in service to inclusion, unity, and respect. As we remember those we've lost and recognize those who continue to serve, we reaffirm our dedication to building a more inclusive world through sport — where every athlete is celebrated and every effort matters. Thank you to our law enforcement partners who light the Flame of Hope and carry the torch of justice, compassion, and community. #SpecialOlympicsWashington #LETRforSO #NationalPoliceWeek2025
As we count down to the 2025 State Spring Games, w As we count down to the 2025 State Spring Games, we’re sharing 50 stories to celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington. Robert Vanwormer has been part of Special Olympics Washington for more than half his life - 20 years as an athlete and 6 years (and counting) as an assistant coach for the Grays Harbor Hawks. His journey began with cycling and track, and he still remembers the thrill of making it to State for the first time. But what stuck with him even more were the friendships - and the confidence that came with every competition. “Special Olympics helped me become a great leader,” Robert says. Now he pays it forward by mentoring other athletes as a coach. His story doesn’t stop at sports. Through Special Olympics, Robert met his wife - and was inducted into the Grays Harbor Hawks Hall of Fame. Stories like Robert’s show the lifelong impact of inclusion. Donate $50 today to help build the next 50 years of friendship, growth, and leadership using the link in our bio. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
🌟 Volunteer Opportunity with Special Olympics W 🌟 Volunteer Opportunity with Special Olympics Washington! 🌟 We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help support remaining 2025 spring season regional competitions. This is a great chance to make a difference, have fun, and cheer on some incredible athletes! 📅 Event Schedule & Locations: May 17: 🏅 East Region – Bocce | Othello, WA ✅Scorekeepers needed (no experience necessary) May 18: ⛳ East Region – Golf | Cheney, WA ✅Individual Skills needed (no experience necessary) ✅Scorekeepers (prior golf knowledge necessary) ⛳ NW & SW Regions – Golf | Tacoma, WA ✅Individual Skills needed (no experience necessary) ✅Course Marshals needed (prior golf knowledge necessary) Whether you're experienced or brand new to volunteering, there's a role for everyone! Part of something inspiring and register to volunteer by emailing: Volunteer@SOWA.org Thank you for supporting Special Olympics Washington. We can’t wait to see you there! #SpecialOlympicsWA #Volunteer #Bocce #Golf
Leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games, we’re Leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games, we’re sharing 50 stories to celebrate 50 years of impact! Athletes deserve to feel strong, confident, and cared for, not just during competition, but every day. That’s why Special Olympics Washington invests in health. Through our Healthy Athletes screenings - provided at no cost to athletes or their families - year-round wellness programs, and targeted outreach in under-resourced areas, we’re working to close the health equity gap for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). For many athletes, these are the first vision, dental, or hearing screenings they’ve ever had. It’s not just health care, it’s empowerment. Your support helps us care for the whole athlete. Donate $50 today to fuel inclusive health for the next 50 years. Use the link in bio! #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
Follow on Instagram

Contact Us

  • 2815 Second Avenue Suite 370 Seattle, WA 98121
  • P: (206) 362-4949

Get in Touch

Latest Posts

Help Us Celebrate 50 Years by Sharing Your Story

Sports Advancement Update

Breaking Ice and Breaking Barriers 2025

Tags

  • Fundraisers
  • Inclusive Health
  • LETR
  • Lewis County
  • SOWA News
  • State Games
  • Torch Run
  • training
  • Unified Champion Schools

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay informed

Get all the latest news, notes, sporting results and event information!

  1. About Us
  2. Press Room
  3. Partners
  4. Privacy Policy
  5. Sitemap
  6. Contact
  1. Phone (206) 362-4949
  2. Fax (206) 361-8158
  3. sowa@sowa.org

2815 Second Avenue
Suite 370
Seattle, WA 98121

Friend Special Olympics Washington on Facebook Connect with Special Olympics Washington on LinkedIn Check out Special Olympics Washington on YouTube Check out Special Olympics Washington on Instagram

© 2025 Special Olympics Washington
All Rights Reserved.