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Special Olympics Washington Night At the Mariners
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By Rebecca Hummer - April 07, 2025
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ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Rebecca Hummer

Rebecca Hummer is the Senior Marketing Manager at Special Olympics Washington.

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specialolympicswashington

Special Olympics Washington BUILDS communities and LEADS in Wellness through Sports and Inclusion.
Be part of something unforgettable by volunteering Be part of something unforgettable by volunteering at Swimming and Athletics competitions at the 2025 State Spring Games! We're welcoming over 2,000 athletes to compete in one of the most inclusive sporting events of the year — and your support makes it all possible. 💪 Volunteer Roles Include: ✅ Event Support – Help with setup/tear down, check-in, info booths, and lunch distribution ✅ Competition Support – Timers, place judges, marshals, and more 📍 Saturday, June 21 | Federal Way | Swimming 📍 Sunday, June 22 | Tacoma | Athletics Find your shift using the link in bio. Register through the Volunteer Portal. Got questions? We’re here to help: volunteer@sowa.org Let’s make Sunday unforgettable for every athlete. #Volunteer #SpecialOlympicsWA #2025StateSpringGames #InclusionInAction
As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washi As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington, we’re sharing 50 stories leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games! Kelly Campbell made history as the first athlete to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Washington—and her impact has been nothing short of transformational. During her two-year term as Board Chair, Kelly brought her lived experience as an athlete into every decision. Her leadership was rooted in a clear mission: to create more pathways for athlete leadership and ensure athlete voices are central to every level of the organization. One of her proudest accomplishments was launching Special Olympics Washington’s board mentorship program, where athletes mentor board members—helping them better understand the athlete experience and build deeper connections to the community. Though her term as Chair has concluded, Kelly continues to serve on the Board of Directors and remains deeply committed to growing the mentorship program and expanding the Athlete Leadership Program, which supports athletes pursuing leadership roles in areas like Sports, Communications, and Governance. “I hope my time as Board Chair inspires others to dream more, learn more, and do more as athlete leaders,” she says. Celebrate leaders like Kelly by donating $50 to help build the next 50 years of leadership, vision, and inclusion. Visit the link in our bio to learn more. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
Every sprint, every leap, every step on the track Every sprint, every leap, every step on the track is a testament to determination. It’s not just about the finish line, it’s about the grind that gets you there. What’s your favorite event to participate in? #SpecialOlympicsWA #SpringSeason #2025SpringStateGames #Athletics
As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washi As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington, we’re sharing 50 stories that highlight the people who keep our mission moving—leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games. For over two decades, Rick Wade has been a driving force in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) movement across the South Sound. He began his journey in 2002, thinking it would be a great way to complement his marathon training. But soon, the torch runs became more than exercise—they became a purpose. Rick now coordinates torch runs in the region and works to bring more law enforcement agencies into the movement, helping expand the reach and impact of Special Olympics Washington. Volunteering has deeply shaped Rick’s perspective. “It’s made me more aware of people with disabilities and their incredible strength, desire, and capabilities,” he shares. Some of his most memorable moments include running the final leg into the Summer Games, where he had to slow down a lead athlete who was outrunning everyone—and seeing the smile of an athlete carrying the torch on a canoe across Hood Canal. “Volunteering with Special Olympics Washington has lit a fire in me,” Rick says. “And it’s going to be tough to give it up.” Support volunteers like Rick with a $50 gift to help fuel the next 50 years of inspiration, inclusion, and momentum. Learn more using the link in bio. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, we’ As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re sharing 50 stories that shaped Special Olympics Washington—leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games. Before stadiums, ceremonies, and statewide celebrations, Special Olympics Washington began in the most humble of places: a backyard track meet. In the early 1970s, a group of passionate parents, educators, and volunteers came together to host small, informal competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. One of the earliest events looked more like a neighborhood picnic than a state tournament—but the energy, joy, and determination were the same. From that grassroots beginning, the movement grew. Local programs started sprouting up across the state, eventually joining together to form what is now Special Olympics Washington—a thriving community of athletes, families, coaches, and supporters from every corner of the state. What started as a single afternoon of track races in a backyard has turned into decades of unified competition, personal breakthroughs, and lifelong friendships. Celebrate how far we’ve come by donating $50 today to help build the next 50 years of joy, inclusion, and momentum using the link in our bio. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
Don’t miss your chance to be part of Special Oly Don’t miss your chance to be part of Special Olympics Washington’s 50th Anniversary Night at @tmobilepark. Join us on Monday, June 16 as we celebrate 50 years of inclusion, community, and the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Washington—alongside the @mariners. For every ticket purchased through our special link, $5 will support Special Olympics Washington programs across the state. Plus, you’ll have the chance to receive a Mariners-themed Special Olympics Washington 50th Anniversary T-shirt, available while supplies last. Tickets range from $45–$62. The deadline to purchase is Thursday, June 13 at 5 p.m. Click the link in our bio to get your tickets! #SOWA50 #Mariners #TMobilePark #MarinersGame #SpecialOlympicsNight
As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washi As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington, we’re sharing 50 stories of athletes, coaches, and volunteers whose lives have been shaped by inclusion—leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games. For 30 years, Jason Mayer has been a dedicated coach with Special Olympics Washington. He currently coaches basketball, but over the years has also coached volleyball, softball, roller skating, swimming, and track and field. It all started when a high school baseball teammate invited him to a 7 AM Saturday swim practice. “From that first practice, I was hooked,” Jason says. Since then, Special Olympics has become a cornerstone of his life—shaping his values, his career, and his outlook on the world. “Coaching taught me patience, empathy, and the joy of celebrating every small victory,” he says. It even inspired him to become a teacher. One of his most cherished memories? Watching his basketball team qualify for state and win gold in Wenatchee—but more than that, it’s the laughter, the bonding, and the off-court moments that he treasures most. “Special Olympics has filled my life with purpose, joy, and lifelong friendships,” Jason says. “To any young person thinking about volunteering, I say jump in with both feet—it’ll transform your life.” Support coaches like Jason by donating $50 to help fuel the next 50 years of mentorship, inclusion, and unforgettable moments. Click the link in our bio to donate. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washi As we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington, we’re sharing 50 stories of athletes, coaches, and volunteers who bring our mission to life—leading up to the 2025 State Spring Games. Amy Owens has been part of Special Olympics Washington since 1992, representing the BKATs with pride and passion. She first joined to build confidence and grow into the best version of herself. Over the years, Special Olympics helped her believe in her abilities—not just as an athlete, but as a person. A big part of Amy’s journey is rooted in family. Her dad was a beloved coach in the BKATs program and also her Unified golf partner. When he passed away after a battle with multiple cancers, Amy carried forward his spirit and love for the game. “I love my dad so much,” she says. “He was an excellent coach—and Coach Barb Pool always reminds me how much he meant to the team.” Since then, Amy has continued to grow, deepening her bond with her mom and staying active in the program that’s helped shape her path. “Special Olympics helped me believe in myself,” she says. Celebrate athletes like Amy with a $50 gift to help build the next 50 years of inclusion, connection, and community. Donate here using the link in bio. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
Be part of something unforgettable by volunteering Be part of something unforgettable by volunteering at one of the biggest, most inclusive sports events of the year! 🙌 The 2025 State Spring Games offers competitions in athletics, bocce, golf, soccer, softball, and swimming to over 2,000+ athletes and we need your help to make it a success. Join us on and off the field in a number of ways. ✅Event support: set up/tear down, check-in, info booth and lunch distribution. ✅Competition support: referees, timers, place judges, etc. ✅Medical: First aid support and health screenings at Healthy Athletes Check out volunteer shifts here using the link in our bio. Register in the Volunteer Portal! Questions? Email: volunteer@sowa.org #Volunteer #SpecialOlympicsWA #2025StateSpringGames
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