Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Winter season is just around the corner, and our athletes across the state will soon be competing in basketball and cheer. They are already hard at work preparing for more than 20 qualifying competitions leading up to the State Winter Games in Wenatchee, February 27–March 1. Meanwhile, our Sports and Development team members are finalizing volunteer needs for those competitions, as well as for Polar Plunge fundraisers across the state.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
As the Special Olympics Washington Sports Team finalizes volunteer needs for each event, registration links will be posted below. Please bookmark this page, as additional links will be added as they become available. In the meantime, feel free to mark your calendars and save the dates for any events not yet posted. If you’re not already receiving our weekly volunteer emails and would like to be added to our mailing list, please click here: Volunteer Email Distribution List

PLEASE NOTE: You must log in to the volunteer portal at https://portals.specialolympics.org before registering for a specific event. You may view volunteer roles and shift details without logging in, but you must be signed in to complete your registration. If you’re new to the portal or need assistance, please review the helpful hints at the bottom of this page.

REGISTRATION is OPEN – Winter Season 2026

Pre-registration deadline EXTENDED for this weekend’s events: 8am, THURSDAY, February 5

• Saturday, February 7                     NW / King Co. Basketball Regional (AUBURN)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE
    • • (Still looking for a Merchandise Lead, 18+, background check required)
• Saturday, February 7                     SW / Peninsula Basketball Regional (BREMERTON)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE
    • • (3 venues, 25+ volunteers still needed)
• Saturday, February 7                     Unified Basketball Districts 1 & 2 (KENT)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 
    • • (Kentridge HS, only 3 spots left)
• Saturday, February 7                     Unified Basketball District 3 (FIFE)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE
    • • (3 venues, 15+ volunteers still needed)
• Saturday, February 7                     Unified Basketball District 4 (VANCOUVER)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE
    • • (Pre-registration is CLOSED – all shifts have been filled, thank you!)
• Saturday, February 7                     Polar Plunge (TRI-CITIES)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 

Pre-registration deadline for this weekend’s events: 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 10 

• Friday, February 13                      SUPER Polar Plunge (SEATTLE)
  • No volunteer shifts required but come to Magnuson Park Beach to cheer on our Plungers – plunging every hour, on the hour for 24 hours!
• Saturday, February 14                Polar Plunge (SEATTLE)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 
    • (Pre-registration is CLOSED – all shifts have been filled, thank you!)
    • New location: Magnuson Park Beach 

Pre-registration deadline for this weekend’s events: 8 a.m., Wednesday, February 18 

• Saturday, February 21              Polar Plunge (WENATCHEE)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 
    • Location: Walla Walla Point Park 

• Sunday, February 22                 Polar Plunge (NORTH SOUND / LAKE STEVENS)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 
    • Location: North Cove Park 

Pre-registration deadline for State Winter Games: 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 24 

• February 27 – March 1                  2026 State Winter Games (WENATCHEE)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE
    • Friday, Feb. 27                  Opening Ceremonies
    • Saturday, Feb. 28            Basketball
    • Saturday, Feb. 28            Cheer (Set-up only)
    • Saturday, Feb. 28            Healthy Athletes
    • Saturday, Feb. 28            Olympic Town & Victory Dance
    • Sunday, March 1             Basketball
    • Sunday, March 1             Cheer (tear down only)
    • Miscellaneous shifts available: Photographers, Office Prep and more!

Pre-registration deadline for this weekend’s event: 8 a.m., Wednesday, March 4 

• Saturday, March 7                        Polar Plunge (TACOMA)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 
    • Location: Chambers Bay Beach 

Pre-registration deadline for this weekend’s event: 8 a.m., Wednesday, March 11 

• Saturday, March 14                     Polar Plunge (ANACORTES)
  • VIEW SCHEDULE HERE 
    • Location: Seafarers Memorial Park  

Please note that the Winter sports of Alpine and Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating and Speed Skating are now recreational sports are being offered at the local level but not at the regional or state level.  If there are any volunteer needs, they will not be coordinated through Special Olympics Washington’s Volunteer Team but by the local organizing committee.  Any details about volunteers needs for these local competitions will be included in the weekly emails.

First Aid / Medical Volunteers Needed!

Are you a current health care provider or certified in First Aid / CPR / AED?  Or do you know someone who is?  Volunteers with at least these qualifications are needed to provide support at our upcoming regional competitions across Washington. While basketball competitions may be listed as one date, they are very often held at multiple venues and gyms in the surrounding area, creating the need for several medical personnel for one event.

Persons wishing to be a First Aid/Medical Volunteer, you will need to complete the credentialing process. . CLICK HERE to Register to be a Medical Volunteer they will work with you to schedule you for an event and provide training as needed.  A small stipend may be available should you be available to travel to cover an event outside of your general area of residence.

*If you wish to be a First Aid/Medical Volunteer at State Winter Games, please CLICK HERE to register your credentials and be scheduled.

*If you wish to be a Massage Volunteer at State Winter Games, please CLICK HERE to register.  Please indicate that you wish to be a Massage Volunteer.  After your credentials have been verified, you will be forwarded to the Volunteer Manager for scheduling.

**If you are looking to volunteer with HEALTHY ATHLETES at State Winter Games, please go to the State Winter Games link in the general schedule in the section above.

SAVE THE DATES – Spring Competitions! 

Spring Season is just around the corner.  While volunteer registration isn’t open yet, please feel free to mark your calendars and plan on volunteering, either as an individual, family or larger school/service/corporate group.  Watch for announcements of when registration will open.

• NW Region – Swimming
  • April 18 | Federal Way
• SW Region – Swimming
  • April 19 | Federal Way
• NW Region – Athletics (track & field)
  • April 25 | Marysville
• East Region – Soccer
  • April 25 | To be announced
• SW Region – Athletics (track & field)
  • April 26 | Tacoma
• SW Region – Soccer
  • April 26 | Tacoma
• NW Region – Soccer
  • May 2 | Tukwila
• East Region – Athletics (track & field)
  • May 2 | Cheney
• East Region – Swimming
  • May 9 | Cheney
• TBD – Unified Soccer, districts 1 & 2, 3 and 4
• State Spring Games
  • May 29 – 31 | Tacoma and Federal Way

Please note that Bocce, Golf and Softball events will be held during the Summer Season.

First time volunteering? Here is how to get started: 

Step 1: Create a profile in the SO Portal:  https://portals.specialolympics.org   

• Note: Your email activation code will be sent from “Microsoft on behalf of Special Olympics B2C Production.” Please be sure to check your spam folder as well. 

Step 2: Register for your desired event/role/shift by using the registration link (listed above) – find more resources below. 

Contact Us  

Do you work for a company that would like to learn about group volunteer opportunities? Does your school, sports team, community organization or faith community? Want to be added to the weekly volunteer mailing list? Please contact the Volunteer Team at volunteer@sowa.org. Thank you for your interest in supporting our athletes! 

Resources 

• FAQs | Create an Account | Register as an Individual | Register a Group | Group FAQs  

• Portal Resources page 

• Are you a volunteer between the ages of 11-13? Please have a parent or guardian apply for the Event Volunteer Group Lead role prior to registering for a shift.  Please refer to Register a Group for step-by-step instructions. 

• Interested in other volunteer roles?  

• Review the Become a Volunteer Leader page and apply for other volunteer roles under Do More with Special Olympics (find more specifics of when and where under Sign Up for An Event) 

• Currently recruiting for Winter Season (Nov 2025 – March 2026): https://portals.specialolympics.org/event-details/?id=e691f9fb-de72-f011-bec3-000d3a30b017 

• Questions or need support? Email us at volunteer@sowa.org or submit a request: bit.ly/SOWA-PortalSupport. 

• Have other skills and talents you’d like to share? Let us know about your interests, skills, and talents under My Checklist > Add Your Skills so program staff can help match you  
• Still having trouble?  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@sowa.org and let us know how we can help!