Special Olympics would not exist without the time, energy, dedication and commitment of its more than 750,000 Special Olympics volunteers. Volunteers enable Special Olympics to offer Sports training and competition programs to more than 3 million individual with intellectual disabilities worldwide. Their dedication provides mainstreaming experiences for these athletes and opportunities for inclusion and socializing.
Volunteers include students, senior citizens, business people, family members of athletes, amateur and professional athletes and coaches, teachers and many anthers. They fill a wide variety of roles for Special Olympics Programs at all levels—from coach to fundraiser, from timer to Games coordinator. In addition, Special Olympics athletes themselves make excellent volunteers.
Opportunities for Special Olympics Volunteers
In Sports Training
- Serve as certified Special Olympics coaches
- Help run Special Olympics sports camps
- Organize, coach or Play on Special Olympics Unified Sports teams
- Obtain Equipment for Special Olympics athletes
- Establish sports clinics or Special Olympics training schools
- Train individuals with more severe handicaps through the Motor Activities Training Program
- Assist Special Olympics athletes in becoming certified coaches
In Competitions
- Serve as a driver or food service worker at competitions or assist with registration, computer input or data processing
- Serve as Games Director, committee member, certified official or team manager at Special Olympics competitions
- Organize events, such as Special Olympic Town, for athletes
- Conduct clinics or demonstrations in a new sport
- Assist Special Olympics athletes in becoming certified officials
In Schools
- Include Special Olympics sports training programs in an existing adapted physical education curriculum
- Utilize the Special Olympics Sports Skills Guides in an after-school sports program
- Start Special Olympics Unified Sports teams
- Open school facilities to Special Olympics events
- Provide support at Special Olympics events
- Organize members if school sports teams to become certified Special Olympics coacher or officials
- Conduct Special Olympics sports competitions or demonstrations during regular sports events
- Award school letters to Special Olympics athletes
In Fundraising
- Support the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics through corporate sponsorship or Cops&Lobsters
- Make financial or in-kind donations as individuals or through a business
- Conduct fundraising campaigns in schools or through a civic group, church or other organization
- Name Special Olympics as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, will or employee payroll deduction
- Hire Special Olympics athletes or provide volunteer opportunities
As Professionals
- Establish a Special Olympics Program in employing individuals with intellectual disabilities
- Provide medical support including free physicals and X-rays, or provide pro-bono legal or accounting services
- Contribute specific skills to help Special Olympics
- Sponsor or adopt Special Olympics teams
- Make donations of goods, services or vital office supplies to local Special Olympics programs
In Public Awareness
- Write articles about Special Olympics athletes, families and coaches, or join speakers’ bureaus
- Volunteer copywriting, photography or public relations skills to local, States or National Special Olympics Programs
- Take part in telephone campaigns to inform people about Special Olympics
- Help staff the media center or serve as a press escort at a Special Olympics event
- Train Special Olympics athletes to give presentations through the Special Olympics Sargent Shriver Global Messenger program
In Administration
- Serve on a Special Olympics Program Board of Directors or area committee
- Help special education teachers or Special Olympics coaches prepare registration and medical forms
- Volunteer typing, filing or computer skills in Special Olympics Program offices
- Distribute materials for a Special Olympics event
- Help Special Olympics with mass-mailing projects
In Civic Groups
- Provide support for Special Olympics Programs
- Adopt local Special Olympics teams
- Organize Special Olympics Unified Sports teams by combining group members with Special Olympics athletes
- Encourage group members to volunteer their professional services to Special Olympics Programs
- Encourage Special Olympics athletes to become members of the civic group
As Friends of Special Olympics Athletes
- Serve as greeters, escorts and cheerleaders at Special Olympics Games
- Take part in recreational or social outings such as hikes or picnics with Special Olympics athletes
- Transport athletes to practice and competitions
Work as a volunteer at a group home or institution
