Special Olympics would not exist today — and could not have been created — without the time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm of its diverse volunteers.

Are you looking for a way to give back and get a boost at the same time? Do you need to be inspired?

Getting involved with Special Olympics is about transforming lives, including your own. It’s about making your community and neighborhood a more welcoming and accepting place. Mostly, it’s about creating lifelong friendships and a new way of thinking about others – rewards of immeasurable value.

As a Special Olympics volunteer, you’ll take pride in knowing you’re providing athletes with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to experience the excitement, joy and personal fulfillment associated with sport training and competition. You’ll also become an important part of a global movement.

From students to professors, factory workers to corporate executives, celebrities to the not-so-famous, family members to health-care professionals, volunteers of all backgrounds are passionate and untiring in their support of Special Olympics. From the local coach who works with athletes every day, to a Provincial Games Organizer, dedicated volunteers make Special Olympics happen. There is always something to do, with training, competitions and other events happening 365 days a year.

Contribute your unique skills to make our Programs run smoothly. Local volunteers register athletes, plan events, arrange transportation, recruit new volunteers and sponsors, take pictures, publicize activities, answer phones and e-mail, and much more. Every volunteer role is vital to running a successful Special Olympics competition and making the athlete’s dream a reality.

Volunteering with Special Olympics creates change that carries forth from our Programs and into the world. Whether you’re an individual or a member of a school, church, work, civic or other group; whether you can volunteer for just a few hours on a single day as a scorekeeper, or several hours a week, year-round, as a special events coordinator; there are volunteer opportunities for you.

Are you ready to make a difference? Are you ready to discover your own courage, faith, confidence and pride? Are you ready to have fun? Then get in touch with the nearest Special Olympics office today!

For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Nelson White, SONL staff responsible for volunteers at (709) 738-1923.