SOMO News

What an incredible day! We were thrilled to welcome more than 200 visitors to our campus for the Community Care Celebration—a day filled with energy, excitement around fitness screenings and health education, and the kind of community spirit that makes the Special Olympics family so special.

A centerpiece of the event was our Healthy Athletes Health Promotion, led by Dr. Ben Cook of Jefferson City Medical Group, along with Healthy Athletes Special Smiles, led by Dentist Phil Montoya. These initiatives were a tremendous success, providing athletes and their families with essential health assessments, early detection of potential concerns, and valuable education on the importance of preventative care and long-term well-being.

We were also proud to be joined by 32 local businesses and organizations, each offering a wide range of resources tailored to support individuals with intellectual disabilities. From health education and wellness guidance to assistance navigating the job application process, skill-building opportunities, and access to community services, these partners helped create an inclusive and empowering environment. Their presence gave athletes, families, and caregivers direct access to tools and information that promote independence, confidence, and a higher quality of life—demonstrating the powerful impact of community collaboration.

In addition, we were excited to host 10 day programs, bringing a total of 205 athletes and clients to campus. Participating groups included LEC, Skillset, CFHS, Midmo, Lake of the Ozarks, Blueridge, Braun Home, Day Solution 1, Day Solution 2, Day Solution 3, and UCP. Their enthusiastic participation brought incredible energy to the day and highlighted the strength and diversity of our community.

We’re looking forward to growing this tradition and welcoming even more organizations, families, and athletes to future events as we continue celebrating our amazing Special Olympics community.

Check out all the photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/somissouri/albums/72177720333456857

Thank you to the Community Foundation of the Lake for the grant to support participation of athletes from Miller, Morgan, and Camden counties.