SOMO News

Special Olympics Missouri supporters came together in a big way this year for the 2025 Drive It Home Raffle — and we are thrilled to share the results!

On Friday, excitement reached its peak as raffle finalists tried their keys in hopes of unlocking the grand prize: a brand new 2025 Chevy Equinox ACTIV. After an unforgettable finish, Alex Vu found the matching key and drove away as our 2025 Drive It Home Raffle winner. Congratulations, Alex!

We also want to extend a huge thank you to the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, who generously donated the vehicle used for this year’s raffle. Their support helps make Drive It Home possible and directly impacts athletes across the state.

This year’s raffle brought finalists from across the state — each representing their area and the community members who helped make Drive It Home possible:

• David Williams is the KC Metro area finalist and purchased his ticket from Officer Amanda Geno, Lee’s Summit Police Department.
• Brittany Roady is the Central Area finalist and purchased her ticket from Olivia Imhoff, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F.
• Alex Vu is the Southwest Area finalist and purchased his ticket from the Springfield Police Department.
• Maggie Carrino is the St. Louis Metro area finalist and purchased her ticket from the Wentzville Police Department.
• Laurie Starkey is the Southeast Area finalist and purchased her ticket from the Knights of Columbus Council 15294.
• Margarita Porter is the North Area finalist and purchased her ticket from SOMO athlete Jaxson Kennedy.

We are so grateful to every finalist for being part of this year’s celebration — and to every officer, volunteer, council, and athlete who helped sell tickets and spread the word.

And while Alex went home with the grand prize vehicle, we were excited to celebrate all of our finalists. Each finalist who did not receive the car was awarded $500 in cash, making the day a win for everyone who made it to the finish line.

A Big Win for SOMO Athletes

While one lucky winner drove away in a new vehicle, the biggest win belongs to the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who purchased a ticket, this year’s Drive It Home Raffle raised more than $103,000 to support year-round sports training, competition, health programs, and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state.

Events like Drive It Home are about more than a prize — they’re about showing up for our athletes and making sure they have every opportunity to train, compete, and shine. Every ticket purchased directly fuels that mission.

To everyone who participated, shared the raffle, and cheered on our finalists: thank you. Your support helps create a stronger, more inclusive Missouri where athletes are celebrated for their abilities and welcomed as leaders in their communities.

From all of us at Special Olympics Missouri — thank you for helping #SupportSOMO.