SOMO News
Help us put on our biggest sporting event of the year!
With more than 200 sporting events across the state each year, one thing Special Olympics Missouri knows well is that we would not exist without volunteers. More than 30,000 individuals give their time, expertise, manpower, and encouragement to the SOMO athletes each year. And right now we are on the cusp of our signature event, the event that makes people ask “When are the Special Olympics this year?” when in reality, “the” Special Olympics is a year-round program offering training and competition. You know, I’m talking about the State Summer Games May 29 – June 1 in Columbia.
This year is particularly special for us, because we have made some major changes to our sports competition schedule and are adding some new sports to the State Summer Games and welcoming more athletes than ever before to this special event. Where better to host this bigger and better State Summer Games than Mizzou?! The University of Missouri, Columbia College, and Town & Country Lanes will be hosting our competitions, and we’re thrilled to offer our athletes world-class facilities to showcase their abilities.
There are always challenges when it comes to change, and the one YOU can help us with is our volunteer needs. In the past, we had around 1,200 volunteer positions to fill, but with the new competitions, extra days of activities and additional athletes, we’re looking to fill more than 1,500 volunteer positions. Here are some examples of the jobs we have available; you can find the complete list here.
- Track & Field running events volunteer: help as a timer, finish line holder, picker (you are responsible for finding the person who crossed the finish line 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, etc).
- Basketball scorekeeper/timekeeper: help keep the scorebook, scoreboard, or managing the time clock.
- Opening Ceremonies setup crew: help set up equipment, decorations, chairs, and more to put on a rockin’ Opening Ceremony!
All of our jobs are open to the general public. We love to have corporate groups, student groups, families, or groups of friends come, but you can volunteer all on your own as well. There are dozens of types of positions, and no sports experience is necessary – we offer training on site. In exchange for your help, you will walk away with a volunteer T-shirt (sizes subject to availability), and an experience you’ll be talking about for weeks. Come witness the courage, strength, and talent of thousands of Special Olympics athletes. Sign up today.
Volunteers, fans and teams staying off campus can park in the CG1 lot or the RP10 lot and use our free shuttle bus service! Cars and vans for teams staying on campus may park in their residence hall lot. Please park on the west side of the lot at bowling.
Here are a few other resources you might find helpful:
Special thanks to our sponsors this year: Shop ‘n Save, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Knights of Columbus, Southwest Dairy Farmers, Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Zimmer Radio Group, Columbia Missourian, Levy Restaurant, Mid-America Wireless, Town & Country Lanes and Break Time.