SOMO News

Stay informed and inspired with this month’s updates in the March SOMO Scoop Newsletter!

Statewide

Polar Plunge

This year’s Polar Plunges have been a huge success across the state! Click here to find the recap articles on this years completed plunges. Want to get involved? Visit plungemo.org to register for an upcoming plunge or contribute to a fundraising page.

2025 State Indoor Games

Join us in St. Charles, Mo., for the 2025 State Indoor Games, featuring Bowling and Basketball! Athletes qualify through area or regional competitions. The games will be March 28-29 this year. Click here to read more.

Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving

Throughout March, customers can support SOMO by making a donation at participating Jersey Mike’s locations. The Month of Giving campaign wraps up with Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” on Wednesday, March 26, when local restaurants will donate 100 percent of the day’s sales—not just profits—to SOMO.

Participating Locations:

Columbia	1101 Grindstone Pkwy	65201
Columbia	2001 W Worley St	65203
Jefferson City	2111 Missouri Blvd	65109
Rolla	1051 N Bishop Ave	65401

Spread The Word Inclusion Day

Spread the Word Inclusion Day is an annual event dedicated to promoting inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Schools and communities can celebrate with activities like Disability Awareness Week, Respect Week, or Kindness Week. Students can sign an inclusion pledge, create their own, or commit to actions that promote inclusion. Learn more and take the pledge at spreadtheword.global/pledge.

2026 USA Games

It’s never too early to talk about the 2026 USA Games! Check out our informational flyer below for the latest details on how to become a member of Team MO Magic! Questions? Reach out to Susan Shaffer!

Central Area

Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge Recap
A recap article is coming soon to highlight the Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge and the incredible support shown by our plungers! Click here to view the pictures from this amazing day!

Cops on a Coop at Chick-fil-A: March 25

On March 25, 2025, support LETR as they fundraise for Special Olympics at Cops on a Coop at Chick-fil-A in Jefferson City! More details coming soon.

Easter Bunny Fundraiser: April 5

Join us on April 5, 2025, at Our Little Store & Osage Chic Boutique for an Easter celebration, featuring the Easter Bunny and fun activities!

Columbia Polar Plunge

Sign up for the 2025 Columbia Polar Plunge and show your bravery by walking, running, or crawling into the frigid winter waters to support Special Olympics Missouri athletes! In 2024, 193 plungers helped raise over $61,500—let’s make 2025 even bigger! This unique event features a fun atmosphere with music, hilarious costumes, and lasting memories for everyone involved. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference and take the plunge!

Kansas City Metro Area

KC Squad
The KC Squad is a cheer and dance team for all ages! Sign up here to join the fun!

Kansas City Pickleball Series

Join us for a free Skill Development Pickleball Series at Char Bar Parkville! Sessions are limited to 24 athletes each and run on the following dates: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, and 3/9. Athletes must have active SOMO physicals to participate.

Click HERE to Register!  Questions?  Please contact Meg Ward.

KC Unified Basketball Intramural with UMKC

Our 5-week Unified Basketball Intramural League with UMKC kicks off on February 4 at Swinney Recreation Center in Kansas City. Games run from 5:45–7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays: February 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 4. 15 spots available! All athletes must be 18 years or older with an active physical.  Register HERE!

Questions?  Please contact Meg Ward: ward@somo.org

KC Unified Bocce Intramural with UMKC

Our 5-week Unified Bocce Intramural League kicks off on March 18, 2025, at UMKC Swinney Recreation Center. The program runs Tuesday evenings, skipping March 25 for spring break. Athletes 14+ can register here.

KC Floor Hockey Clinic with KC Mavericks: March 12

On March 12, 2025, join us for a Floor Hockey Clinic hosted by the KC Mavericks! Space is limited to 25 participants, so register here today!

NAIA Basketball Skills Clinic: March 23

On March 23, 2025, join us for a FREE NAIA Basketball Skills Clinic, featuring top teams from the 2025 Men’s NAIA Basketball Championship Tournament. Jimmy John’s sandwiches will be provided. Click here to register.

North Area

1st Annual Daviess County Shamrock Run: March 8
Get ready to lace up your running shoes and go green on March 8, 2025, for the 1st Annual Daviess County Shamrock Run! This 5K Fun Run/Walk, hosted by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with community, fitness, and fun. Register and get more information online here.

KC/North Area Coaches Training: March 8

Join us on March 8, 2025, at North Kansas City High School for the KC/North Area Coaches Training, covering Track & Field, Powerlifting, and Volleyball. Morning and afternoon sessions are available, and lunch will be provided by SOMO. Register here.

St. Joseph Shamrock Run: March 15

On March 15, 2025, celebrate community and giving at the St. Joseph Shamrock Run! The Shamrock 5K Fun Run will support Special Olympics Missouri North Area, with the route starting at Grand Ave & 11th Street and ending at Norty’s Bar & Grill. Click here for more details.

RESCHEDULED 2025 Polar Plunge St. Joseph: March 22

Due to weather conditions, the 2025 St. Joseph Polar Plunge has been rescheduled to March 22, 2025. The event will still take place at St. Joseph Aquatic Park, with registration at 11:00 AM and the plunge at 1:00 PM. Visit www.PlungeMO.org for more details.

Southeast Area

2025 Polar Plunge Cape Girardeau Recap
The 19th Annual Cape Girardeau Polar Plunge raised over $64,000 for our SOMO athletes! e. 165 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into the lake at Cape County Park North.

Online fundraising is still ongoing. Organizers of the Plunge still hope to raise an additional $2,000 to reach the goal of $66,000. Donations can be made at https://support.somo.org/event/2025-polar-plunge-cape-girardeau/e623337.

Southeast Missouri State University Polar Plunge: March 22

On March 22, 2025, the Southeast Missouri State University Greeks will be hosting an additional Polar Plunge supporting Special Olympics Missouri!

Southwest Area

2025 Polar Plunge Springfield Recap

Stay tuned for a recap of the Springfield Polar Plunge! Recap article and video coming soon. Photos will be uploaded here.

St. Louis Metro Area

Marquette High School Celebrates National Banner Recognition as a Unified Champion School

Marquette High School recently celebrated its official recognition as a National Banner Unified Champion School, a prestigious honor awarded by Special Olympics. This designation is given to schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to inclusion through Unified sports, student leadership, and whole-school engagement. Click here to read more!

2025 Polar Plunge Lake St. Louis Recap

The 22nd Annual Lake St. Louis Polar Plunge raised $115,974! A total of 425 brave men and women plunged in support of SOMO! Online fundraising is still ongoing. Organizers of the Plunge are excited they surpassed the goal of $100,000 thanks to the incredible support of the community. Donations can be made at 2025 Polar Plunge – Lake St. Louis – Campaign

2025 Polar Plunge and Strut Maryland Heights Recap

The 19th Annual Maryland Heights Polar Plunge raised nearly $100,000 for our SOMO athletes! A total 389 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into Creve Coeur Lake. We also had 27 runners come out for our Polar Bear Strut 5k, which raised an additional $2,770. Online fundraising is still ongoing. Donations can be made on our online fundraising page!

Stay in the know with SOMO by visiting our Area Pages below!