SOMO News
SOMO Sum ups Feb. 24th – Mar. 2nd
North Area – The North Area hosted its 19th Annual Polar Plunge in Kirksville on Saturday, Feb. 28, where dozens of brave participants took a chilly dive to support a great cause. The weather cooperated with a beautiful day, and thanks to a strong turnout of volunteers and plungers, the event raised over $18,000 to benefit Special Olympics Missouri, helping fund year-round sports training and competition for athletes in the region.
Kansas City Metro Area – It was an action‑packed week in the KC Metro area! Here’s everything our athletes, partners, and supporters were up to:
📅 February 24: UMKC Unified Basketball
Our athletes hit the court at UMKC for an exciting day of Unified Basketball. Tons of great plays, teamwork, and energy from both UMKC students and SOMO athletes!
⚽ February 25: Soccer Clinic with Sporting Brookside
We had a fantastic turnout at our Soccer Clinic hosted by Sporting Brookside. Athletes sharpened their skills, learned new drills, and had a blast playing alongside supportive coaches and volunteers.
🤝 February 26: Donation from Knights of Columbus Council #6819
A huge THANK YOU to the Knights of Columbus Council #6819, who presented SOMO KC Metro with a check for $642.33 raised through their Tootsie Roll Drive fundraiser. We are so grateful for their continued support!
🎬 February 27: Movie & Game Night at the KC Office
Our Movie and Game Night was a huge hit! Athletes and families enjoyed good food, fun games, and lots of laughs. The KC Panthers even stopped by to hang out, making the evening extra special!
🏀 February 28: Lee’s Summit Invitational Basketball Tournament
The Lee’s Summit Invitational Basketball Tournament took over the KCPD South Patrol with an incredible 18 teams competing! It was a full day of competition, sportsmanship, and community spirit.
💃 February 28: KC Squad Wins Best in Show!
A massive congrats to the KC Squad, who brought home Best in Show at the Missouri State Dance Team Championship! Their hard work, talent, and dedication truly shined.
Central Area – Last week, we hosted our 2nd annual Mizzou Polar Plunge! The Inter Fraternity Council hosted us and brought in all Greek Life to fundraise for Special Olympics Missouri! They have raised over $9,800 this year, which is truly amazing! We love this event and can’t wait to be back in 2027!
St. Louis Metro Area – Fort Zumwalt West High School hosted a local basketball tournament this weekend, welcoming teams from across the area for a series of competitive matchups. The event brought together student-athletes, coaches, and families for a full slate of games that showcased teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit. Fans filled the gym to cheer on their teams, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the tournament. Events like this not only highlight athletic talent but also strengthen connections within the local community.
Meanwhile, the City of Maryland Heights held its annual Polar Plunge on Saturday. Brave participants took a chilly dip to support SOMO athletes, raising funds and awareness through the spirited winter tradition. Spectators bundled up to watch as individuals and teams dashed into the cold water, many in creative costumes, adding a festive touch to the event. The Polar Strut ended up raising $6,800, and the Plunge itself ended up raising &121,800 for Special Olympics Athletes! The Polar Plunge once again demonstrated the community’s generosity and willingness to come together in support of SOMO athletes!
Southwest Area – We had an amazing day Saturday at Republic Middle School, where we had Unified 3v3, Unified 5v5, Modified 5v5, and Regulation 5v5 basketball.
We want to give a special shout out to Bolivar Liberators Special Olympics, Webb City School District, Special Olympics Howell County, Springfield’s Special Olympics Team, and our hosts- RepSo Special Olympics – Republic, Missouri! We had an amazing group of volunteers and helpers from Republic Schools and the surrounding community and had some amazing officers to help with awards.
