Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Volunteers are the foundation of Special Olympics Missouri. We depend on thousands of volunteers to help coach, conduct events and serve on organizational and fundraising committees. The efforts of a volunteer provide opportunities to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, who, if given the chance, can participate and excel in sports and life.

If you have volunteer questions, please reach out to Greg Wingrath.

Young athlete holding a basketball gives coach a high-five
Young athlete sitting in a dental chair gets teeth checked by volunteer dentist
Volunteer points to side as athlete runs the bases
Young athlete in wheelchair holds blue bucket and tosses a yellow beanbag towards a yellow hula hoop while volunteer sits and watches
Four referees gather on the field
Athlete and volunteers smile as they sit on square scooter boards
Volunteers work together to cleanup the bocce courts
Side profile of referee with a whistle in their mouth
Group of young athletes, staff, and volunteers hold edges of a parachute and bounce colorful balls up and down in the middle
Black and white photo of athlete giving smiling coach a high-five
Excited young athlete jumps as they give the volunteer a high-five
Two smiling athletes with gold medals around their necks pose with two smiling police officers
Volunteers sit on bleachers with encouraging posters watching a softball game
Young athlete faces staff member and holds up handful of colorful balls
Young athlete stands on a green base while SOMO staff member looks on
Two athletes meet at the tennis net to high-five tennis rackets while volunteers watches
Young athletes and volunteers hold hands while walking on the SOMO walking trail

What our volunteers have to say

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I love to see the smile on my athletes faces after they have had a hard day of practice or won a match.

Emily Weber

Mike Lowry

Through sports we give the individual opportunity to belong to a wider community and experience success through personal accomplishment. My advice is to learn how to see things through the outlook of the athletes and to remember our athletes will teach you about life.

Mike Lowry

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Don’t be afraid, these athletes are like anyone and feel, laugh and compete like all of us. They truly matter and have purpose.

Brent Thompson

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If you are thinking about volunteering, my advice is simply to help in any way you can. You are appreciated beyond words. And I cannot stress enough that I always get more out of volunteering than I put in!

Jay Collins

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My favorite part of being a part of this organization is the relationships I have formed. I have met many of my closest friends through Special Olympics. I met my husband through Special Olympics. I also love watching the athletes not only meet my expectations for them but exceed them. And watching how the lessons they learn through sports spread into their daily lives.

Kathy Lowry

This volunteer opportunity will help with local fundraising events such as Polar Plunge, Drive It Home Raffle or other local events.  SOMO will put you in touch with the area development staff to assist with them with upcoming events. Sign up!