2024 Special Olympics Arkansas Most Impactful Moments
Each year we take a moment to recognize the AMAZING things that are happening within our program. From fundraising to sports, volunteers to partnerships, and schools to athlete leaders; Special Olympics Arkansas is building new and improved opportunities for athletes around the state!
10. We amplified voices of our movement through the new SOAR blog. We also expanded our reach through social media such as implementing more videos of our athletes in action! Check out the SOAR Blog and follow us on social media at @SOARkansas on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
9. Launched the first Area Athlete Input Council. This pilot started in Area 3 and it was a huge success with 10 full time members. Athletes in this leadership group hosted 3 new events for athletes to participate in sport in Area 3 and met monthly to create, encourage and grow as leaders. We would love to grow this opportunity in other areas, if you are interested please contact [email protected].
8. Exciting Advancements in Fundraising for 2024: Duck Pluck makes its way back raising more than $7,000, Fire Truck Pull grows by two locations: Mena and Fort Smith, Charity Olive Hour sees all time high $81,000, and a record number of 19 Tip a Cop/Cops on Donut Shops events statewide.
7. Created an impact on inclusion award for Unified Champion Schools to celebrate innovation and inclusion some of the awards first winners were: Central High School and Heber Springs Middle School.
6. Partnerships stepped up for our athletes in 2024! Partners are a major part of how we can offer year-round programming to athletes and coaches statewide. In 2024, we saw an increase in volunteerism and dollars thanks to some key partners.
10. We amplified voices of our movement through the new SOAR blog. We also expanded our reach through social media such as implementing more videos of our athletes in action! Check out the SOAR Blog and follow us on social media at @SOARkansas on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
9. Launched the first Area Athlete Input Council. This pilot started in Area 3 and it was a huge success with 10 full time members. Athletes in this leadership group hosted 3 new events for athletes to participate in sport in Area 3 and met monthly to create, encourage and grow as leaders. We would love to grow this opportunity in other areas, if you are interested please contact [email protected].
8. Exciting Advancements in Fundraising for 2024: Duck Pluck makes its way back raising more than $7,000, Fire Truck Pull grows by two locations: Mena and Fort Smith, Charity Olive Hour sees all time high $81,000, and a record number of 19 Tip a Cop/Cops on Donut Shops events statewide.
7. Created an impact on inclusion award for Unified Champion Schools to celebrate innovation and inclusion some of the awards first winners were: Central High School and Heber Springs Middle School.
6. Partnerships stepped up for our athletes in 2024! Partners are a major part of how we can offer year-round programming to athletes and coaches statewide. In 2024, we saw an increase in volunteerism and dollars thanks to some key partners.
#10 New SOAR Blog
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#9 First Area Athlete Input Council
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#8 Advancements in Fundraising: Duck Pluck
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#7 Impact on Inclusion Award
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#6 Partnerships
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5. Two Special Olympics Arkansas Athlete leaders named to the Board of Directors. Sharon Johnson from Area 12 was nominated to the Executive Committee as Secretary and Amy Price of Area 4 is serving her first year on the board. Together Sharon and Amy provide feedback directly to the Board of Directors about the impact of Special Olympics Arkansas programming and offer ideas on how we can continue the mission.
4. Sports Camps brings together over 500 athletes, coaches, Unified partners, and volunteers getting the events back to pre-covid numbers! The goal of Sports Camp is to increase quality training opportunities for athletes and coaches. Southern Arkansas University was a new host to our second camp. Campers also enjoyed going back to Hendrix college for the first camp of the summer.
3. In 2024, we held the first Team Camp for Softball. 5 teams and a few independent athletes from different areas throughout the state gathered to practice and scrimmage with each other. Team Camps are designed to offer more opportunities for teams to develop skills and train for competition. Clinton High School was among the teams that attended, and they stated the event made both athletes and coaches feel more confident in the sport. They are looking forward to adding it to their list of competitions!
2. New Healthy Young Athletes offered at 2024 Summer Games. Healthy Young Athletes is a holistic pediatric screening offered to children 2 – 7 years old, with and without Intellectual Disabilities, as an initial offering by Healthy Athletes. The screening is intended to complement a child’s primary care and provides an additional review of the child’s health and development. It also serves as an educational experience to increase health and development knowledge amongst parents and caregivers. This is achieved by identifying medical, developmental, and behavioral concerns that parents and caregivers may have about their child and directing them to the appropriate resources.
1. We are building! New SOAR headquarters begins construction.
That's a wrap on 2024! We are thrilled for what is to come in 2025!
4. Sports Camps brings together over 500 athletes, coaches, Unified partners, and volunteers getting the events back to pre-covid numbers! The goal of Sports Camp is to increase quality training opportunities for athletes and coaches. Southern Arkansas University was a new host to our second camp. Campers also enjoyed going back to Hendrix college for the first camp of the summer.
3. In 2024, we held the first Team Camp for Softball. 5 teams and a few independent athletes from different areas throughout the state gathered to practice and scrimmage with each other. Team Camps are designed to offer more opportunities for teams to develop skills and train for competition. Clinton High School was among the teams that attended, and they stated the event made both athletes and coaches feel more confident in the sport. They are looking forward to adding it to their list of competitions!
2. New Healthy Young Athletes offered at 2024 Summer Games. Healthy Young Athletes is a holistic pediatric screening offered to children 2 – 7 years old, with and without Intellectual Disabilities, as an initial offering by Healthy Athletes. The screening is intended to complement a child’s primary care and provides an additional review of the child’s health and development. It also serves as an educational experience to increase health and development knowledge amongst parents and caregivers. This is achieved by identifying medical, developmental, and behavioral concerns that parents and caregivers may have about their child and directing them to the appropriate resources.
1. We are building! New SOAR headquarters begins construction.
That's a wrap on 2024! We are thrilled for what is to come in 2025!
#5 Athletes: Sharon and Amy named to Board of Directors
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#4 Sports Camp
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#3 First Team Camp
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#2 Healthy Young Athletes
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#1 We're building!
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Published December 2024
