Category: Western
Nick Zmuda, of Lackawanna, New York, has been competing in Special Olympics for most of his life. He began training in figure skating at 13 and has since participated in a wide range of sports, including softball, basketball, floor hockey, track & field and bowling. Over the years, his dedication to sport and inclusion has taken him around the world, including traveling to Anchorage, Alaska, to compete at the Special Olympics 2001 World Games.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Nick has taken on leadership roles within Special Olympics. As a trained Global Messenger, he has spoken at events to raise awareness about inclusion and the power of athletics. In 2012, he made history as the first athlete to receive the Law Enforcement Torch Run International Executive Council Athlete Award, chosen from among all Special Olympics athletes worldwide for his dedication to Special Olympics and the Torch Run.
Nick Zmuda has also contributed to Special Olympics in New York by becoming the first athlete member appointed to the Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee, providing an important athlete voice in leadership. He participates regularly in community events such as “Law & Orders,” Polar Plunges, the Buffalo Bowl and Over the Edge fundraisers, helping to promote awareness and support for Special Olympics.
Our Special Olympics athletes pour their hearts into every practice and competition—pushing limits, building confidence, and striving for greatness every single day. But reaching their full potential takes more than dedication. It takes support.
Your gift provides the critical resources athletes need to train, compete, and shine on and off the field. With your help, athletes like Nick can continue chasing their dreams—and achieving what once seemed impossible.
Make a difference today by supporting athletes like Nick. Click here.
Your end-of-year gift helps Nick Zmuda and 48,000 athletes across New York train, compete, and lead with confidence, pride, and opportunity.
Give today and make a difference that lasts all year long, empowering athletes to shine both on and off the field.
Click these links to become an Athlete or Volunteer!
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For Brian and Tracy Warren, the Buffalo Hot Shots are a second family. So when they were chosen to represent New York at the Special Olympics North America (SONA) Softball Championship last month in Oklahoma, they were positively psyched.
Of course, making a long trip at such short notice isn’t easy. A team that started with 10 athletes quickly grew to 26, which made the 13-athlete roster a difficult decision for Brian and his wife/co-coach, Tracy. Nonetheless, they teamed up with their fellow coaches to assemble a great squad.
“All of them were very excited for what would be one of the biggest events for them,” said Brian. “Their reactions were fun to hear, wondering who was more excited, players or parents.”
Once their roster was set, the Hot Shots got in their reps. They added a second day of practice outside their usual three-and-a-half hours of training, knowing they were facing other teams from the southern United States whose local climate allows for longer seasons. Brian always strives to make practices fun for athletes and coaches because of the bonds they’ve all built together as a team.
The Buffalo Hot Shots played a total of nine games in just three days while in Oklahoma. (That’s more games than some Special Olympics New York teams play in a single season!) The games started off with a rainy gold medal round, and the bats for the Hot Shots warmed up too late and ended with a tough loss, sending the team to the bronze medal game. Still, the Hot Shots were fired up, and nothing stopped them from winning and bringing home those medals.
“Seeing these teams battle, sometimes losing by a lot, but the friendships that are made are so awesome,” Brian said. “Special Olympics NY knows it’s a competition, but when the competitions are over, they will have a new friend when all is done.”
Brian and Tracy worked hard with their team throughout the summer to be selected for the SONA Championship. Other teams, players, and coaches tell them they love to see the comradery of the Hot Shots. And after such an amazing experience, they’ve only grown closer.
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19 Locations in 8 Regions Will Participate
Albany, NY – Tomorrow, Texas Roadhouse will team up with local law enforcement agencies to support Special Olympics New York.
On Wednesday, October 22, from 5pm to 8pm, Texas Roadhouse restaurants will host a “Law & Orders” night. Members of local law enforcement and Special Olympic New York Athletes will join the staff to become celebrity waiters for the night. They’ll greet guests and serve tables to help raise funds for the local athletes.
“We are so excited to expand our Texas Roadhouse partnership to a statewide event this year. We look forward to our Law & Orders nights each and every year,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York. “Our athletes enjoy seeing their friends in law enforcement, and we all enjoy meeting our greatest supporters in the community.”
For a list of participating locations, please see below:
Capital District Region
- 105 Wolf Road, Albany
- 820 US-9, Queensbury
Central Region
- 3143 Erie Blvd. East, Syracuse
- 20790 State Route 3, Watertown
- 3830 NYS Route 31, Liverpool
- 4511 Commercial Drive, New Hartford
- 140 NYS Route 104 E Ste. T, Oswego
Genesee Region
- 1750 County Route 64, Horseheads
- 3150 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester
- 3065 West Ridge Road, Rochester
Hudson Valley
- 2323 South Road, Poughkeepsie
Long Island
- 2571 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 100, East Meadow
- 502 Commack Road, Deer Park
- 289 Middle Country Road, Selden
North Country
- 356 Cornelia Street, Plattsburgh
Southern Tier Region
- 4399 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal
- 719-25 South Meadow Street, Ithaca
Western Region
- 900 Youngs Street, Tonawanda
- 3755 Union Road, Cheektowaga
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend.
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Over 300 Athletes and Unified Partners from US and Canada Set to Compete
Fayetteville, Pennsylvania – Ten Special Olympics New York athletes and Unified partners are ready for a competition like no other: The 2025 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship.
Held in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania and hosted by Special Olympics North America with support from Penn National Golf Club, Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Golf Association of Pennsylvania, WellSpan Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Penn State Mont Alto, Champion Teamwear, Coca Cola, PGA TOUR, and Topgolf, this four-day event features over 300 athletes and Unified partners from 22 Special Olympics Programs in the United States and Canada.
“We are proud to have these athletes and partners representing New York State at this unique competition,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York. “We’ll be cheering them on from home as they strive to achieve their best.”
Special Olympics NY will send 14 delegation members to the championship, including two coaches and two additional support staff. Their roster includes the following athletes and partners:
- Phil Isaacson, Athlete, Capital District Region
- Jeff Isaacson, Unified Partner, Capital District Region
- Edward O’Hearn, Athlete, Capital District Region
- Theresa Lee, Unified Partner, Capital District Region
- Michael Cardone, Athlete, Central Region
- Jacqueline Colone, Athlete, Central Region
- Ryan Goldacker, Athlete, Central Region
- Chris Bovee, Unified Partner, Genesee Region
- Missy Potter, Athlete, Genesee Region
- Aiden Gierlinger, Athlete, Western Region
Competition takes place August 25-28 with awards on August 28. Delegations will join in an exciting Opening Ceremony on August 25. Competition will be offered in traditional and Unified Sports® team formats. Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team. Free health screenings for athletes and Unified partners will be available with Fit Feet (podiatry screenings) being offered on Tuesday, August 26.
For members of the media seeking interviews with athletes or Unified partners upon their return, please contact Casey Vattimo at cvattimo@nyso.org.
Questions about the Special Olympics North America Golf Championship should be directed to Rachel McQuiston, Director, Marketing and Communications, Special Olympics North America at rmcquiston@specialolympics.org.
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Over 70 Teams to Compete in 6-on-6 Flag Football Tournament, Raising $250,000 to Support Local Athletes
Buffalo, NY – Special Olympics New York is proud to announce the return of its signature event, the Buffalo Bowl, to Highmark Stadium for its 9th consecutive year. Taking place Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, the two-day 6-on-6 flag football tournament will feature more than 70 teams from across New York State, all competing on the same field as the Buffalo Bills.
Presented by the New Era Cap Foundation, with additional support from sponsors including Erie County, Delaware North, and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the event is expected to raise $250,000 in support of Special Olympics New York athletes. Other community sponsors include First Student, 95 Nutrition, Bflo Hydration, LaBella and Associates, What’s Next Eric DuVall Foundation, Excelsior Orthopaedics, and Dent Neurological Institute.
“This event is one of the largest and most impactful in our calendar,” said Erica Raepple, Senior Director of Development. “It not only celebrates athleticism and inclusion, but also ensures our athletes have access to year-round training and competition in 22 Olympic-style sports—at no cost to them or their families.”
The action begins Friday, June 6, with the First Responders Division. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 5:15 p.m., and games will begin at 6:00 p.m. The tournament continues Saturday, June 7, with Opening Ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. and games beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Each division will be welcomed with its own unique Opening Ceremony, featuring a Special Olympics New York athlete performing the National Anthem and leading the Special Olympics Athlete Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” These inspiring moments set the tone for a weekend of inclusion, sportsmanship, and community celebration.
In keeping with the spirit of inclusion, Special Olympics athletes will also be competing on the field as members of participating teams, exemplifying the power of unified sports to break down barriers and build lasting friendships.
All proceeds from the Buffalo Bowl support Special Olympics New York’s mission to provide inclusive athletic opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, empowering them to build confidence, friendships, and skills both on and off the field.
“Buffalo Bowl is my favorite day of the year! It’s even better than Christmas and my birthday,” said Amy Zelasko, Special Olympics New York athlete and long-time participant. “I look forward to it every year!”
Media are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please park in Lot 2 and enter through Gate 2.
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33 Locations in Five Regions Will Participate
Albany, NY – Next week, Applebee’s will team up with local law enforcement agencies to support Special Olympics New York.
On Thursday, April 10, from 5pm to 8pm, Applebee’s restaurants will host a “Law & Orders” night. Members of local law enforcement and Special Olympic New York Athletes will join the staff from Applebee’s to become celebrity waiters for the night. They’ll help serve tables, bus, and host for the night to help raise funds for the local athletes.
“We look forward to our Law & Orders nights each and every year,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York. “Our athletes enjoy seeing their friends in law enforcement, and we all enjoy meeting our greatest supporters in the community.”
For a list of participating locations, please see below:
Capital District Region
- 255 Quaker Road, Queensbury, NY 12804
- 594 North Greenbush Road, Rensselaer, NY 12144
- 2400 Cambridge Road, Schenectady, NY 12304
- 3 Lowe’s Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- 555 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
- 268 Saratoga Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Central Region
- 3189 Erie Boulevard East, DeWitt, NY 13214
- 628 South Main Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212
- 3975 Route 31, Liverpool, NY 13090
- 221 Grant Avenue, Auburn, NY 13021
- 1794 Black River Blvd., Rome, NY 13440
- 4755 Commercial Drive, New Hartford, NY 13413
- 630 West State Street, Herkimer, NY 13350
- 300 Riverside Drive, Utica, NY 13502
Genesee Region
- 585 Moseley Road, Fairport, NY 14450
- 1955 Empire Boulevard, Webster, NY 14580
- 877 County Route 64, Elmira, NY 14903
- 4207 Recreation Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424
- 4401 Genesee Valley Plaza, Geneseo, NY 14454
- 8322 Lewiston Road, Batavia, NY 14020
Southern Tier Region
- 3701 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13850
- 2300 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
- 856 State Route 13, Cortland, NY 13045
Western Region
- 4405 Milestrip Road, Blasdell, NY 14219
- 1608 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
- 5822 South Transit Road, Lockport, NY 14094
- 340 East Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750
- 2656 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216
- 1785 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
- 3908 Vineyard Drive, Dunkirk, NY 14048
- 3067 West State Street, Olean, NY 14760
- 4967 Transit Road, Depew, NY 14043
- 1050 Union Road, West Seneca, NY 14224
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend.
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Pushing the boundaries and exploring new horizons.
That is exactly what athlete Julia Harries does. Julia became involved with Special Olympics a little over a decade ago. Since then, she has emerged as a champion swimmer and has taken on additional sports such as Unified bocce. Her most memorable achievements include winning a gold medal in swimming and a silver medal in Unified bocce at the Special Olympics New York State Games.
Through her experiences with Special Olympics New York, Julia has unearthed new strengths, abilities, and successes, celebrating them with a resounding BOOYA!!!!! She shared, “After suffering a brain injury at age 9, it was the Special Olympics that gave me the courage to be brave and pursue my dream to swim again.”
She is a member of the Special Olympics New York Athlete Leadership Council, serving as a mentor to fellow athletes and as a public ambassador for Special Olympics. Julia often represents the nonprofit as a spokesperson, raising awareness and advocating the potential for individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, Julia is a skilled motivational speaker and founded License to Smile. She also currently works as a sales associate at 95 Nutrition.
On perseverance, Julia says “You need to stretch your limits and look beyond your boundaries. Perseverance does not mean that there is always success at the end. Perseverance means in times of difficulty to Keep on Going, Don’t Stop, Be Determined and Never Give Up!”
Check out Julia in the Media:
www.instagram.com/p/CxIhnbXAvkb/
www.instagram.com/reel/CyjvfDvuxzP/
Polar-plunge-weekend-in-buffalo-raises-a-record-setting-450000-for-special-olympics-new-york
Our Special Olympics athletes dedicate countless hours to training, competing, and striving for greatness.
However, reaching the peak of their success often requires more than just talent and determination; it also requires vital financial support.
Your contribution can significantly influence their path to achievement.
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Buffalo, NY – Students with and without disabilities in Western New York have benefitted so much from the Special Olympics New York Unified Champion Schools program over the years that 12 schools are now playing a third sport: Unified Bocce.
In Unified Sports, people with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates. Inclusive Youth Leadership roles are also established at school, giving students opportunities to recruit, fundraise, and attend social engagements with their peers. Taken together, the inclusive sports and social experiences have led to enhanced school climates throughout the country where there is less bullying, improved academic outcomes and a greater appreciation of the abilities of all students.
“The power of Unified Sports is unparalleled,” said Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “Students make friends they may otherwise never get the chance to meet. They compete as equals with their peers cheering their teams from the sidelines. This unified generation is showing us all what true inclusion looks like and why it’s important.”
Four Unified Champion Schools added bocce last year: Dunkirk, Fredonia, Cheektowaga, and Iroquois. They inspired eight new schools to join them this year: Lackawanna, Orchard Park, Springville, Sweet Home, Cattaraugus Little Valley, Cassadaga, Pine Valley, and Silver Creek.
To learn more about Unified Sports, click here. For those interested in bringing Unified to their schools, click here.
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Winner to be Honored June 9 at State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies
Albany, NY – Special Olympics New York is pleased to announce nine finalists for the 2023 Athlete of the Year Award. The winner of this prestigious honor will be celebrated at the 2023 State Summer Games in Ithaca, NY during Opening Ceremonies Friday, June 9, at Ithaca College.
“These nine nominees are the epitome of what it means to be a Special Olympics athlete,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “They compete, they lead, they fundraise, and they advocate, all in the spirit of our movement. We congratulate them all on this tremendous accomplishment, and we look forward to announcing the winner.”
To qualify for this award, nominees must fulfill extensive criteria, including at least five years of training and competition experience with Special Olympics NY. They must also participate in at least three sports and at least two competitions throughout the year.
The nominees are as follows:
Tom Mooney, Capital District Region: Hailing from Troy and competing in numerous sports, Tom Mooney has been a Special Olympics NY athlete for 26 years. During that time, he’s competed at the local, state, and national level, most recently earning several medals at the 2022 USA Games. Off the field, Tom also works as an Athlete Leadership Council member, a social media intern for our headquarters office, and a representative on the National Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee.
Jordan Root, Genesee Region: Not only is Jordan Root a star bowler, golfer, and soccer player—he’s also a dedicated athlete leader and fundraiser. He’s been a longtime member of the Genesee Region Athlete Leadership Council, and on this year’s Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving, Jordan personally made deliveries to local businesses. He’s been a Special Olympics New York athlete for seven years.
James Jewett, Central Region: As a four-sport athlete and member of his local Athlete Leadership Council, James “JJ” Jewett inspires not only with his athletic performance, but with his public speaking ability. His story of perseverance at our Winter Games Press Conference was so moving that he was invited to deliver it again at Opening Ceremonies.
Richard Fishwick, Hudson Valley Region: Over his 12 years with Special Olympics NY, Richard Fishwick has competed in basketball, softball, bowling, and track & field, finding success in each sport. He’s also an influential leader in his community, both with his fellow teammates and with his dedicated membership on the Statewide Athlete Leadership Council. Richard’s nomination form describes him perfectly: “He is an individual who leads by example.”
Matthew Schuster, Long Island Region: Matthew has been a Special Olympics New York athlete since he was eight years old. Now, at 40, he’s expanded his role even further. From competing in swimming, floor hockey, softball, golf, and basketball to volunteering at his regional office and our State Games, Matthew is a pillar of our community.
Erik Viscardo, North Country Region: Erik competes in a remarkable array of Special Olympics events, including bowling, snow shoeing, downhill skiing, bocce, fitness, and our Move Challenge. In addition, he’s a dedicated member of the Statewide Athlete Leadership Council, traveling more than four hours to attend meetings.
Jonathan Beiner, New York City Region: Jonathan is a leader in our organization in so many ways. As an athlete, he competes in five sports. As a fundraiser, he’s consistently one of the top earners for the Rockaway Polar Plunge. As an advocate, he recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak at Capitol Hill Day.
Anne Norby, Southern Tier Region: Though Anne has only competed with us for five years, she has already made an incredible impact. In addition to being an alpine skier, cyclist, and swimmer, she’s one of the founding members of the Southern Tier’s Athlete Leadership Council. Anne represented New York at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Florida, distinguishing herself in the swimming competition.
Ronald Ward, Western Region: As stated in his nomination form, Ronald “embodies the Special Olympics Athlete Oath” of being brave in the attempt. With more than 25 years of experience in softball, bowling, and bocce, he always conducts himself with class and integrity. Off the field, you can always find him fundraising for his fellow athletes, as well as advocating on his regional leadership council.
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How early is too early to start with Special Olympics? Never! And our Young Athletes program proves it.
Designed for children with and without disabilities ages two through seven, Young Athletes is the perfect community program to get kids moving, socializing, and learning the value of inclusion. It’s best as a community-driven effort, which is why we’re so thrilled to partner with the YMCA in our Western Region.
In this article, we’ll delve into this brand-new partnership and show you how to find Young Athletes programs in your region.
The Partnership
So much of Special Olympics is about connections. When we find the right person in the right place at the right time, we can accomplish anything together. When our staff met Brenna Lupo, we knew we’d made a connection that would benefit everyone involved.
As the Vice President of Education and Child Care Services, Brenna oversees activities for some of the Y’s youngest members. Her dedication and enthusiasm for this partnership has been instrumental in its success.
“We are so grateful for our partnership with Special Olympics Young Athletes and the impact it’s had on Western New York children with diverse abilities,” Lupo said. “For years, Special Olympics New York programming has provided children with special needs an opportunity to grow and learn. As a mother of a child with autism, I know first-hand how difficult it is to find appropriate programming. YMCA Buffalo Niagara’s partnership with Special Olympics New York gives more area families an opportunity for their children to grow and learn in a safe environment.”
Three days per week for eight weeks, participants meet at the Southtowns Family and Independent Health Family YMCAs to practice sport-specific skills with other children. Each session is led by experts from the Y using lessons from the official Special Olympics Young Athletes curriculum. Like all Special Olympics programming, these activities cost nothing to participants. (In fact, we’ve even covered YMCA memberships for several kids!)
We are so grateful to Brenna and her team for helping us start this program. But what exactly do our Young Athletes learn, and what makes that learning so impactful?
The Program
In Young Athletes, kids practice sport-specific skills that help them develop into happy and healthy athletes. Furthermore, since the program includes individuals with and without disabilities, participants learn the value of inclusion and respect from a young age.
“We’re thrilled to offer some of our classic Young Athletes skills with this program,” said Michael Paglicci, Special Olympics New York’s Associate Director of Program in the Western Region. “Each week, the kids will engage in new lessons, including kicking, striking, throwing, and more.”
For a closer look at the program, check out some photos and videos below:
Using the excellent facilities and equipment of the YMCA, these have been some of the best Young Athletes programs we’ve been able to offer so far.
How You Can Get Involved
Your child deserves to play. If you think they’d benefit from a Young Athletes program like we have at our Western Region YMCAs, click here to let us know. We’ll do our best to find an opportunity near you!
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Hamburg, NY – More than 1,000 individuals, students and sponsors raised a record-setting $450,000 for Special Olympics New York over the weekend by running into the freezing waters of Lake Erie. The 2022 Buffalo Polar Plunge was held Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 at Woodlawn Beach State Park.
“The Inclusion Revolution is alive and thriving in Western New York,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the students, families and community members who took part in this year’s Buffalo Polar Plunge, and for all of the people who supported them either by donating or volunteering. Each and every one of the 3,000 Special Olympics athletes we serve locally will benefit from this incredible demonstration of inclusion and generosity.”
Photos of Friday’s “Cool School Challenge,” provided by Volunteer Photographer Kelly Martin, are available for download here. Student teams raised a total of $140,000, led by East Aurora ($28,000), North Tonawanda ($26,000) and Iroquois ($20,000).
Photos from Saturday’s Polar Plunge, provided by Volunteer Photographer Ken Smith, are available for download here. More than $75,000 toward the total came in from corporate event sponsors, led by Towne Automotive Group ($15,000) and First Student ($8,000).
First Student incentivized school participants again this year with awards for top fundraisers and additional scholarships. Ava Johnston, of North Tonawanda High School was crowned Polar Queen for raising more than $8,000, and Ethan Spino, of Iroquois High School, was crowned Polar King for raising more than $5,000.
The Top Fundraising team overall was Team SantaCon ($28,500), led by Brian Mack, who was also the top individual fundraiser ($18,000). The top fundraising by a Special Olympics New York Athlete was Julia Harris ($1,750).
At this event last year, 800 participants raised $290,000. For additional details or to support this event, visit PolarPlungeNY.org/Buffalo.
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About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 31,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with about 250 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.
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Happy New Year! Before we look ahead to 2022, let’s look back at 2021. We enjoyed countless amazing moments, but here at 10 of our absolute favorites. Enjoy!
#10: Be Brave Launch
In September, our athletes rocked New York Fashion Week with the launch of Be Brave, a partnership with Special Olympics, the Parsons School of Design, and fashion photography icon Nigel Barker. Be Brave is functional, fashionable sportswear designed for athletes of all abilities.
The team also created Be Brave gear anyone can buy. All proceeds go to our athletes! Find it here.
#9: Amsterdam Earns National Banner Status
Also in September, Amsterdam High School earned National Banner status! This distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools in the nation. Click here to meet Amsterdam Unified.
#8: Our First-Ever Esports Season
Three leagues, 26 teams, and 108 total participants. What a way to kick off our first-ever Esports Season! After that successful launch in March, we ran it back in June with a two-part livestreamed finals. Relive all the amazing competition here! And if you’d like to join the 2022 season, please contact your regional office for details.
#7: SEFCU Donates for Every Olympic Medal
In August, SEFCU pledged to donate funds for every medal won by Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics. That became a $43,200 donation, which will help us send New York’s largest USA Games delegation yet to Orlando in June! Learn more here.
#6: Health Screenings at the Javits Center
152 medical volunteers, 146 medical screenings, and follow-up care for 22 athletes whose conditions might have gone undetected if they weren’t screened. That’s the impact we had at Javits in December! This was the first time we had all five health disciplines at an event in more than a year. Thanks to the volunteers who made it possible, and here’s looking forward to our next screenings at Winter Games in February! Learn more about our Health Programs.
#5: John’s Crazy Socks Surpasses $100k in Donations
Founded just five years ago by Special Olympics New York Athlete John Cronin and his father, Mark, John’s Crazy Socks has made a huge impact on our organization. Learn more about their amazing November milestone below, and see why there would be no John’s Crazy Socks without Special Olympics. Thank you, Game Changers!
#4: If You Don’t Have This at Your School…You Should!
Last January, we launched a video campaign that highlights the unparalleled impact of Unified Sports in schools. 90,000 views later, our fans still can’t get enough of it. Share the campaign with your school administrators to bring Unified to your school in 2022! Contact unified@nyso.org for more info.
#3: Fundraising Frenzy
Whether it was the May One Mile, Go for the Gold, the Summer Social, the Buffalo Sun Bowl, or the classic Polar Plunge, we had a blast with fundraising all year. Our sincerest thanks to everyone who made these unforgettable events possible! Click here to keep the fundraising going.
#2: USA Games Athlete Surprises
We never get tired of seeing reactions like this. Kathleen, Jonathan, and so many more Special Olympics New York athletes were thrilled to learn they’re going to USA Games in Orlando. Let’s go, Team New York! Relive all the surprises at this link.
#1: The Return of Fall Games
Not only was October’s Fall Games the first state-level competition since the pandemic began—it was our first Fall Games in six years! There’s no feeling like being #BackInTheGame.
Thanks so much for making 2021 an unforgettable year! Looking forward to many more amazing moments in 2022.
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