Glens Falls to Host 2023 Special Olympics New York State Fall Games October 20-21

400 Volunteer Jobs Available to Support 1,000 Athletes Going for the Gold

Glens Falls, NY – Special Olympics New York and the Glens Falls community today announced that the 2023 State Fall Games will be held in and around Glens Falls on Oct. 20 and 21. The Games will bring 1,000 athletes and coaches to the Capital Region from all across New York.

The Games will kick off with the signature Special Olympics New York Opening Ceremonies in City Park Friday night, Oct. 20, and competition will take place all day Saturday, Oct. 21, in seven sports: bocce, cross-country running, cycling, golf, equestrian, soccer, and softball. The event will also include area elementary school students participating in the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, a meeting of the statewide Athlete Leadership Council, and free health screenings for competitors.

Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman and Glens Fall Mayor Bill Collins joined local athletes at a press conference this afternoon, where they issued a call for volunteers to support the Games. Athletes and leaders seek to fill 400 volunteer jobs, which include event setup and breakdown, registration, scorekeepers, timers, photographers, golf caddies, and more. No experience is necessary.

Volunteer registration can be completed online, here.

“We have 400 volunteer jobs to fill, and we know that this community will show up for our athletes, as it has year, after year, after year,” said Hengsterman. “We look forward to another spectacular State Games in Glens Falls, a community that so clearly values the contributions of people with intellectual disabilities and always chooses to include.”

“The annual Special Olympics New York State Games in Glens Falls is a highlight of the year for the city and means a great deal to me, not only as mayor but as a former employee of the statewide nonprofit,” said Mayor Collins. “I encourage everyone to come out and volunteer; there are jobs for individuals, families, and groups. And I encourage local business and employees to help Special Olympics New York offset the cost of the Games through sponsorship or selling 50/50 raffle tickets where they can.”

Get in on the action! Register to volunteer HERE, or buy a 50/50 raffle ticket to help offset the cost of the Games, HERE.

Photos from the 2022 Games in Glens Falls are available for media use, HERE.

Area venues hosting State Fall Games are as follows: Glens Falls City Park (Opening and Closing Ceremonies), Adirondack Sports Complex (bocce), Cole’s Woods (cross-country running), SUNY Adirondack (cycling), Skidmore College (equestrian), Brookhaven Golf Course (golf), and Morse Athletic Complex (soccer and softball).

Warren County is the presenting sponsor of State Fall Games. Additional sponsors currently include: NY Able, NYSID, Sunmark, Glens Falls Foundation, Hudson Headwaters, Queensbury Hotel, NBT Bank, Federation of NY Insurance Professionals, Burch Bottle and Packaging, Gallagher, Goldman Sachs Ayco Personal Financial Management, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Behan Communications, Albany Med Health System-Glens Falls Hospital, and Price Chopper/Market 32.

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