Over 450 participants gathered on the campus of Nova Southeastern University
for the 18th annual
Sallarulo’s Race for Champions. The event, one of South Florida’s most anticipated
fundraisers, celebrates community, compassion, and respect in an
inclusive run/walk alongside Special Olympics Florida athletes.
Race for Inclusion – Miami
Our final 2023 race event took place with more than 300 runners and
walkers coming out Bayfront Park in Miami to raise over $165,000 to
support our mission.
Every Family is Special
A
huge thanks to our partners at Holiday Inn Club Vacations for once
again treating a Special Olympics Florida family to a complimentary stay at
Orange Lake Resort in Orlando.
“Yeah, I am Special”
Special
Olympics Florida athlete Joshua Olds is one of the faces of a new
Special Olympics national campaign designed to reclaim and redefine what
it means to be special.
Hall of Fame Class 2023
We are proud to announce
the newest members of the Special Olympics Florida Hall of Fame. The
2023 inductees truly embody the best of the Special Olympics movement.
State Fall Classic
More
than 1,500 athletes and Unified partners from across Florida turned out for two days of competition at the ESPN Wide World of
Complex.
They participated in six different sports, including
cornhole, flag football,
gymnastics,
pickleball,
powerlifting,
softball.
Celebrating Inclusion at the Champions Gala
Special Olympics Florida honored the athletes, volunteers, and partners
who make its work possible at a spectacular gala featuring
music, dancing, fellowship, and fireworks.
The Champions Gala, presented by Publix, was held at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.
Annual Leadership Award Winners
Special Olympics Florida is thrilled to announce the winners of its annual Leadership Awards which honor service to the Special Olympics movement.
Racing for Inclusion in Orlando
Nearly 500 participants came out to support the third annual race event.
A huge thanks to our host, the Promenade at Sunset Walk, and to our
partners – Publix, Accenture, NDM Hospitality, Orlando Health, and Talk
of the Town Restaurant Group.
Miami Race for Inclusion Kickoff Event
Corporate partners and local leaders met at Gekko’s restaurant to promote the Race For Inclusion - Miami.
Ron Goncalves, President and General Manager, Florida at Nomi Health – a
Gold Sponsor of the Miami Race for Inclusion -- welcomed the attendees.
Triathletes Smash the IRONMAN Barrier
Two of our remarkable triathletes made history over the weekend by competing in and completing the World IRONMAN Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
SONA Golf Championship
Congratulations to the Special Olympics Florida golfers who turned in award-winning performances at the 2023 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship.
Swim for Inclusion 2023
Swimmers from across the state turned out recently for the Swim for Inclusion at Lake Cane in Orlando.
Swing Into Topgolf’s Giving Season
You can support Special Olympics Florida when you make a reservation at Topgolf through October 31.
Racing for Inclusion
Hundreds of participants from across the state turned out to support our athletes and raise funds for our mission at races in Jacksonville, Key West and Pensacola.
Running with the USF Bulls
A huge thanks to the University of South Florida and the USF football team for hosting our athletes at a recent USF Victory Day.
Hanging Out with the Pros
The Tampa Bay Bucs and Miami Dolphins recently invited Special Olympics Florida athletes to preseason training camps.
2023 State Stand Up Paddle
More than 150 athletes traveled to Nathan Benderson Park for a great day of competition, featuring short and long-distance races in both individual and relay formats.
A Night of Celebration
Special
Olympics Florida gathered recently at
Flemings on Brickell Avenue to express our gratitude to our sponsors and partners and to celebrate the courage and
contributions of all people with intellectual
disabilities.
Orlando Health’s World-Class Care
Orlando Health – the Official Central Florida Health Home of Special Olympics Florida – recently opened the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute and invited two of our Athlete Leaders on an exclusive tour of this state-of-the-art facility.
Celebrating a Longtime Champion
For 22 years, Orlando journalist Jim Payne has been our champion.
Special Olympics Florida honored
him with a retirement
celebration in Winter Park.
CSX Hosts RFI Sign-Up Event
CSX has signed
on as a corporate champion and will serve as the host for the Race for
Inclusion – Jacksonville. Last week, they organized a Race for Inclusion sign-up event
for their employees to learn about our Race for Inclusion campaign.
Nomi Health Supports Panhandle Health Screenings
Thanks to the generosity of Nomi Health, Special Olympics
Florida held one of the Panhandle’s largest Healthy Athletes screenings
ever, which
coincided with our Northwest Regional Games.
Publix Bowling Strikes it Big for our athletes
This year’s Publix Bowl-A-Thon once again demonstrated the company’s unwavering support for our athletes.
Celebrating Inclusion
Each July, the nation recognizes Disability Pride Month, an event
that marks the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
Special Olympics Florida Athletes Shine on the World Stage
Our 15 athletes and Unified partners competed with Special Olympics USA in Berlin and made memories that will last a lifetime.
July Campaign: Round Up for Charity
Talk of the Town Restaurant Group is one of our long-time sponsors, supporting annual fundraising campaigns to improve the lives of our athletes and their families, like the Round Up for Charity campaign happening during July.
A Wish Come True
Fifteen Special Olympics Florida athletes and Unified partners are now in Germany for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games.
2023 State Summer Games
Some 1,500 athletes and 300 Unified partners from across Florida came to
the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for two days of competition in six different sports -- athletics,
bocce, cheerleading, cycling, soccer, and volleyball.
Health Champions Honored at State Summer Games
Special Olympics Florida
honored two individuals for their pioneering work in meeting the
healthcare needs of people with intellectual disabilities.