Special Olympics Kansas

Specific Need

Special Olympics Kansas provides sports, training, competitions, and programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In 2023, over 10 competitions were held and two state competitions in Southeast Kansas. With 1,805 athletes participating in the Southeast Kansas competitions, Special Olympics Kansas is working with the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas to raise funds to continue this work.

Funds will provide needed equipment, medals, meals, shirts, and other supplies for competitions and programs.

Please support the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas and Special Olympics Kansas by making your gift to help our Southeast Kansas athletes.

Mission

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Profile

Special Olympics Kansas is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions, health and nutrition programs and leadership development. Offering year-round initiatives to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics Kansas is a platform for acceptance and inclusion as well as one of the largest advocates for healthy lifestyles in the state – regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences.

It is our belief that participation in sports enables challenges and opportunities to be introduced to the participants, teaching them teamwork, decision making, leadership, goal-setting, perseverance, commitment and sportsmanship, while developing self-confidence, self-esteem, character and integrity.

To learn more about Special Olympics Kansas and how you can be involved, please visit https://soks.org/get-involved/.

There is something about the thrill of competition. The sweat, the hustle, the effort that comes with doing your best. The joy of victory, the challenge of falling behind, the support of a team and the encouragement of a cheering crowd.

Behind it all – there is achievement.