A year-end message from Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock.
2024 Race for Inclusion: A Year of Empowerment, Inclusion and Impact
This year brought people together across Florida to
celebrate inclusion and support our athletes. With record-breaking participation, impactful partnerships and
inspiring stories, this year’s campaign highlighted the power of unity
in creating a more inclusive world.
We Build: Creating Job Opportunities for Our Athletes
The
leaders of Special Olympics Florida joined executives from two other
nonprofit organizations to celebrate Orlando
Health’s “We Build” apprenticeship and employment program.
Supporting Inclusion in Gainesville and in Schools Around Florida
On December 3, Unified Champion Schools across the state came together to celebrate
inclusion and raise money to support their Unified programs. And hundreds turned out for the Race for Inclusion – Gainesville at
UF on December 7.
Escambia County Athlete Sparks New Partnership
We
often say that athletes are the best ambassadors of the Special
Olympics Florida mission, and Escambia County’s Danelle Shavers just
proves the point.
Jabil Highlighted as Sponsor of Unified Sports in West Coast Region
This partnership highlights Jabil’s continued dedication and commitment
to fostering inclusion, both on the field and in the workplace.
Florida Athletes Power U.S. Team to Win in Iceland
Congratulations
to John David Haywood and C.J. Panatieri, who won individual medals and
helped lead the United States Team to a first-place victory at the 2024 World Open
Powerlifting Championships in Iceland.
Florida Media Taking Notice
We are so grateful to Florida news outlets for putting the spotlight on
our volunteers, athletes, and mission.
A Huge Thanks to BJ’s Wholesale Club
We are incredibly grateful to be selected as one of
BJ’s Wholesale Club's
"40 for 40" recipients in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
2024 State Fall Classic
More
than 1,000 athletes and Unified partners from across the state came to
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to compete in six
different sports.
Sallarulo’s Race for Champions Draws Nearly 700 Participants
The 5K run/walk, founded by Paul Sallarulo, celebrated its 19th year of supporting our athletes.
Supporting Our Mission in Orlando and Pensacola
Special Olympics Florida supporters in two different cities came together for a day of unity, purpose, and acceptance for this year's Race For Inclusion.
Celebrating Courage, Bravery, and Determination at the 2024 Champions Gala
Special Olympics Florida honored the athletes, volunteers, and partners
who make its work possible at a spectacular gala featuring music, dancing, and fellowship.
The Champions Gala, presented by Publix, was held at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.
Standing for Inclusion
As part of the 2024 Race for Inclusion campaign, Special Olympics Florida recently hosted a “Sponsor Social” at Komodo Miami in South Florida. The event brought together Special Olympics Florida supporters for a celebration of inclusion and acceptance.
Making a Splash at the Swim for Inclusion
Open-water
swimmers from across Central Florida and beyond came to Orlando to be part of Special Olympics Florida’s Swim for
Inclusion.
Racing for Inclusion in Jacksonville
We kicked off our annual Race for Inclusion in Jacksonville, a 5K run/walk on the
CSX campus. The event was a huge success, drawing nearly 400 participants and
raising over $85,000 to support Special Olympics Florida athletes!
Hangin’ 10
More
than 110 athletes from 15 counties across Florida flocked to Cocoa
Beach for Special Olympics Florida’s State Surfing Competition.
The Road to Inclusion
As part of our Race for Inclusion initiative, Special Olympics Florida held its second panel discussion focusing on the transportation needs of people with intellectual disabilities.
Unified Fore Joy
Join Special Olympics Florida for the biggest day of inclusive golf in the world! Unified
Fore Joy is a collaborative fundraising event happening across the United States and the United Kingdom
on September 27.
Major League Soccer Unified All-Star Game
MLS collaborates with Special Olympics organizations across the country
to promote inclusion and form Unified teams. Our Florida partners are
Inter Miami CF and Orlando City Soccer.
Hearing Clearly Again
With
the help of Special Olympics Florida, Monroe County athlete Jennifer
Averette will be receiving new, state-of-the-art hearing aids.
Tune In to our TV Show
Our latest episode will be airing on FanDuel Sports Sun
through December 2024.
DentaQuest Brightens Smiles at State Summer Games
We
are incredibly grateful to the dozens of dental volunteers who take such great care of
our athletes.
DentaQuest, a statewide Supporting
Sponsor, provided hygienists and dentists at Special Smiles screenings.
Publix Bowl-A-Thon Strikes it Big
From April through June, thousands of Publix associates
take part in more than 50 bowling events to support our athletes.
Race for Inclusion Speaker Series Tackles Healthcare Challenges
Special Olympics Florida and Orlando Health hosted the first in a
series of panel discussions focusing on the needs of people with
intellectual disabilities.
Celebrating Disability Pride Month
The observance commemorates the passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act – the landmark legislation that prohibits
discrimination against people with disabilities in employment,
transportation, and access to services.
We look forward to
highlighting stories of some of our remarkable athletes during the month of July
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.
The Gift of Golf
THE PLAYERS Championship awarded Special Olympics Florida’s Northeast
Region 24 sets of golf clubs for local athletes.
Another Four-Star Rating
Special Olympics Florida has once again received a four-star rating – the highest possible – from Charity Navigator.
Athletes Sign Contracts with Jacksonville Jaguars
More
than 60 athletes had a great time
at the 6th annual Special Olympics
Florida Fantasy Camp.
