and diverse. Volunteers include: civic and fraternal groups, high school and college students, amateur and professional athletes, corporate employees, sports officials, coaches, teachers, parents and retired persons.

Volunteers can get involved at the state/provincial, national or international level, or offer their services locally at a Special Olympics Program in their community. Some volunteers offer a few hours of their time a year at specific events, while others work several hours a week year-round.

Volunteering for Special Olympics can create lifelong friendships and rewards of immeasurable value. Some of the 2003 Special Olympics World Games volunteers even created a Web site just to keep in touch with the friends they made during the event! (The site is open to all athletes, coaches, volunteers, family members — anyone who wants to share memories.)

As a Special Olympics volunteer you will take pride in knowing that you are an important part of a global movement that provides athletes with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to experience the excitement, joy and personal fulfillment associated with sport training and competition.

Volunteer with Special Olympics and make a difference in the lives of more than 1 million athletes, their families and your community.

To learn more about volunteering or to offer your services, contact your local Special Olympics Program. To locate a Program near you, use our Program Locator.