April is typically one of the action-packed months in the Special Olympics Southern California calendar, as the spring season gets underway this weekend.
The slate of competitions will only get more fierce this year, with flag football officially joining the rotation after spending 2018 as a demonstration sport in Southern California.
In addition, a number of key fundraisers highlight a busy April.
Here’s a condensed look at what’s ahead:
Eat, Shop to Help SOSC
The Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions campaign is already in full swing at 345 stores. The fundraiser, which runs through April 23, allows shoppers to donate at the checkout counter to support SOSC athletes.
If a night out at a restaurant is more your style, all Claim Jumper locations across Southern California will host a Tip-A-Cop fundraiser on April 11. Local officers will step into a different kind of service role, as they step in as guest waiters alongside SOSC athletes. All tips will be donated to Special Olympics. See the list of participating locations in your area.
Freezin’ for a Reason
Continuing with the fundraisers, up north Special Olympics Santa Barbara will host its Polar Plunge on April 14 at Leadbetter Beach. For a minimum of $50, plungers can brave the cold waters or donations can be made to support a fellow friend.
Check out a full calendar listing of various fundraising events.
Let the Games Begin
The spring competition begins with seven competitions on April 6 – including the Inland Empire Regional Spring Games in Fontana and the South Bay Spring Games in Carson, as well as five other single-sport events. Among the single-sport competitions will be the first flag football competition in Santa Clarita.
Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo will get a full day of both regional competition and a School Games event on May 3. The San Luis Obispo County Regional Spring Games will feature bocce, swimming, and track and field, while the Spring School Games will have competitions in all three sports plus basketball.
May 4 will be a particularly full day at two sites, as both Inland Empire (Vista Murrieta) and San Diego County (Carlsbad) play host to basketball, flag football and swimming events. The event in Carlsbad also will feature bocce.
In all, 31 competitions will be hosted across Southern California (not including School Games events) leading up to SOSC’s annual Summer Games at California State University, Long Beach on June 8 and 9.
For a full calendar listing of all SOSC competitions this spring, please visit sosc.org/events.
Inside the SOSC is a blog written by staff member Tracy McDannald. It is a more feature-style approach to looking inside what makes Special Olympics Southern California so unique, so special. It is meant to explore the people and their stories. One word at a time.