Special Olympics Southern California Mourns the Passing of Founder Rafer Johnson
Special Olympics Southern California was saddened to hear of the passing of Rafer Johnson, founder of SOSC, humanitarian, and Olympic Gold Medalist. The entire SOSC community, including athletes, volunteers, partners, and staff, mourns this loss. Today we lost one of our family members and one of the biggest champions for people with intellectual disabilities. ...
INSIDE SOSC: Getting to Know Charles Martindale
By Zach Fidel Special Olympics Southern California athletes don’t just get the opportunity to compete in various sporting events, they also get the chance make a lasting impact within the organization. Some even have traveled to places they have never dreamed about going. Charles Martindale, the San Diego Athlete Input Council Vice President, is an ...
INSIDE SOSC: Athlete Leaders ‘Spread Special Olympics Power’
Special Olympics San Diego athlete Sophie Demos sees value in athlete-led council participation. After all, who better than the athletes served to give direct feedback. She is one of 12 members on Special Olympics San Diego’s Athlete Input Council. “When the [athletes] have input, we help make it better and bigger for Special Olympics,” Sophie ...
Monti Peterson Finds His Voice
By Andrew Higa The impact Special Olympics Southern California has had on Monti Peterson can be seen in many instances of his life. He's had the opportunity to speak in front of the likes of Mattel and Toyota employees, as well as volunteer at a nearby VA hospital over the years. It's all thanks to ...
SOSC To Host Fall Extravaganza to Promote Wellness During COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Special Olympics Southern California has found ways to continue its essential health, wellness, fitness, and educational programming virtually, and now, it will continue the celebration with a Fall Extravaganza. The Extravaganza will feature several engaging virtual events during October and November to inspire athletes, volunteers, and supporters to get moving and ...
LA Galaxy to Host Virtual Soccer Clinic; SOSC Athletes Invited to Attend
The Los Angeles Galaxy are conducting a virtual soccer clinic this Saturday, October 17 for the non-profit Academia de Futbol Juvenil Amatense (AFJA). Special Olympics Southern California high school athletes and Unified Partners are invited to participate. AFJA serves youth athletes in low income communities, mostly in Central America. They have even partnered with some ...
Reach Every Athlete
As announced in August, Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) has made the decision to cancel all in-person activity through March 2021 and shift our focus and approach to virtual programming and long-term planning. THE PLAN Survey: Learn about each individual athlete’s interests and ability to participate, barriers to participating, and preferred means of receiving SOSC ...
Kinecta Federal Credit Union Supports We Run the City
By Andrew Higa Kinecta Federal Credit Union has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics Southern California. From Plane Pull teams, a game booth at Pier Del Sol, to Fans in the Stands buses during the 2015 World Games, they have shown constant support for SOSC. Now, the company is back to support SOSC’s annual ...
Joseph Gorin is Team USC for the Virtual We Run the City
Even in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, Special Olympics Southern California athlete Joseph Gorin is prepared to Fight On. Joseph is representing the USC side in the annual We Run the City 5K/10K run/walk fundraiser, which takes the UCLA/USC rivalry and pits the crosstown rivals’ supporters in a competition to see which side can ...
SOSC Will Hold Fundraisers to Support Athletes Impacted by COVID-19 Health Crisis
Whether bidding for wine packages, running a 5K, or playing bingo piques your interest, Special Olympics Southern California has fun, social, and virtual opportunities for everyone to support the immediate and long-term needs of SOSC athletes during the COVID-19 health crisis. During October and November, join Special Olympics in the following virtual events and fundraisers: ...