Category: Beyond Sports
Volunteer Spotlight: Kim Beckhart Helps To Spread Message Of Acceptance And Inclusion
By Terrionna Brockman “I’ve learned empathy, compassion, support, kindness—the littlest things are big things to a Special Olympics athlete. You might not think it’s a big deal, but when you look at their faces it’s a big deal. It’s a big deal that we show up and it’s a big deal that they get that ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Chiljian on the Power of Unified Programs
By Peter Tkac Mark Chiljian is an educator at Mission Viejo High School in California, where he has taught and lead a Foundation Autism Challenges Class for the past 16 years. His school recently received National Banner Recognition as a result of its inclusive sports and activities for their students. Mark is a huge reason ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Coach Max Glaser Makes a Change Through Physical Fitness
By Quyen Nguyen A passion for health and fitness led Max Glaser to Special Olympics Southern California, where he is a volunteer fitness coach. Through the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge (HLC) and his weekly HLC Fitness Club online meetups, he provides a range of engaging virtual workouts and helps athletes set healthy patterns in their daily ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Deputy Chief Blake Chow Was A Veteran Volunteer For Special Olympics Long Before Becoming An Officer
By Melanie Barrios Deputy Chief Blake Chow has been in law enforcement for an impressive 31 years. Being in law enforcement has given him different opportunities to interact with the community and make a difference in someone’s life., but Chow was already making a difference long before becoming an officer. Deputy Chief Chow has ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Coach La Shanda Shipp Impacts Lives Of Athletes in Pomona Valley
By Kimberly Villa La Shanda Shipp’s inspiration to become a coach for Special Olympics began with a promise to her parents that if she became her brother, Tyrone’s, guardian, she would be sure to continue the activities that he was involved in. After being the supportive sister and accompanying him to practices, she realized that ...
Athlete Michael Leon to Represent SOSC at the 2022 USA Games Torch Run Final Leg
Before competition begins in June at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, an elite group of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes will escort the Special Olympics Flame of Hope on a journey across Florida. Law enforcement officers along with Special Olympics athletes will make up the prestigious “Final Leg” team for ...
Michael Zabarsky to Represent SOSC LETR at the 2022 USA Games Torch Run Final Leg
Before competition begins in June at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, an elite group of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes will escort the Special Olympics Flame of Hope on a journey across Florida. Law enforcement officers along with Special Olympics athletes will make up the prestigious “Final Leg” team for ...
Captain Kim Unland Retires After 33 Years
Captain Kimberly Unland of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is retiring after 33 years of service. Captain Unland has served Special Olympics Southern California and the Law Enforcement Torch Run Council in exemplary fashion for more than a decade. She was first named to the LETR Council in 2010 after serving as a key ...
Special Olympics Provides Matthew Watkins with the Strength and Confidence to Be Himself
Matthew Watkins connection with Special Olympics Southern California is much bigger than training and competing in sports. Special Olympics helped him build his confidence and be true to himself. Matthew came out as a transgender man to his family when he was 18 and to his Special Olympics teammates and coaches when he was 20. ...
Phase 2 of Return to Activity Begins April 11
More Sports. More Athletes. More Fun. Special Olympics Southern California is pleased to announce that as of April 11, we will move to Phase 2 of our Sports & Programs Return to Activity Plan. The exact start date of Phase 2 activity for your program or team will be decided by coaches in coordination with the ...