News


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 Bally Sports Sun through October 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.

Vote today to make coach the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year!

Jessica Hontz has been selected as the 2024 Orlando Magic Jr. NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year!  Now let's help her be a national winner too.

An Inspiring Kickoff to Race for Inclusion

Our Race for Inclusion Miami is off to a great start following a terrific kickoff event hosted by Truluck’s Miami, one of South Florida’s most celebrated restaurants.

Triathletes Compete on the World Stage

Let’s hear it for the incredible Special Olympics Florida athletes who competed recently at an international triathlon in Slovakia!

2024 State Summer Games

Congratulations to the athletes and Unified partners who competed recently in the 2024 Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games. The annual event drew more than 2,300 participants and featured seven sports at two world-class venues.

Special Olympics Florida and Orlando Health Announce Five-Year Partnership

Special Olympics Florida has announced a new, five-year agreement with Orlando Health, continuing a partnership that first began in 2019. The organization has been a dedicated supporter of our athletes, and we are thrilled it has chosen to continue this remarkable partnership.

Unified Tennis Makes its FHSAA Championship Debut

District and regional competitions were held at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, and the state championship was held at Sanlando Park in Seminole County. Thanks to everyone who made our first season such a success for our athletes.

Orlando Magazine’s Women of the Year

Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock has been selected as one of the award winners for 2024! The award honors women making a positive impact on their communities, recognizing local civic leaders, volunteers, executives, and others.

Health Screening Leads to Life-Changing Moment

After a Healthy Hearing screening, Special Olympics Florida connected Brandon Reardon with a specialist in Jacksonville Beach to receive his first-ever hearing aid.

Athletes and Volunteer Named as Florida Heroes

Three members of the Special Olympics Florida community were honored recently by Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis as part of the Florida Heroes’ program.

Miami Dade College Named National Inclusion Champion

After an exhilarating competition during the Special Olympics Unified College Championship Week presented by ESPN, Miami Dade College Homestead Campus emerged as the National Champion.

Sunshine Bowl Weekend: A Celebration of Inclusion and Football

The 2024 Jack in the Club and Sunshine Bowl weekend was a two-day celebration of football and inclusion, featuring great flag football, an exciting cheer clinic, and a Friday night blackjack tournament, all taking place at Raymond James Stadium.

David L. Singer Memorial Foundation Honored with Local Hero Award

For more than 40 years, the founders of the Foundation have been enthusiastic supporters of Special Olympics Florida and the athletes it serves in South Florida.

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