Special Olympics Arizona

🌍Today is the International Day of Charity, a perfect opportunity to uplift and empower through your support for Special Olympics Arizona!

By volunteering, donating, or attending an SOAZ event, you help our organization provide invaluable programs that enhance the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.🏅

Your contribution fuels training, competitions, and educational initiatives that promote physical fitness, overall health, courage, and joy among our athletes. Join us in celebrating the power of giving and see the difference you can make.

Get involved and be a part of our inclusive community today: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/

Gear up for an action-packed September with SOAZ! 🌟 Here’s what’s happening across Arizona:

9/7 - Dive in at the Mountain Area Swim Competition + Palo Verde Area Swim Competition
9/13 - Cheer on athletes at the Four Peaks Swim Competition 🏊
9/14 - More swimming in the Four Peaks area, Upper and Lower River Area Swim Competitions
9/14 - Finally, The Bare Aspen Wine and Beer Tasting 🍷
9/17 - AIA Unified Badminton Sectionals East Valley
9/19 - AIA Unified Badminton Sectionals West Valley
9/19 - Strike excitement at the Yuma Union High School Bowling Competition 🎳
9/21 - The Coronado Area Swim Competition
9/24 - The Mountain/North Monument Youth Bocce Competition
9/25-9/27 - The Palo Verde Area Bocce Competition
9/26 - AIA Unified Badminton Competition
9/26 - Encourage our youth swimmers at the Mountain Youth Swim Competition
9/27 - Four Peaks Bocce Competition (School Delegations)
9/28 - Enjoy the community spirit at the Four Peaks Bocce Competition (Community Delegations), Mountain Area Bocce Competition, Upper River Area Bocce Competition, and Lower River Area Bocce Competition

Want to join the fun and make a difference? Check out https://soaz.givepulse.com/group/676857-special-olympics-arizona and sign up to volunteer.

Let’s make September a month to remember with SOAZ!

All-INclusive Night presented by TriDave Legacy Trust is just around the corner! Join us on October 3rd at Footprint Center to celebrate the SOAZ community, promote inclusion, and so much more!

Get your tickets today! General Admission tickets are FREE if you pre-register here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/DXp/

What was your favorite part about All-INclusive Night last year? 🏀🌟

Ours was...
✨ Basketball fun
✨ Photo opps
✨ Silent auction
✨ Dance parties
✨ Inclusivity all around!

Meet Conner S., a dynamic SOAZ athlete from the Yuma delegation! 🌟

Conner’s athletic repertoire is impressive, spanning basketball, bocce, volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track and field, tennis, golf, and bowling. But it’s not just about sports for him; Conner treasures the friendships he’s forged through SOAZ and his involvement in programs like Athlete Leadership and Health Messaging.

Conner is passionate about encouraging other athletes to dive into the SOAZ experience, emphasizing the joy and social connections that come with participation. For Conner, SOAZ is all about having fun, staying active, and building community. Join us in cheering on Conner as he continues to inspire and lead within our SOAZ family! 🏀🏊‍♂️🎳

Meet Brenden, a dynamic SOAZ athlete and a passionate member of the Youth Activation Committee (YAC)! 🌟 Since joining SOAZ in 2020, Brenden has been a fierce advocate for inclusion, working tirelessly to ensure every student, regardless of ability, feels valued and included at school and beyond.

Brenden competes in badminton, basketball, and track, with badminton being his favorite— a perfect arena to showcase his impressive skills! One of his most cherished SOAZ memories is engaging in athlete leadership programs, where he's not only honed his sports abilities but also his advocacy skills.

He believes everyone should get involved with YAC to help spread the powerful message of inclusion. Are you ready to make a difference? Join Brenden and become a voice for inclusion with SOAZ! 🏸🏀

Meet Lisa, the Regional Development Director with SOAZ.🌟

From her first day at Special Olympics Arizona to now, Lisa shares about the impact that SOAZ has had on her life, the love she has for SOAZ athletes + more. Press ▶️ to hear her full interview.

Thank you, Lisa, for your hard work and dedication to SOAZ! ❤️

Did you attend the inaugural All-IN(clusive) Night at Footprint Center last October? Well, it's back! 🏀🎉⁠
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The one-of-a-kind event at Footprint Center will have food, drinks, interactive activities, a silent auction, and a live auction. Most importantly, the event will showcase a powerful program that highlights the strength of Special Olympics Arizona athletes, including athlete and coach speakers, Unified basketball game with Suns Alumni as coaches, community awards, a Unified dance performance, and more!⁠
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Mark your calendars for October 3, 2024 to attend this spectacular event! Sign up here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/DXp/

The inaugural Bowl-A-Thon Bash presented by BotBuilders was an incredible success! 🎳

Thank you to everyone who came out to this day full of inclusion, friendship, and fun! It wouldn't have been possible without our great partners and sponsors. Their generosity and commitment proved them to be champions of inclusion!

The sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community participants were vital in creating an empowering and inclusive environment for all participants. We are incredibly grateful for partners like you. 🏅 Check out the list of supporters below!

MC Companies (Sharing the Good Life Foundation)
Phillips Law Group Foundation ()
Tempe Fire (Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department)
Floor Daddy ()
Cabinets4Less (Cabinets 4 Less)
Paradise Turf ()
Sun Devil Wresting (Sun Devil Wrestling)
Saving Homes ()
Everyone Solar ()
Homeowners Financial Group ()

Video by Take It Easley Productions

Throwback to the Westwood High School Banner Celebration as we kick off back-to-school month! 🏫🎉

Last Fall, Westwood High School proudly earned the Unified Champion School National Banner Recognition, symbolizing their commitment to inclusion and unity.

Becoming a Unified Champion School means creating a school environment where students with and without disabilities participate in sports and activities together, fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy for all. It’s about breaking down barriers and building a community where everyone belongs and can succeed.

As we dive into a new school year, your school can join this transformative movement! Visit specialolympicsarizona.org/athletes/unified/unified-champion-schools to learn how to become a UCS and champion inclusion in your community.

Ready to go Over the Edge? 🏢🧗

Join us on November 16, 2024 for repelling down the CityScape building in Downtown Phoenix for an exhilarating event that literally takes your support to new heights!

There are only 50 spots left to rappel; register before they're gone. Are you up for the challenge? ➡️ Learn more and secure your spot to be part of this daring and inspiring event: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/over-the-edge

Age is just a number at Special Olympics Arizona! 🌟 Whether you're a young child stepping onto the sports field for the first time or a senior athlete aiming to hone your skills, SOAZ is a place for you. And the opportunities don't stop there; adults can continue to compete, grow, and even lead as Athlete Leaders.

No matter your age, there’s a spot for you to start your journey as an SOAZ athlete and discover the joy of sports, the thrill of competition, and the camaraderie of teamwork. Join us and be a part of a community that champions inclusivity and personal development at every stage of life.

Ready to get started? Learn more and join the SOAZ family today: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/become-an-athlete

Strike up some fun—it's Bowling Day with SOAZ! 🎳

Whether you're aiming for a spare, strike, or just rolling for the first time, today is all about enjoying the lanes and celebrating every pin knocked down.

You can support your love for bowling and SOAZ at our upcoming BotBuilders event on 8/16! SIGN UP now to secure your spot and help us strike out barriers and pin down inclusion! 🌟

https://specialolympicsarizona.org/events/bot-builders-bowling-event/

Teamwork makes the dream work! 🌟 Our recent SOAZ Staff Retreat in Cottonwood, AZ was a fantastic opportunity for our team to come together, engage in activities, and undergo training that will enhance our ability to support all the amazing SOAZ athletes. We're excited to put everything we've learned into action and continue making a positive impact in our community.

Thank you to everyone who helped plan an amazing week + for all who participated and contributed to making this retreat both productive and fun. Here’s to growing stronger as a team and furthering our mission of inclusion and excellence in all that we do! 🙌

Throwback Thursday to a stellar moment with Coach Mary and SOAZ's Unified female basketball team on Fox 10 Phoenix! 🌎🏀

They shared their thrilling experiences at the World Games in Berlin 2023, where teamwork and determination led them to victory.

Spoiler alert: They brought home a silver medal! 🥈 We couldn’t be prouder of their amazing achievement.

Here’s to reliving that proud, unforgettable moment!

Check out the highlights from the recent Statewide Education Coaches Conference, held July 25-27! 📚🏅

This event brought together coaches from across the state for an intensive training session, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to better support our athletes and advance our mission at SOAZ.

The conference emphasized the impact that skilled, passionate coaches have on our athletes' development and the overall success of our programs. These dedicated individuals play a crucial role in fostering the sportsmanship, skills, and spirit of inclusion that define Special Olympics Arizona.

Inspired to make a difference? Join our team of coaches and help shape the lives of our athletes this season. Sign up now to become a volunteer coach with SOAZ and be a part of something truly transformative.

https://specialolympicsarizona.org/volunteer/

Back to School means back to sports! 🏫🏈 As we kick off the new school year, it’s the perfect time to get involved in Unified Sports at SOAZ. Unified Sports brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, promoting Inclusion and friendship through shared sports training and competition.

Whether you're a student, teacher, or parent, you can help champion inclusivity by participating or supporting Unified Sports in your school. Join the movement that’s creating a more inclusive environment, one game at a time.

Discover how you can be a part of Unified Sports this school year and make a lasting impact in your community: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/athletes/unified/unified-champion-schools/

Big news from an Olympic legend! 🌟 Michael Phelps, one of the greatest swimmers of all time, made a splash in Goodyear by surprising Ronny, a dedicated Recreation Attendant with Goodyear Parks and Recreation and Goodyear Roadrunners athlete, with a trip to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris!

In this heartwarming video, Ronny shares his excitement about attending the world’s premier sporting event in Paris. From experiencing the thrill of competition to witnessing new records and the gathering of the world's best athletes, hear what Ronny is looking forward to the most.

We're thrilled for Ronny and can't wait to see the inspiration he brings back to our community from the Olympic Games. 🏊‍♂️🥇