Polar Plunge!

Get ready because Polar Plunge will be here sooner than you think! The Shreveport Polar Plunge will be held on February 2nd, and the Gonzales Polar Plunge will be held on February 16th.

What is it?  The Polar Plunge® is one of Special Olympics Louisiana’s largest fundraisers. With the help of our Law Enforcement Torch Run comrades this event is attracting hundreds of people to an otherwise deserted waterhole in the winter. Crowd favorites at this event include a costume contest, musical entertainment, as well as vendor displays and giveaways.

Who? Individuals and teams from businesses and organizations, alongside our athletes and thousands of community members, experience heartwarming and bone chilling extremes as they take the plunge into the icy cold water during the winter for Special Olympics Louisiana athletes!!

Don’t have what it takes? Come watch! If taking an icy dip isn’t for you, then come be a fan of fun as you watch folks Run, Plunge and Freeze for a great cause you can also donate to a Plunger! The Polar Plunge® is open to the public and also features musical entertainment, food, costumes, vendor displays, children’s activities and more. There is no fee to view the Plunge, but donations are always welcomed.

Thank you, Sponsors!

With the aid of our amazing sponsors, no costs are imposed on Special Olympics Louisiana athletes or their families! To continue to operate in this manner, Special Olympics Louisiana depends upon the cash and in-kind donations of our many generous sponsors and donors to fund its year-round program, parish, area and statewide. We would like to extend special thanks to our sponsors.

2018 State Fall Classic

State Fall Classic is this weekend!

State Fall Classic is an event for Athletes and Unified Partners from across Louisiana competing in Swimming, Horseshoes, and Softball. The event will be held on October 20th and 21st at Pelican Park, Carencro, LA.

Find the full schedule here!

Volunteers are still needed! Sign up to volunteer for State Fall Classic today!

Become a Volunteer!

Special Olympics Louisiana is always in need of volunteers!

Whether you want to become a coach, volunteer in our state office, officiate games, become a medical volunteer, other specialized fields, or just come out for one event a year; we have something for you at Special Olympics Louisiana!

The next event we need YOU for is State Fall Classic! This is an event for Athletes and Unified Partners from across Louisiana competing in Swimming, Horseshoes, and Softball. State Fall Classic is on Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st in Carencro, LA! Sign up as a volunteer for today!

You can find more information about volunteering on our website, contact us by email, or call us at 1-800-345-6644.

NOLA Over the Edge 2018

Join us for NOLA Over the Edge 2018! You can have the experience of a lifetime and donate to Special Olympics Louisiana!

Participants will get the opportunity to RAPPEL 25 stories down NOLA’s Benson Tower, RIDE in a helicopter & SWAT train with Louisiana’s finest at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Training Facility, while raising much needed funds for Special Olympics Louisiana athletes! This year the event will be held on December 7th and begin at 6 am.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Click here to register today!

Too scared? You can donate to other edgers!

Internships Available!

Did you know Special Olympics Louisiana has internships available? Build your portfolio while helping a state wide organization that serves over 15,000 people. Internships are available in Accounting, Clerical, Event Planning, Fundraising, Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Recruiting, and Sports/Competition. Contact our office to find out more at 1-800-345-6644 or laso@laso.org.

50th Anniversary

Since 1968, Special Olympics Louisiana has been changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities. Since 1968, Special Olympics has been changing the world! Starting in 2018, we are celebrating 50 years of creating a more inclusive, welcoming world for all. Join us — and Change the Game!

We are asking our supporters to pledge $50 to Special Olympics Louisiana in honor of our 50th Anniversary. You may be a part of our past and now we want you to become a part of our future! Your donations and efforts will build inclusive and healthy communities, empower our athletes to become leaders of change, and provide a chance to know the true benefit of sports and athletic competition through participation in the Special Olympics program.

Thank you for celebrating 50 years of joy, courage, and empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities with Special Olympics Louisiana.

Unified Champion Schools

The Unified Champion Schools approach incorporates Special Olympics sports and related activities while enhancing the youth experience and empowering them to be change agents in their communities. This requires a shift in current programs and paradigms from a focus on events to committing to a movement advocating for youth as leaders. This programming promotes social inclusion in schools to ensure special education and general education students are equitably engaged. Teachers and students are encouraged to collaborate and create supportive classrooms, activities and opportunities.

Students should be encouraged and supported to be agents of change, have opportunities to be leaders, and participate in collaborative school activities. To achieve this, school leaders and educators must foster a socially inclusive school climate that emphasizes acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students. A socially inclusive school is a place where no student is excluded because of the degree or type of disability or the services required to meet his/her needs.

For more information click here.

 

NOLA Over the Edge: SWAT Edition

Whether you are fearless or looking to overcome your fears, NOLA Over the Edge: SWAT Edition is the challenge for you! This event is the ULTIMATE Adrenaline Rush!

Participants will get the opportunity to RAPPEL 25 stories down NOLA’s Benson Tower, RIDE in a helicopter & SWAT train with Louisiana’s finest at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Training Facility, while raising much needed funds for Special Olympics Louisiana athletes! This year the event will be held on December 7th and begin at 6 am.

Find more information about NOLA Over the Edge here!

Find our Facebook event page here!

Support SOLA through Amazon Smile

Amazon.com has an initiative called Amazon Smile, which allows you to support your favorite charity with every purchase online. When you go to smile.amazon.com it will ask you to login to your Amazon account and then choose your favorite charity organization.

If you type in Special Olympics Louisiana and search, a “Special Olympics Louisiana, Inc” will pop up. Once you have selected your charity, it automatically adds it to your profile and EVERY purchase you make sends 0.5% of that purchase to your charity.

Check it out today and support our athletes all year long with a smile!