Special Olympics Florida

This Sunday, Oct. 6, is National Coaches Day – when we celebrate the incredible coaches who inspire, motivate, and empower athletes both on and off the playing field. Their dedication, leadership, and passion make a lasting impact on every life they touch. We especially want to congratulate our recently-named Coach of the Year 🏆 Elizabeth Dager, from Miami-Dade County. Be sure to check out the video highlighting her incredible journey and the impact she’s had on so many athletes. And THANK YOU to all the incredible coaches who champion for people with intellectual disabilities. You are true heroes! 

Congratulations to the The Florida Department of Education for receiving the 2024 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award. This honor is given to an organization that has played a significant role in furthering the vision of our founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. For more than a decade, the Department and its leaders have enthusiastically supported our Unified Champion Schools and Young Athletes programs. Over time, the Department’s dedication to our mission has grown significantly. THANK YOU for being a true champion of our athletes!

🌟Congratulations to our 2024 Athlete of the Year: Chris McDarby! 🌟 Chris McDarby has been a part of the Special Olympics Florida family since 1995, excelling in multiple sports like track and field, golf, bowling, and more. He’s earned numerous accolades, including the Zenay Morales Courage Award and the Todd Falanga Inspirational Athlete of the Year award. His athletic accomplishments even took him to the Special Olympics USA Games, where he showcased his golf talents. But Chris’s achievements go beyond the playing field. As a valued Publix Super Markets Associate, Chris exemplifies the power of inclusion in the workplace, delivering exceptional service and building connections with customers every day. In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re especially proud to highlight his contributions at Publix. Chris’s success is a reminder that individuals with intellectual disabilities bring unique talents and skills to the workforce, enriching the communities they serve. Join us in celebrating Chris’s incredible journey—both as an athlete and a professional. His story reflects the heart of our mission, showing the world that everyone has something valuable to contribute. Check out the video we shared at the Champions Gala to learn more about Chris and his inspiring path.

What a weekend! Our first Race for Inclusion of the year kicked off in Jacksonville! Thank you to all the participants and volunteers, and to our fantastic host – CSX. Downtown Jacksonville was filled with energy in support of the 75,000 incredible athletes we serve. We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing sponsors, whose generosity helped make this event a success. CSX {Race Host} Publix Super Markets {Premier Partner} Accenture {Official Strategy Partner} iHeartMedia and Clear Channel Outdoor {Media Partners} City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Jaguars Coggin Automotive Group, UnitedHealth Group, Mayo Clinic {Bronze Sponsors} Acosta Group, Engel & Völkers {Supporting Sponsors} Together, we are empowering our friends with intellectual disabilities and creating opportunities for them to SHINE on and off the playing field. We hope to see you at the starting line at one of the seven remaining events. Find a race near you and get your company on board at www.raceforinclusion.org. #raceforinclusion #jacksonville #specialolympicsflorida #inclusion #everystepmatters #choosetoinclude #specialolympicsathletes

We are so grateful to TD Bank, who warmly welcomed athletes into their branches to learn first-hand about their experiences with Special Olympics Florida, and heard their personal stories regarding education, employment, volunteerism, hobbies, and interests. Thank you to the hundreds of bank managers and associates for the time you spent with these remarkable athletes. TD Bank also hosted a summer-long campaign to raise funds to support our 70,000-plus athletes who train and compete all year long. We truly appreciate America’s Most Convenient Bank™ for their long-standing relationship with Special Olympics. THANK YOU for being such outstanding champions for inclusion!

A big thanks to Power Design, Inc. for your amazing support! 🤩 We’re thrilled to see the impact your donation will make on our West Region golf program. Get ready to watch our athletes shine even brighter! ⛳🌟

We recently kicked of our Race for Inclusion–Jacksonville, and we are so grateful to partners like CSX who champion for a world where everyone – regardless of their abilities – is embraced, celebrated, and given the same opportunities to reach their full potential. When you join the Race for Inclusion, you send a powerful message of solidarity and help make dreams come true for people with intellectual disabilities. We hope you'll join us in making a difference at one of the eight events around Florida—become a sponsor or register today for the Race for Inclusion today! Every step matters. www.raceforinclusion.org

It's always a good time for golf, and our friends at Topgolf are supporting Special Olympics Florida through their annual Giving Season – August 1-September 30. So get your swing ready, and visit a Topgolf near you to support our 70,000 athletes. Guests can donate to our mission at any location in Florida, purchase a $5 Law Enforcement Torch Run® Flame Icon, or buy an exclusive Red Glove. And be sure to visit any Topgolf on our special Tip-A-Cop dates – August 3 and September 7. Law enforcement personnel will be working hard (and having fun) as celebrity waiters to collect tips in support of local Special Olympics athletes. We hope you'll swing on in to Topgolf soon! Thank you Topgolf for being a great champion for inclusive sports.

Our pickleball athletes will soon be swinging in style with all new paddles from the incredible team at Quiet Play Paddles. We are so grateful for these customized paddles for more than 300 athletes who will be hitting the courts again this fall. These unique paddles – both lightweight and durable – boast a blend of advanced technologies also used by NASA and the aerospace industry, and an innovative design – that bring elevation to the sport through the use of state-of-the-art materials. With these new paddles, our athletes will have the tools they need to sharpen their skills, foster new friendships, and achieve new milestones. Thank you Quiet Play Paddles for believing in their potential and for being a champion of inclusive sports.

Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. More than just a law, this landmark legislation has transformed countless lives, and symbolizes our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities and access for people with all types of disabilities. Today we celebrate this day by honoring the progress we've made in creating a more inclusive society. We also recognize the ongoing efforts needed to break down barriers. There's still work to be done, so let's all continue to advocate for accessibility, embrace diversity, and build a world where everyone can thrive. Most of all, THANK YOU to our 70,000 athletes across the state who show the spirit of the ADA every day...on and off the playing field. #ADAAnniversary #ADA #InclusionMatters #DisabilityRights #SpecialOlympicsAthletes #InclusiveSports #ChoosetoInclude #SpecialOlympicsFlorida