Around the world, there is a growing hunger for civic engagement and belonging. It's about transforming lives, including your own. It’s about a spirit of giving and teamwork. It's about making your community and community a more welcoming and accepting place.
And it’s about creating lifelong friendships and a new way of thinking about others. Those are rewards of immeasurable value.
Finding the Right Niche
Special Olympics salutes all of its committed volunteers, including Great Britain volunteer Susan Hughes-Payne. “I wanted to volunteer in my community, but I couldn’t find the right opportunity. Special Olympics offered me the chance to use the same skills I use on my job. It was the perfect fit for me to get involved and show my support. I feel like a member of the team and love the atmosphere and vibe.”
Payne accompanied the Special Olympics Great Britain ski team during the 2009 World Winter Games in Idaho. “What impresses me the most about the athletes is their enthusiasm, spirit and camaraderie. Nothing is impossible, and they’re passionate about what they do. Sometimes it’s too easy to be negative in life, but their attitude has rubbed off on me and given me a far more positive outlook on things. I would actively encourage anyone who doesn’t currently volunteer to do so; it’s truly a life-changing experience. Not only that, it’s pushed me to live outside my comfort zone which has helped enormously with my personal development. I had to overcome my fear of a number of things I wouldn’t have done otherwise―like flying on an airplane and, more importantly, skiing!”
Thousands of people gave a few hours or a few days to help at the 2011 World Summer Games in Athens.
The Next Generation of Volunteers
By many accounts, interest and participation in public service, volunteerism and social entrepreneurship among young people have risen dramatically over the last decade.
Today's teenagers and young adults, thanks to encouragement from their parents, an Internet revolution that makes the world feel smaller every day, are far more likely than their predecessors to seek out ways to give back and to shape the world they will inherit.
What You Can Do
Volunteering with Special Olympics creates change that carries forth from our Programs and into the world. Whether you’re an individual or a member of a school, church, work, civic or other group; whether you can volunteer for just a few hours on a single day as a scorekeeper, or several hours a week, year-round, as a special events coordinator; there are volunteer opportunities for you.