Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
From the local coach who works with athletes weekly to the volunteer who helps input scores at a competition, dedicated volunteers make Special Olympics happen. With year-round training, competitions and events, there is always something to do.Looking for real, on-the-field action? Get in the game by joining Special Olympics Unified Sports®, where people with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team.
Not the athletic type? You can contribute your unique skills to make our area programs run smoothly by registering athletes, planning events, arranging transportation, recruiting new volunteers and sponsors, managing Web sites, taking pictures, publicizing activities, answering phones and e-mail, and much more.
Below are some of the types of volunteer roles you can help with. If you’re interested in getting involved and aren’t already a volunteer, complete our Volunteer Interest Form, or e-mail our Volunteer Manager.
Area program volunteers
Administrative/office support volunteers
Event volunteers
Event management team volunteers
Medical service volunteers
Student intern volunteers
Fundraising/development volunteers
Coach
Sports official volunteers
Sports clinician volunteers
Unified Partner
Area program volunteers
Each of our 30 area programs provide sports training and competition throughout the year for the athletes in their community. Volunteer needs include coaches, fundraisers, public relations specialists and administrative and event volunteers.
Area Council volunteers also are needed to manage the area programs. Visit the Area Council page for more details.
Time requirement: Varies from one day, seasonal (2-3 hours/week for 3-4 months) or year-round, depending on interest.
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Administrative/office support volunteers
Duties could include data entry, filing, copying, mailing volunteer packets and other administrative tasks.
Time requirement: Generally requires 1-5 hours per week, but time requirements are flexible.
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Event volunteers
Special Olympics Virginia fundraisers and competitions are conducted at all levels of the organization (local, regional and state level). Event volunteers are one or two-day volunteers who assist with everything from set-up and clean-up to athlete registration, meal distribution and scorekeeping.
Time requirement: 2-8 hours per event
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Event management team volunteers
In addition to one and two-day event volunteers, volunteers also are needed to serve on the event management teams and assist with the administration of events throughout the state. Duties include assisting staff with competition set-up, event logistics, public relations, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and athlete Olympic Festival activities.
Time requirement: Generally requires 10 hours per month for a 3-4 month period
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Medical service volunteers
Medical service volunteers provide onsite coverage of Special Olympics competitions and also assist in providing pre-participation medical examinations for Special Olympics athletes. Medical service volunteers include physicians, athletic trainers, nurses, physical therapists, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Time requirement: Partial or full-day for both event coverage and pre-participation medical examinations.
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Student intern volunteers
Students looking for experience in sports management, special education, event management, public relations, marketing or development can benefit from working with Special Olympics. Interns looking for additional community service hours to add to their portfolio also are welcome and can find challenging and interesting jobs to do at Special Olympics Virginia.
Time requirement: At least 5 hours per week recommended for a rewarding experience.
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Fundraising/development volunteers
Fundraising and development volunteers plan, implement or participate in activities to raise financial and in-kind support for the local programs, as well as regional and state-organized events. These activities can range from soliciting businesses and individuals for support to organizing a special event.
Time requirement: Varies from one day, seasonal (2-3 hours/week for 3-4 months) or year-round, depending on interest.
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Coach
Local coaches are needed in all Special Olympics Virginia sports. Coaches train athletes for a minimum of 2 hours per week for an 8-10 week season. Each coach works directly with the Special Olympics athletes, preparing them for competition and teaching them the necessary skills to compete at the athletes’ highest level. For more information on coaching, visit our coach section.
Time requirement: 2 hours per week for an 8-10 week season.
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Sports official volunteers
Special Olympics Virginia needs volunteers who are qualified to officiate sporting events. All sports in Special Olympics require judges or officials for fair and equal competition. We offer training sessions for groups and individuals who are not certified officials but are interested in officiating Special Olympics events.
Time requirement: 2-8 hours per event plus one-hour training, if needed
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Sports clinician volunteers
Special Olympics Virginia needs volunteers to help train new and experienced coaches so they can better prepare athletes for competition and run effective practices.
Time requirement: 2-6 hours per training session.
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Unified Partner
Unified Partners train and compete as teammates with Special Olympics athletes in our Unified Sports® program, which pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form sports teams for training and competition. Unified Partners serve as mentors and role models for athletes. Sports knowledge and experience not required.
Time Requirement: Minimum of 2 hours per week for an 8-10 week season.
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Join athletes like Grace Anne Braxton, the world's top female Special Olympics golfer, and get way more than you give.
