SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Category: Life Featured:

Robert Macaluso

Program Purpose

Celebrate the worth and dignity of every human being through the Special Olympics.  Knights of Columbus NC Councils and Districts work with Special Olympics county representatives to determine how best to fund, sponsor or volunteer for events in the local community.  Special Olympics is a national program, significantly supported by our Supreme Council, with three ways to help:  1. Donate; 2. Volunteer to help at Events or in ongoing roles within their structure; and 3.  Participate in a Special Olympics fundraising event, such as Rapelling in Raleigh, to raise money.  The Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) local support is typically handled through the County Parks and Recreation Centers as an additional repsonbility.

Program Overview

The Knights of Columbus has a unique partnership with the Special Olympics and has helped disabled athletes train for and compete in games around the world. Knights of Columbus councils have assisted with all aspects of the program from fundraising to feeding the athletes, organizing and judging events, and providing equipment and awards. Without the support of the Knights, participants would not be able to train for the events that they love.

Our NC Chairman is very dedicated to these special citizens and our State Council has a member on the Board of the Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC).  It is recommended that someone on each council be appointed as the Special Olympics Chairman for the council and is active with the SONC in scheduling council events and SONC Knight volunteers.

The SONC relies on our Sir Knights to provide an Honor Guard during the opening ceremonies for State and County/City events.  This volunteer opportunity is important for our Knights to fill since we are in a unique in our ability to provide this and the formality and country patriotism is uplifting for the athletes.

The SONC organization has athletic events for each season of the year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  The SONC planning calendar is typically about 2-3 months ahead for your planning.  It has been created with volunteer opportunities available for councils and individual Knights to help.  It can be accessed at  https://sonc.net/special-olympics-north-carolina-sports-calendar/  it is recommended that a Council coordinate SONC local/county/city events with the SONC County representative who is assigned: https://sonc.net/local-programs/

Fall State events to consider are:
Truck Convoy in Charlotte...August 16, 2025
Over the Edge Rappelling in Raleigh....September 27, 2025
State Equestrian Tournament in Tryon...September 19-21, 2025
Fall Athletic Games in Charlotte...November 15-16, 2025

Supreme site for Special Olympics is: https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/faith-in-action-programs/life/special-olympics.html

Program Requirements

Councils are required to contribute a minimum of 200 man-hours in support of state/local Special Olympics activities, or must raise a minimum of $2,000 for Special Olympics.

Report activity using the online Program Report Form (#10784).  The link to Supreme for getting access to the Form 10784 is: https://www.kofc.org/en/forms/spa/invite.html?lang=en&form=10784C.01
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