What We Do at Special Olympics
SOGA Area 7 in Georgia
Special Olympics is about more than the thrill of the finish line or winning the game. We empower lives through physical fitness. In Area 7 of Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA Area 7), we do this by building community, supporting our athletes, and raising awareness of attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities.
Community Involvement
Compassion and acceptance may start with only a few people – but, it is contagious. Special Olympics is a worldwide non-profit organization with over 4.4 million members who have experienced the joy and fulfillment athletic competition. In SOGA Area 7, we build community support at the local level by providing athletic programs, outreach, fundraising and volunteer opportunities for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
Athlete Support
SOGA Area 7 is committed to improving the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities. Our family support network provides informational resources, emotional support, and potential opportunities for development on and off the playing field.
Our athletes can train to compete in a variety of sports, including:
- Basketball
- Bocce Ball
- Bowling
- Equestrian
- Flag Football
- Floor Hockey
- Golf
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Softball
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Unified Sports
- Volleyball
At most SOGA State events, volunteer healthcare professionals provide free healthcare screenings that focus on six areas of health: hearing, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, health promotion, and fitness.
Email us at Volunteers to learn how you can support our athletes in central Georgia.
Changing Attitudes
No one deserves to feel excluded or left out. At the Special Olympics, we practice compassion, respect, and acceptance to ensure everyone can realize their abilities on the playing field. We strive to transform negative attitudes about disability by:
- Encouraging students and young people to volunteer at SOGA Area 7
- Helping teachers foster disability awareness and acceptance in the classroom
- Having celebrity sponsors, like the Atlanta Braves, support our athletes
- Encouraging former Special Olympic athletes to coach and discuss the impact the organization has had on their lives
- Educating the community on the value of respect, dignity, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities
Positive words and emotions are powerful tools to change your community. At SOGA Area 7, our volunteers, athletes, families, and sponsors use the joy of athletic accomplishment to raise awareness that people with intellectual disabilities are just as capable of success.
Contact Us to Get Involved
At SOGA Area 7, we are committed to helping people with intellectual disabilities become more visible, accepted, and respected in our community. If you are interested in our global organization, contact us today to learn how you can get involved! We currently cover Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Putnam, Twiggs, Upson and Wilkinson counties.