The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Special Olympics aims to combine high quality sports with a wide audience, and be a driving force for social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

Zach Wheatley, Volunteer & Over the Edge participant; Special Olympics has been a huge part of my life since the age of 5 when my mom started her 20+ year career working for them. Whether I was coaching basketball and swimming in seventh grade, volunteering at the 2015 World Games in LA, or refereeing a bocce tournament with my wife in Chicago, I’ve always understood that Special Olympics doesn’t only benefit folks with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Special Olympics enriches everyone it touches by showing us the power of the human spirit and the pure joy that can come from reaching your goals. I’ve been inspired by Special Olympics athletes my entire life, so now I’m stepping up for them. I’m terrified of heights, and I’m hoping I can drum up the courage to lift up Special Olympics the way the athletes have lifted me up over the years by rappelling down from the roof of a 12-story hotel in downtown Asheville.

Please help me and Special Olympics by donating to support the amazing work they are doing in North Carolina!

Help Zach go Over The Edge! by Zach Wheatley