This page provides information for leadership volunteers across North Carolina to keep them informed of new resources and opportunities from SONC while also sharing regular reminders on practices and policies. Visit it regularly to stay informed!
New State-Level Award Nomination Form
Updated: 6/1/20
We now have a new State-Level Award Nomination Form. If you know an athlete, family, coach, volunteer or business/organization that is a true champion for inclusion in your community, use this form to nominate them. The deadline for nominations has been extended to July 1. Contact Lindsay Waldron, VP of Community Resources, at lwaldron@sonc.net with questions.
Zoom for Local Programs
Updated: 5/29/20
Do you use Zoom? This online video conference service offers a free version that is perfect for committee meetings, athlete social events and more to keep you connected. SOI has also created some customized backgrounds to use including Play Unified and The Revolution Is Inclusion. Click here to download one (or all!).
Calling All Athletes: Last Week to Work Out Live with North Carolina’s Top Professional Athletes!
Updated: 5/28/20
There’s still one week left to join Special Olympics North Carolina athletes from across the state Thursday at 5 p.m. for a live virtual workout with the state’s top professional athletes! Learn about what they have been doing and how they are staying active, just like you. The series ends on June 4 and is open to Special Olympics athletes only, so be sure to register to express interest and secure your spot! Thursday, before the workout, you will receive an email with instructions and an invite code for the Zoom call.
Cabarrus County Athletes Compete in 2020 Special Olympics Xbox Virtual Gaming Event
Updated: 6/2/20
Cabarrus County athletes Dylan Grennell and Thomas Stipe represented Special Olympics North Carolina at the 2020 Special Olympics Xbox Virtual Gaming Event, featuring car racing video game Forza Motorsport 7 on May 30. After a welcome for the athletes by NASCAR driver Erik Jones, commentators Alie Tacq and Hannah Newhouse called the action for five divisions and 37 athletes from 11 states in a broadcast lasting over five hours. In addition to the racing action, each athlete created a Minecraft avatar for the virtual awards ceremony after their heats.
Dylan Grennell competed in Division 3, coming in sixth place. Thomas Stipe was drawn into Division 4, finishing in fifth place. Racing alongside North Carolina representatives were athletes from Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. A recording of the event is available on Twitch, Mixer, and YouTube.
Sign Up for the Keep the Hope Virtual Torch Run
Updated: 5/26/20
Can you get more miles than your local law enforcement? Join the Keep the Hope Virtual Torch Run to prove it! There is no cost for athletes to register and every registered athlete receives a 2020 Law Enforcement Torch Run t-shirt. Click here for more information on the Special Olympics NC Athlete Challenge! Use this calendar to track your miles.
Strong Mindfulness Workshops Available
Updated: 5/14/20
Special Olympics will be hosting online Strong Mindfulness Workshops starting on Friday, May 15, running through July 17. These free sessions will teach athletes meditation techniques to help manage stress. Sign up here!
NCCDD Virtual Road Tour
Updated: 5/14/20
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities is hitting the road (virtually) to gather input from those with intellectual disabilities, their family members, caregivers and other stakeholders. The input given will help the Council begin building its Five-Year State Plan, which is their blueprint for creating a better North Carolina for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Virtual sessions will be held on Monday, May 18 and Monday, June 1. Learn more or register for a session!
Extended Suspension of Special Olympics North Carolina Programming
Updated: 5/11/20
Special Olympics North Carolina has made the decision to extend the suspension of all in-person practices, events and social activities at all levels of the organization through June 30, 2020. The decision was made in accordance with the most recent global guidance from Special Olympics International (SOI), taking into account guidance from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization. This is not an easy decision, especially as government officials begin the process for the slow reopening of our state, but we are asking our athletes, coaches, families and volunteers to please be patient. Our highest priority is to ensure the health and safety of our athletes, volunteers and fans. Special Olympics competitions and events are opportunities for entire communities to come together in support of our mission. Unfortunately, that joining together poses significant risks for everyone involved. We encourage everyone to continue to use the Healthy and Active at Home resources. SONC will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.
Get Up and Dance – Dance for Inclusion
Updated: 5/4/20
COVID-19 has impacted all parts of our community. We had to cancel the spring sports season, Summer Games and one of the greatest parts of the athlete experience, the Victory Dance.
Engage with us by participating in this dance for inclusion and make a donation to show the world that we can still inspire joy, friendship and hope through the joy of dancing.
Friendly Reminder Regarding Online Fundraising
Updated: 2/12/20
As we continue to plan fundraising events for 2020, please remember that local programs are not approved to create or use unauthorized online fundraising websites (such as Eventbrite, Gofundme, etc.). The only approved platforms SONC local programs can use are Classy and Firstgiving, which must be created by your Community Resource Director. Please reach out to lbruce@sonc.net or iwilliams@sonc.net when planning your event to make sure we can help with planning and ensure we are using the appropriate online registration and payment platform.
Walmart Grant Process for Local Programs
Updated: 2/12/20
Many programs have asked about Walmart grants and how we can go about applying for them. At this time, requests for community grants cannot be fulfilled by a local program; instead we encourage local programs to engage Walmart as volunteers in order to qualify for and potentially receive their VAP grants. You can read more about the opportunity here and contact your Community Resource Director should you have any questions about the process.
Sales Tax Reminder
Updated: 2/3/20
As a non-profit organization, SONC applies for a refund on all state sales taxes applied to purchases made within the state. Please be sure to provide receipts showing state sales taxes and document the sales tax on all reimbursements, check authorizations, and cash advance reports. If you have any questions about sales tax, please reach out to your Community Resource Director.
