Special Olympics comprises athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers who are passionate, committed individuals from every walk of life who recognize the value and unique gifts of people with intellectual disabilities... And who, together, share the common belief of dignity, equality, and opportunity for ALL people. We are part of a global nonprofit organization that serves nearly 200 million people with intellectual disabilities, with a presence in nearly 200 countries worldwide. At the local level, we are citizens of Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta, and Highland County, serving 130 athletes with intellectual disabilities in our communities, providing opportunities to train and compete in 9 different sports and partake in a wide variety of social activities. We are a part of the Shenandoah Region of Virginia, Area 5. Every day, 365 days a year, volunteers, athletes, families, and staff from our community work tirelessly to ensure a quality sports experience for our local Special Olympics athletes and an accepting community for their families. Athletes come from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and the common thread tying us together is our belief in people with intellectual disabilities and in Special Olympics: its unique ability to envision and create a world where every person is celebrated and accepted — all through the simple platform of sport. In the decades since Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968, we’ve worked hard so that we may realize founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s vision: to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities everywhere and, in turn, transform the lives of everyone they touch – building a better, more accepting world for all of us.