The United States celebrates National Volunteer Week from April 22 to 28.

Special Olympics Iowa would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers who assist our program.

For more than 30 years, Special Olympics Iowa has strived to provide quality, year-round sports training and athletic competition programs to the mentally handicapped.

Without the assistance of our faithful and hard-working volunteers, these programs could not take place.

Special Olympics Iowa offers 23 official sports. Athletes compete at the area level and have the opportunity to go to state-level competitions.

Volunteers of all ages dedicate thousands of hours to train athletes for these competitions.

Volunteers organize and promote events, serve on committees, raise money and run area competitions.

Our volunteers are committed to the Special Olympics movement and to the athletes.

The state of Iowa is divided into 11 Special Olympics areas.

Each are has one or two volunteer leaders who ensure Special Olympics programs are available to all eligible individuals.

These area directors put in countless hours of work each year to organize the area competitions.

Volunteers are truly the unsung heroes behind the success of the Special Olympics Iowa programs and the achievements of the athletes.

The support and encouragement the volunteers give the athletes is instrumental to their success.

The smiles of the athletes during the competitions make us all feel like winners.

The commitment of the volunteers makes us all feel proud.

Rich Fellingham

President/CEO

Special Olympics Iowa

Rhonda Schwarzkopf

Director of field services

Special Olympics Iowa