The founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Shriver, wrote in 1986 “When a great organization like the Knights of Columbus decides to support Special Olympics, I know that God is looking after his children.”
Our biggest public presence in Virginia, outside of our parishes, takes place annually when we plunge into the Atlantic Ocean each February to support Virginians with intellectual disabilities. For the last five years we have been the largest secular or faithful fundraising group for Special Olympics Virginia. All the money we raise stays in Virginia.
It’s vitally important that each of our 153 councils participate either by plunging or by simply donating.
Your official Council Plunge Pages are active! To find your council team, click on this link and place only your council’s number in the search field. Your Official Council Plunge Page will appear. You and your fellow plungers can click on the “JOIN TEAM” link on the left of your council page to signup individually.
You’re going to have questions – we have the answers and are eager to help you be part of this great Virginia tradition. Please reach out to our Special Olympics State coordinator, John White, at SpecialOlympics@vakofc.org You can plunge in Virginia Beach, one of the satellite plunge locations or do it in your own style at a site of your choosing. Click on the Upcoming Events icon on the right side of the page to find the dates and locations of each event.
In 2024 we surpassed $1,000,000 raised by Virginia Knights for Special Olympics Virginia (SOVa) since 2013!
No other organization, group or company has documented raising as much Polar Plunge money as we have for Virginians with intellectual disabilities. SOVa counts on the Knights to provide opportunities for athletes to attend competitions, where they can showcase their abilities. Our money raised at the plunge, each year, is specially earmarked to cover the entry fees, accommodations and necessities at the Virginia Fall Championships each November in Virginia Beach. Without this support, our family members, neighbors, friends, and fellow Knights may not be able to participate in the games.
These expenditures are estimated to cost $168,000 each year, which is why we are so committed to raising the considerable sum of money that we do every year.
Virginia Knight, Peter Kehoe, writes about his daughter: “Once Laurie Ann graduated from school, Special Olympics has been a major source of pride and socialization for Laurie Ann. She makes new friends, feels good about herself, and gets to new places beyond her group home and day program. Yay, Special Olympics!”
David Thomason, president of Special Olympics Virginia, has witnessed the impact that we have had in our more than 30 years of financial and volunteer support for the organization.
“It’s hard to overstate how important the partnership is with the Knights and Special Olympics Virginia. The Knights give their best and they want to know how they can make it even better for our athletes, our volunteers, our parents, our coaches.”
Thomason attributes the Knights’ growing involvement with Special Olympics Virginia to the relationships they have built with the athletes and their families.
We simply cannot, morally, walk away from this responsibility that we have taken on. And know that the athletes and their families are grateful for our support. consider committing to returning next year and to raising even more money to keep the Special Olympics movement of inclusion moving forward in Virginia. The goodwill and the good works celebrated at the Special Olympics Virginia Polar Plunge Festival in Virginia Beach, February 3rd, represents our commitment to returning next year to aid our family members, neighbors, and friends with Intellectual Disabilities, and to keep the Special Olympics movement of inclusion moving forward in Virginia.
Take the plunge, have an incredible time and be proud of what you accomplish!
