Special Olympics Arkansas – Paragould

Special Olympics Arkansas – Paragould is a non-profit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Their mission is to offer individuals with intellectual disabilities 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. They offer a variety of Olympic-type sports, including track and field, swimming, softball, volleyball, unified flag football, powerlifting, bocce, and cycling, as well as basketball, bowling, and floor hockey. Special Olympics Arkansas is supported by individual donations, private and corporate sponsorships, state appropriations, grants, and special fundraising events. Their goal is to properly train their special athletes by training their coaches first, with certification in Special Olympics coaching offered in all official sports. The organization is proud of its program and the love and dedication of many volunteers who know that individuals with intellectual disabilities have important contributions to make to society.