The CommUNITY Challenge is a collaborative journey across Washington in which Special Olympics athletes, friends, family, and community members connect and compete in distance traveled and funds raised over a four-week period.
HOW IT WORKS
Individuals and teams will walk, run, roll and move together as we make our way across the state with the goal of achieving 120,000 miles by the end of the challenge! Log your distance online or track progress automatically by integrating an Apple Watch, FitBit, or other wearable devices with the Charity Footprints app. Participants can also participate and track progress using our offline packet.
STEP 1
JOIN NOW
Register for the challenge and set your fitness & fundraising targets.
No device? No problem! Download the offline tracking packet here. Enter steps from your pedometer here.
STEP 3
GET MOVING
Starting Monday, July 25: Track activities and steps anywhere & anytime to complete goals. Remember to take a photo in action and share it online!
There are over 120,000 individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Developmental Disabilities in Washington State. Join us in going the extra mile to create a more inclusive community.
10,000,000 STEPS
FITNESS GOAL
$ 100,000
FUNDRAISING GOAL
As you make your way across the state, share your fundraising page with friends and family so they can support your efforts to keep athletes with intellectual disabilities active and healthy as they make their long- awaited return to the playing field.
Participate solo or join a team and race together with other athletes and community members!
Look out for regional pit stops along the race route.
Complete health and wellness challenges to earn bonus steps.
Earn eMedals for reaching distance and fundraising milestones.
Join us at Regional Competitions across the state to cheer on athletes competing in Summer season sports and to celebrate with your community.
WALK…
ROLL…
RUN…
& MOVE!
In addition to tracking your distance,
complete any of these activities to earn extra miles.
More ways to get involved and earn more steps:
Health & Wellness Goals
Challenge yourself to meet your daily health and wellness goals for hydration, sun safety, and more. Accomplishing your daily goals will earn you bonus steps.
Connect with the Community
It’s our amazing community that makes it all possible! Show your support by cheering on athletes at a regional competition near you, boosting your fundraising outreach, and signing up to learn about future volunteer opportunities.
The need for us to come together is greater than ever.
For 18 months ball fields, swimming pools, and bowling alleys were empty. Medals sat on shelves and gloves gathered dust. While many Special Olympics athletes were able to embrace the new digital world that took over, others were left in the dark due to accessibility challenges. But we’re happy to share that we are back! Athletes are in uniform and cheers are once again being shouted from the sidelines.
Your support of Special Olympics Washington shows athletes, families, and the community that you believe in providing continuing opportunities for thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state who are excited to get back to competition, benefit from health programs, and resume building in-person connections with their friends and coaches.
Your donation today will change the life of an athlete.
As you reach fundraising markers along the way, you’ll earn prizes to celebrate your achievements and show off your CommUNITY spirit! ALL Special Olympics Washington Athletes will receive a finisher medal upon completion of the challenge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters like you!
Anyone! CommUNITY Challenge invites Special Olympics athletes, Unified partners, family members, sports teams, companies, and community members to participate.
Do I have to be part of a team to participate in CommUNITY Challenge?
Not at all. While it is more fun to participate with a team – even if teams can’t be together in person – you can sign up on your own.
Is there a fee to participate?
Yes – there is a $30 registration fee to participate. There is also an option to fundraise to raise money for Special Olympics Washington.
Are the registration fee and donations tax deductible?
Special Olympics Washington is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We’ll send it to you once your donation is successfully processed.
What if I have cash or checks to turn in as donations?
Please do not mail cash. Turn the cash into a cashier’s check and mail the checks to us! Our mailing address is: Special Olympics Washington; 2815 Second Avenue, Suite 370; Seattle, WA 98121. Don’t forget to write your name and “CommUNITY Challenge” on the memo line so we can credit it to your online fundraising page!
What awards are up for grabs?
Top Fundraising Individual, Top Fundraising Team, Most Miles Traveled Individual, Most Footprints Individual, Most Footprints Team.
What other ways can I earn bonus steps?
Earn bonus steps by meeting your daily health and wellness goals. Logging your hydration, nutrition, and sun safety activity will move you further on the interactive map.
I need help getting set up.
We’re here to help! Our staff and volunteers will be checking in regularly and providing lots of tips and tools to get you started as well as keep you engaged the whole time. We will also hold regular office hours for participants to call and ask questions.
What are Pit Stops?
Participants will make their way virtually around the state of Washington and stop in different cities and receive special messages from local celebrities, community members and athletes!
Interested in sponsoring the event?
Please contact Emma Kitnick at ekitnick@sowa.org.
Can I be a volunteer?
Absolutely! We have a variety of volunteer opportunities such as Fans in the Stands, Virtual Coaches, Tech Buddies, and more! Email volunteer@sowa.org.
ATHLETE FAQ
Do Special Olympics Washington athletes have to pay to participate?
No, registration for Special Olympics Washington athletes is free, but we encourage athletes to fundraise and spread the word!
Will you be awarding medals to finishers?
Every Special Olympics athlete who registers and completes the challenge will receive a CommUNITY Challenge finisher medal. Every community member who pays the registration fee will also receive a finisher medal.
Do I need a current medical form in order to participate in CommUNITY Challenge?
We will not be requiring a current medical form for CommUNITY Challenge. A medical form will still be required for in-person participation. If you would like to update your Medical Form, please use the updated form or call the Athlete Hotline: (206) 231-6034 to ask for a copy to be mailed to you.
What if I get injured during virtual participation?
Complete an incident report form and send it to your coach, Area Director, or Special Olympics Washington staff for submission. Or call the Athlete Hotline: (206) 231-6034.
Can I train in-person with my coach and teammates?
Training with your team, walking club or other group is encouraged. Contact your coach or Area Leadership Team with questions or concerns, and don’t forget to follow your local authority’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
I have specific questions about CommUNITY Challenge or need help getting set up. Where do I go?
Contact us at development@sowa.org and we’d be happy to help.
SHARE YOUR PROGRESS
Use #CommUNITYChallenge on social media!
And Follow Special Olympics Washington to keep up with other racers!
CAMPAIGN CHAT
Please register for the campaign to see the chat activity. If you're already registered, login here.