Dear Friend, 

These final weeks before the end of the year are a time for reflection. As I look back on another awe-inspiring year of Special Olympics – from the tens of thousands of exciting local competitions to the magnificent World Games in Berlin – I wanted to reach out to say thank you for all you do to power our global inclusion movement.

As a result, we’ve improved the lives of millions of people with ID and brought families, communities, and nations together in the spirit of sharing our joy, our common humanity, and – of course – the magic of sports. 

For so many, 2023 produced unexpected conflicts, and across the world, people with and without ID face both new and persistent challenges. Special Olympics has always been and will always be a beacon of light and hope in hard times, and this year was no exception:

• In February, Special Olympics held its 21st annual Capitol Hill Day when our athletes led more than 250 face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress to share their stories and press for inclusive education and health initiatives.
• In April, our very own Chief Inspiration Officer Loretta Claiborne was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year 2023. From the local level to the world stage, Loretta has been one of the strong voices in our Special Olympics movement and I am honored to work alongside her.
• In June, thousands of exceptional athletes from over 170 countries gathered in Berlin, Germany, to compete in our summer World Games! They were supported by 3,000 coaches, 18,000 volunteers, and countless fans around the world. 
• In October, Special Olympics visited the White House in honor of the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Celebrating these historic acts with President Biden and my colleague Novie Craven was an honor.
• All year long, Special Olympics made crucial health screenings available for free to people with ID. Your support makes over 18,000 of these inclusive screenings possible every year. 

There is no greater honor in my life than being a part of the Special Olympics family. Every day, every year, passionate supporters like you make dreams come true and the impossible possible for athletes with ID around the world.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being with us every step of the way. Let’s roll up our sleeves and recommit to our inclusion movement in 2024! 

Warm wishes and happy holidays from all of us at Special Olympics,

Tim Shriver
Chairman of the Board