⏰ Deadline Approaching! ⏰
Support our Summer Equipment Drive now and help get more athletes what they need to thrive this summer >>

Hi there! As someone who grew up in Florida, let me tell you: We LOVE the water down in the Sunshine State! 

But it would be hard to find someone who belongs in the waves more than Special Olympics Florida athlete Layla Crehan. A swimmer since age five and a Special Olympics athlete since age 10, Layla competes in standup paddle boarding, surfing, open water swimming, and even some sports on dry land! 

Layla’s also a historymaker: In 2021, at 16 years old, she became the youngest person EVER to attempt the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis – an 80-mile paddle race in open water from the Bahamas to Florida. And it was the powerful combination of Layla’s training, determination, and a great paddle board that got her so close to completing the race on her first try!

Right now, we are running our Summer Equipment Drive to make sure athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID), like Layla, have all the gear and support they need to make their summer sports dreams come true. If you can, donate before the deadline TOMORROW – we’re already 83% to our $25,000 goal!

In addition to her gold medals and once-in-a-lifetime experiences (giving a surf lesson to Tim Tebow comes to mind!), Layla is also an artist, advocate for others with ID, and a passionate believer in her biggest dreams. How do we know?

Because Layla is currently training hard to take on the 80-mile Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis again in 2025! Following Layla’s lead, we believe with ALL our hearts that she can do it!!

This summer and all year round, Special Olympics athletes need your support to chase their dreams on the field and beyond. Sports equipment is a huge part of that, so I’m asking directly: Will you chip in to our Summer Equipment Drive today and help athletes with ID have the best summer of sports ever?

Thank you for everything, team,

Megan Wolf
Senior Manager, Digital Strategy & Fundraising