It has been said the “Comeback is Stronger than the Setback” and that is exactly what Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) is planning to do, come back stronger than ever and share our Genuine Jersey Pride with the world. As we look forward to the 2021-2022 sports seasons, which begin this Saturday, September 11, a renewed sense of hope and promise is abounding as a new season begins and the calendar turns to fall.
As we look back at the year that was, it is hard to believe it’s been 18 months since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been truly amazing to see the determination and dedication of thousands of athlete and families as the world comes back together. SONJ was forced to rethink programming and find ways to continually engage thousands of athletes in communities across New Jersey. Here are a few examples of how this was accomplished.
Special Olympics New Jersey was proud to announce the return of summer competition at the 2021 Summer Sports Finals! The competition was the culmination of weeks of intense athlete training after over a year of being away from their sport. Athletes could compete in-person or virtually in Bocce, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, and Track and Field (Athletics).
Fundraising events were able to resume, with some going fully virtual, such as our Polar Bear Plunges which are normally in Wildwood and Seaside Heights, NJ. Participants still responded raising money and “plunging” from a safe area, all while sharing it with the community.
As competition heats up this weekend and the fall season begins, now is the perfect time to get involved with Special Olympics New Jersey! Use the links below to find out more:
For a listing of all our upcoming events, check out our updated listing/calendar.
Want to learn more about becoming a volunteer for events and helping our athletes?
Are you or someone you know interested in registering to be an athlete and compete?