Volunteers leading the Inclusion Revolution

April is National Volunteer Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible people who make Special Olympics Minnesota possible! In 2024 alone, more than 3,170 volunteers gave their time and talents to support our athletes. From coaches to event volunteers to behind-the-scenes helpers, we couldn’t do it without them.

Join us in thanking all our amazing volunteers! If you’ve ever thought about getting involved with Special Olympics Minnesota, now is the perfect time. Find a volunteer opportunity near you

We’re excited to highlight seven dedicated volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week. These individuals are true leaders in the Inclusion Revolution, and we’re proud to have them as part of our community!

Hadley Ninow, a student at St. Catherine University, has been volunteering with Special Olympics Minnesota for four years. Inspired by her younger sister who has Down syndrome, Hadley loves creating inclusive spaces for people of all abilities. She first got involved through Unified programming at her school and later began coaching with the St. Paul Magic delegation. “Being involved with Special Olympics brings me so much joy!” she says.

One of Hadley’s favorite memories is the weekly Unified dance parties at St. Kate’s with Focus Beyond, a transition program for people with disabilities ages 18–22. Every Friday, students come to campus for a class and finish with a dance party alongside St. Kate’s students. “It’s the best way to end the week,” Hadley shares.

Through her roles as a Unified partner, coach, and member of the SOMN College Board of Directors, Hadley has grown as both a leader and a friend. She’s developed skills that will support her future career in occupational therapy and built lasting connections along the way. Her advice to new volunteers? “Just reach out! Special Olympics Minnesota is so great at helping volunteers find the right opportunities.”

Since October 2021, Amanda Nelson has been making a difference with Special Olympics Minnesota as a coach and event manager. What started as a workplace volunteer initiative quickly turned into a passion. “I remembered a girl from my childhood who participated in Special Olympics, and I had always wanted to get involved,” Amanda shared. She finally took the leap by signing up for a Polar Plunge, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Of all the incredible memories, coaching and volunteering as an event manager stand out as favorites. “The joy on the athletes’ faces, especially at awards, makes it all worth it,” Amanda says. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something bigger and better for others.”

Volunteering with SOMN has brought Amanda a strong sense of belonging and purpose. “Special Olympics has a special place in my heart and brings so much joy to my life,” she says. For anyone thinking about getting involved, she says, “Just do it. The experience is so worth it, and none of it would be possible without volunteers!”

Cindy Vannelli’s Special Olympics journey began in a very memorable way: parking cars at the 1991 Special Olympics World Games at the University of Minnesota. “Can you even imagine the chaos and fun that was?!” she laughs. Years later, in 2015, she officially became a coach with The Bears, thanks to the encouragement of longtime SOMN volunteers and ambassadors Cathy and Carol Peterman.

Cindy’s love for people shines through everything she does, and she’s built countless memories with athletes over the years. “On one of my most challenging days, an athlete came up to me, gave me a hug, and said, ‘You have the juiciest ankles and eyeballs.’ My day immediately improved!” she says with a giggle. That positivity and laughter is what keeps her coming back season after season.

Through the ups and downs of competition—rain-soaked regionals, blazing hot state tournaments, and all the paperwork in betwee n—Cindy finds meaning in every moment. “You see the excitement on athletes’ faces when they finish an event, no matter the place. We can all learn something from that.” Her advice to anyone thinking about getting involved is to just say yes. “You’ll be welcomed into a whole new world of wonderful people, and you’ll get back way more than you ever give.”

When Deb Wyss learned about Special Olympics Minnesota’s Young Athletes program, she immediately saw the potential to create something special in her own community. Deb’s daughter was diagnosed with an intellectual disability when she was five years old. “I really wish I had known about this program when my daughter was little,” Deb says. “I needed a place that felt like we fit—like it was made for us.” In January 2024, she helped launch a new Young Athletes site in Stillwater, which has since welcomed 28 kids and 16 volunteer coaches across four seasons.

Deb’s favorite moments are simple and powerful: watching a child try something new for the first time or seeing friendships begin to form on the gym floor. “The magic of friendship shows up when the kids come up with their own way of doing something and we all join in,” she says. That spirit of belonging and joy has made the program something families and volunteers want to come back to, season after season.

For Deb, volunteering is about hope, connection and believing in the good in the world. She shares her advice to others thinking about getting involved: “There is literally nothing to lose. It’s a wonderful experience, and it will mean a lot to someone else too.”

Nick Rappa has been involved with Special Olympics Minnesota’s Healthy Athletes program for nearly a decade. What started as a dental school volunteer opportunity with Special Smiles in 2016 has grown into a leadership role—he’s now one of SOMN’s Clinical Directors. For Nick, it’s a meaningful way to blend his passion for dentistry with his lifelong commitment to inclusion, a value passed down from his mom, who worked in social services.

Some of Nick’s most memorable moments come from the simple joy of being around the athletes and fellow volunteers. “Even if you’re having the most stressful day, just a few minutes with Special Olympics athletes and volunteers will turn it around,” he says. Watching athletes grow over the years has been one of the most rewarding parts of his volunteer journey.

Nick’s advice to new volunteers: “Don’t be shy—just jump in! You’ll be surrounded by passionate people who are excited to welcome you. Our athletes will embrace you with open arms, and you’ll walk away feeling inspired and energized.”

Julie Eddy has been volunteering with Special Olympics Minnesota since 2010, but her connection to SOMN goes back even further—back to the days of track and field events at Carleton College and long-standing partnerships with Northfield’s Defeat of Jesse James Days (DJJD) festival. Julie leads the DJJD Ambassador Scholarship Program, which empowers young adults to grow as leaders and role models. Volunteering with Special Olympics has become a cherished tradition for Julie and her crew of ambassadors.

For the DJJD Ambassadors, events like the State Bowling Tournament are annual highlights. “The athletes light up when they see us in our crowns,” says one of the girls . “But more than that, we’re there to celebrate their accomplishments and share in their joy.” The ambassadors love making new friends, connecting more deeply with their community, and gaining confidence and passion for advocacy along the way.

When asked for their advice to new volunteers, DJJD Ambassadors Madi and Maiah said: “Just do it! Jump in and get your feet wet.  It’s rewarding, fun, and a great way to make meaningful connections that last well beyond the events themselves.”

Pat and his wife, Michelle, have been volunteering with Special Olympics Minnesota for over a decade. Their journey began with coaching swimming with the South Region Stars. Once the swimming season ended each spring, Pat and his wife missed seeing their athletes so much that they began volunteering at other SOMN events just to stay connected.

When asked what keeps them coming back, Pat says it’s the excitement and energy at every event. One of his most unforgettable moments was at the state swimming competition a few years back. He recalls helping a young swimmer during her 15M assisted swim. “She had pigtails and goggles, and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen,” he said. “She spun in circles and took a long time to finish, but the crowd erupted in cheers louder than I’ve ever heard. I smiled for a week after that and still do when I think about it.”

Pat says volunteering has changed his life. “It’s humbling. It resets your perspective. Every event is a great day,” he shared. “We’ve met incredible people—staff, volunteers, and athletes alike—and we’ll do whatever’s needed, but we especially love roles that let us hang out with the athletes.”