Special Olympics is wrapping up an amazing season of bowling, swimming, and soccer — with our largest number of athletes and volunteers ever! Thank you for referring your students! It’s been such a joy to see so many new faces join our team. We have had an impressive increase in athlete participation, including an 18% increase in bowling, 11% increase in soccer and 45% in our swim team. 

• Swimming: Our regional competition was held this Sunday in Beaverton. We had 12 athletes competing and they swam their hearts out! Here are some awesome stats specific to Hood River Special Olympics: 12 swimmers competed in 23 events; 3 swimmers competed for the first time; 2 of 9 returning athletes swam in a new event this year; 6 of 7 returning athletes who competed in the same event improved their time; 7 swimmers won their events; 10 swimmers placed 2nd.  Let’s give these amazing athletes a round of applause.
• Bowling: The regional competition was held on Tuesday, November 4 at Orchard Lanes, and 30 Special Olympics athletes competed.  They competed remotely against 110 athletes from Multnomah and Clackamas counties. Results will come out at the end of the month, however, our high score tonight was 137 - way to go team!  Awards will be presented November 25.  Did you know we have some athletes that regularly get TURKEYs?  Yes, that is three strikes in a row!  We also have athletes that use a ramp to propel the ball down the lane. Special Olympics make it work for every athlete. 
• Soccer: Our expanded soccer team will continue practicing for a few more weeks as we prepare for the State Fall Games overnight in Portland at the home of the Timbers, Providence Park, November 22–23. Go team! exciting times! 
• End-of-Season Celebration: We’ll finish the fall bowling and swim seasons with a celebration for athletes at Orchard Lanes in Hood River.  We love bowling with the cops and other local emergency personnel on Tuesday, November 25, from 4:00–5:30 PM.  
• Looking Ahead: Plans are underway for Basketball 3-4 in the Horizon gym, followed by (brand new sport!) Cornhole 4-5 in the Horizon cafeteria. The season will start  Sunday January 5 and go at least through February. Date of regional competition pending.  Would you consider coaching, cheering, or participating as an athlete? Contact hoodriver@soor.org
• Snow Sports: We’re working on final arrangements for snow sports opportunities for 2026 — stay tuned!  Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing at Mount Hood Meadows likely  starting  Wednesdays (9-2)  Jan 28 for 6 weeks.  Interested?  Sign up to volunteer at Soor.org and email hoodriver@soor.org 
• Save the Date – Polar Plunge! Our biggest fundraiser of the year will take place on Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 AM at the waterfront. We are so pleased that once again, MCAR MidColumbia Association of Realtors is jumping into spearheading this event. More details coming soon — sign up here!
• Bonus Opportunity: Before we wrap up, we wanted to share a basketball athlete opportunity at Portland State University — Portland State Vikings Game of Recognition and Inclusion, Dec. 13 2025 2-4pm. Check out more information here!
• Unified Robotics: The Unified Robotics Competition on the 15th from 11:30 to 2:30 in the library at the high school.  Folks are welcome to come watch!  

Attention High School Students

Did you know your volunteer time with Special Olympics can count towards your necessary volunteer hours? It looks wonderful on your college applications and resumes too!  Many great volunteers moved on after graduation, and we would love to replenish the high school stash of coaches, especially during next season’s basketball and/or cornhole events.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, 

• Click on www.soor.org 
• Click 'Volunteer'
• Click 'Become a coach' 
• Click 'Hood River' 
• Click 'Start a new Class A application'