Two mothers are leading an effort to bring Special Olympics programming back to Wrangell, launching a search for community volunteers to help establish a permanent, year-round athletic calendar for residents with special needs.

Organizers Christy Good and Holly Hammer are working to bring representatives from the Special Olympics Alaska headquarters in Anchorage to town for an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Elks Lodge for anyone interested in participating or volunteering.

“We would also like to explore it as an option to include with the school,” Good said. “There just aren’t many things for kids with special needs to do here.”

Both women have children with special needs who have previously participated in the organization’s events.

Hammer’s son, Carter, competed in 2017 during the last Special Olympics event held in Wrangell. Good’s 24-year-old daughter, Keely, has participated in various activities across the nation as the family moved over the years.

Unlike a one-off annual tournament or a single track-and-field day, Special Olympics operates like varsity or professional sports leagues, with a continuous, year-round calendar divided into four distinct athletic seasons.

According to the Special Olympics Alaska website, the winter season runs from December to March, focusing on cold-weather sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and floor hockey. The summer season, spanning March to June, includes traditional sports such as track and field, swimming, gymnastics, powerlifting and basketball.

Fall sports run from June to September, focusing on bocce and golf.

Good specifically wants to involve the Elks Lodge bowling alley for the bowling season, which runs from August to November, due to the sport’s immense popularity and accessibility.

To participate in Special Olympics, eligible athletes must be at least 8 years old and have a documented intellectual or developmental disability, though there is no maximum age limit for adults. Children ages 2 ½ to 7 can participate in early developmental motor-skill training.

While the Anchorage headquarters provides certified coach training, background checks and help with tournaments, a local program relies entirely on a volunteer management team to secure practice venues and coordinate schedules.

“There are plenty of opportunities to be active with the Special Olympics,” Good said. “That’s why volunteers are so important because everything within the program runs on volunteerism.”

“Every child deserves the chance to be seen for their strengths, not defined by their challenges,” Good added. “Kids with disabilities have incredible resilience, determination and joy to share, and it’s our responsibility to create opportunities where they can shine, belong and reach their full potential."

While establishing a local program requires significant coordination, both organizers say they are ready for the challenge.

“If someone tells you no, smile. Nothing is impossible,” Hammer said.

Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend the Aug. 20 meeting or contact Good or Hammer directly via Facebook.