By Erin Holloway, Special Olympics Colorado Athlete

Becoming a part of Special Olympics Colorado helps create a great quality of life and inclusion for everyone who is involved.

Those who volunteer for Special Olympics Colorado and great people. Volunteers made me feel cared about. Before Special Olympics, I felt lonely and left out. But once I got involved, volunteers showed me how much I’m cared for by everyone, not just my family and friends.

Here are 8 reasons you should volunteer with Special Olympics Colorado:

1. Volunteering with Special Olympics can be a positive life-changing experience for yourself and the athletes.

You can gain friendships. Volunteering with Special Olympics can help you grow as an individual. Also, you will discover that Special Olympics athletes are compassionate and caring individuals who spread joy that is contagious.

2. Special Olympics can be a supportive community to be a part of.

Special Olympics is like one giant family worldwide, their support includes everyone! You will discover that you are always surrounded by others who care about you, and you can always reach out to someone if you have a need.

3. Volunteering can give you experience if you are choosing a career working with individuals with disabilities.

Volunteering with Special Olympics can give you experience interacting with individuals with an IDD and learning the many ways of communicating and understanding different needs of Special Olympics athletes.

4. Sharing your love and compassion for sports with others who feel the same way is fun no matter who you are.

A love for sports is universal. Sharing your love for a favorite team or sport with a Special Olympics athlete will give you the greatest experience of feeling the purest joy of sports.

5. It can help you create a healthier lifestyle for yourself.

Special Olympics has an Inclusive Health program that is always trying new and exciting ways to stay healthy. If you are looking for a way to improve your health, you can team up with athletes and make it fun learning about healthy lifestyle changes.

6. There are opportunities to become a coach or assist with coaching.

If you want to try your hand at coaching, why not coach athletes who have the hunger and desire to play sports and need someone who is willing to teach them the skills to be the best they can be.

7. You can join a team and participate as a Unified partner.

There is no greater joy than simply playing for the love of sports with individuals who have the same desire and being accepted for who you are.

8. Best of all, by volunteering for Special Olympics, you are building lifelong friendships and creating everlasting memories you never dreamed possible.

So what are you waiting for? Click here to get involved today.