For lifelong athletes, running the Boston Marathon can be seen as a “bucket list” item. But how can someone run the Marathon if they aren’t selected as a Boston Marathon qualifier? Special Olympics Massachusetts offers runners the opportunity to join its Xtra Mile Team, and run the Marathon as a member of a community dedicated to inclusion. Meet Brigid Knowles, a 21-year-old student at Boston College, who ran the 2022 Boston Marathon as part of the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Marathon Team. “I have been an avid runner my whole life and really enjoy doing it, so always…

By: Ali Phaneuf Running a full 26-mile marathon might seem daunting to most people; but have you ever considered running one mile every hour for 24 hours? First inspired by a trend they saw on TikTok, high schoolers Emma Gavin and Rhiya Fisher decided not only to attempt the challenge, but they turned it into a fundraising opportunity for Special Olympics Massachusetts. Why fundraise? And more importantly, why fundraise for Special Olympics MA? Emma and Rhiya have previously participated in Whiffles, a baseball program in Norwood for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Emma explained that one of their friends Gus,…

Kicking off the holiday season, people all across Massachusetts showed their generosity, helping to raise $250,000 for Special Olympics Massachusetts at 7 events across the Commonwealth! The first weekend in December was a successful fundraising weekend for Special Olympics Massachusetts. On Saturday December 1, Pittsfield kicked off their 9th annual Cop on Top Fundraiser at the Pittsfield Walmart, raising $30,200 in just one day! They followed that up with another $15,000 on a chilly, wet Sunday for a grand total of $45,000. Chicopee also held a Cop on Top event on Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and…

By: Kate Dyer In July, my 12 year old daughter Sariah and I decided to participate in Over the Edge for Special Olympics. Initially I was rather apprehensive about the event. Not because Sariah and I would be rappelling off the roof of a 22-story building in Boston. Although my husband and son were not exactly excited about the idea. But rather, because I have always been intimidated by fundraising. Special Olympics has been important to me for most of my adult life. It offers so much to everyone involved. The Special Olympics athletes get to experience some independence…

Kate Dyer has been involved with Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) since 1997, first as a coach and Unified Partner, and now as a parent to both a Unified Partner and an athlete. This July, Kate Dyer will add a new title to her lengthy SOMA resume, Fundraiser, as she goes Over the Edge in support of the organization to which she is so deeply connected. SOMA sat down with Kate to discuss her history with the sports organization, her decision to fundraise, and the value in raising her children within the organization. SOMA: Tell me a little about your…

By Theresa Gaffney If you ask Tracey Sheak how she got involved with Over the Edge for Special Olympics, she’ll laugh, and tell you how she was quite literally “roped” into it. Working at a law firm in Connecticut, Sheak travels often for work.  For two years in a row, she participated in the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts Golf Tournament, sponsoring a group of firefighters.  It was here that she met Boston Firefighters John Sarro and Bob Petti.  When they brought up an annual fundraiser they did for Special Olympics Massachusetts, Sheak was immediately interested.  She had always thought…