What is the mission of Special Olympics 

Florida? 

The mission of Special Olympics 

Florida is to provide year-round sports 

training and competition in a variety 

of Olympic-type sports for people 

with intellectual disabilities who wish 

to participate, giving them continuing 

opportunities to develop physical fitness, 

demonstrate courage, experience joy 

and participate in the sharing of gifts, 

skills, and friendship with their families, 

other Special Olympics athletes, and the 

community.

How many sports are supported by 

Special Olympics Florida?

Eighteen different sports and multiple 

teams per sport: Athletics, Bocce, 

Cycling, Tennis, Soccer, Volleyball, 

Equestrian, Swimming, Surfing, Golf, 

Bowling, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, 

Softball, Flag Football, Cheerleading, 

Stand Up Paddle, and Basketball. 

What are some ways that the 

organization cultivates volunteers?

I am a true believer of networking 

and am currently an ambassador of 

three different Chambers: FWB, 

Destin, and Niceville/Valparaiso. I am 

the vice president of Emerald Coast 

Public Relations, the past membership 

chairperson for the Destin Woman’s 

Club, a volunteer at Bruner Middle 

School, and a member of First Baptist 

Church of Mary Esther. I try to keep 

Special Olympics in the forefront, always 

looking for new athletes, volunteers, 

coaches, and sponsors.

Where does funding come from?

Special Olympics Florida is a not-

for-profit organization that is funded 

primarily through individual and 

corporate contributions. Each county 

is responsible for fundraising locally 

to budget for sports offered within 

their county. Special Olympics Florida 

receives no money from The Kennedy 

Foundation.

What is the most rewarding part 

of your involvement with the 

organization?

Seeing the smiles on the faces of the 

athletes and being greeted daily with 

hugs – doesn’t get better than that! 

Through sports, wellness, and athlete 

leadership training, Special Olympics 

provide a community where athletes 

have a lifelong opportunity to develop 

physically, socially, and emotionally. 

The parents, teachers, and I witness the 

athlete’s transformation from a cocoon to 

a butterfly. 

What is one thing you want readers to 

know about Special Olympics Florida?

The most common question asked is 

“When is Special Olympics?”  Special 

Olympics is not one event, we are 365 

days. We have 18 sports with training and 

competition throughout the year.

Special Olympics Florida is made up 

of one humbling paid position as the 

county director and the rest involved 

are volunteers; with no other paid staff 

in the county.  volunteers are vital 

and are the backbone of the Special 

Olympics movement enabling Special 

Olympics to offer sports training and 

competition on a worldwide basis. 

Special Olympics would not exist today 

without the time, energy, dedication, 

and commitment of volunteers. We are 

always in need of year-round, and day-

of volunteers. Commitment of time for 

volunteers ranges to fill a variety of roles: 

sports training/management, sports 

competition, administration, families/

athlete outreach, finance/fundraising, 

office support, public information, and 

promotion/social media and website. We 

need YOU!

Interview with Pamela Sparks, Okaloosa County Director 

Special Olympics Florida

The ultimate objective of Special Olympics Florida is to help people 

with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected 

members of society at large.

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