A Note from Nate Garland, Interim CEO
A Note from Nate Garland, Interim CEO
Dear Friends,
I’m honored to step into the role of Interim CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and to serve alongside this incredible community.
For more than 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of this movement—as a Unified partner, coach, program leader, and for 20 years a senior leader in two states overseeing both fundraising and sports & competition. What continues to inspire me every day is simple: the courage of our athletes, the dedication of our volunteers, and the belief that inclusion makes our communities stronger.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to reflect on what makes Special Olympics Pennsylvania so special. At our core, we are a community-powered movement. Our impact doesn’t happen from the top down—it happens because of local volunteers and families who step forward, build teams, support athletes, and create opportunities where none existed before.
That’s why one of our most important priorities moving forward is both growing our presence in communities across Pennsylvania—especially in places where Special Olympics programming doesn’t yet exist—and bringing our entire movement closer together as one unified community. We know there are thousands of athletes still waiting for an opportunity to participate, compete, and belong. Reaching them—and supporting one another along the way—will take all of us.
You’ll hear me talk often about strengthening the support around our athletes—how we bring together coaches, volunteers, families, schools, law enforcement, and partners to create meaningful opportunities. When that support is strong, it fuels growth, deepens connection, and ensures that every athlete has a high-quality experience.
I am incredibly optimistic about what lies ahead. We have momentum, we have purpose, and most importantly, we have each other.
Thank you for all you do to make this movement possible. I look forward to building what’s next—together.
It’s a privilege,
Nate Garland
Interim CEO
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Jersey Mike's Month of Giving!
Jersey Mike's x Special Olympics Month (and Day!) of Giving
This March 2026 is Jersey Mike’s 16th Annual Month of Giving, and Special Olympics will join forces with our customers to raise money for a great cause. We are proud to say that since Month of Giving launched nationally, Jersey Mike’s franchises and team members throughout the country, supported by our generous customers, have raised more than $143 million for local charities.
This coming year, for the second time, Jersey Mike’s owners and operators are excited to unite to support a single cause during Month of Giving: 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and Team Pennsylvania.
During the month of March, customers can make a donation at any Jersey Mike’s restaurant to help athletes attend the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The Month of Giving campaign will culminate with Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” on Wednesday, March 25, when local Jersey Mike’s restaurants will give 100 percent of the day’s sales to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and the local state Programs attending the USA Games.
To visit the Jersey Mike’s store nearest you, follow this link and be sure to stop in on March 25 (or any time this month) to support Team Pennsylvania!
Gratitude. Joy. Humility.
From the Desk of the CEO: March 2026
Gratitude. Joy. Humility.
As I reflect on my 17 years with SOPA, my heart is full.
I am grateful to the SOPA Board of Directors for allowing me to lead this incredible organization for nearly two decades. I am grateful to our SOPA staff team, a team of professionals who pour their hearts and souls into a mission that is much more than a job. I am grateful to the many donors – corporations, foundations, government entities, and individuals – who have provided the resources to enable us to grow and thrive. And, I am grateful to the athletes, volunteers, and family members who make up the “SOPA family.”
To our coaches, you have inspired me with your incredible dedication and selflessness. Volunteers are amazing, and Special Olympics has the most amazing volunteers I’ve ever encountered!
To our athletes, you have filled me with JOY! In a world that can often feel dark and hopeless, we need the light of Special Olympics athletes more than ever. Keep shining and keep inspiring us all!
Finally, as I look ahead, I am humbled to have the opportunity to step into a new position with Special Olympics International. I will take with me into this role all of the many wonderful memories and lessons you have taught me over the years.
Thank you all – and the best is yet to come!
- Matthew B. Aaron
Pittsburgh Polar Plunge Raises Record-Breaking $1 Million
(Pittsburgh, PA – February 27, 2024) - Special Olympics Three Rivers Region has announced that the 14th annual Pittsburgh Polar Plunge shattered its original fundraising goal of $750,000 over the weekend raising a staggering $1,075,901, an increase of nearly 50% over last year’s totals. This marks the first time in history Special Olympics Pennsylvania has raised more than a million dollars in a single fundraiser.
More than 4,300 plungers from local schools, community groups and corporations were “freezin’ for a reason” as they plunged into frigid waters outside of Acrisure Stadium (February 23-24) and at Station Square (Feb 2) to raise funds in support of the region’s more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes.
“Pittsburgh continues to show up in huge ways for Special Olympics athletes in our community,” said Andrew Fee, Executive Director for Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Three Rivers Region. “This incredible milestone will help us increase our impact in the community by getting more individuals with intellectual disabilities engaged with our life-changing programming. Because of this historic achievement, we will be able grow the number of schools involved with Special Olympics as well as offer more sports, health, and leadership opportunities – at no charge – to athletes around our region.”
The Polar Plunge events kicked off February 2 with the Super Plunge at Station Square and continued over the past weekend at Acrisure Stadium. Additionally, nearly 2,000 students from around the region participated in the Cool Schools plunge Friday morning and local corporations raised over $100,000 on Friday evening at a happy hour plunge hosted by Pittsburgh Brewing Co. and sponsored by Calgon Carbon. More than 60 corporate sponsors partnered with Special Olympics to make this year’s event possible.
The annual Polar Plunge fundraiser helps to support the local region’s quality training and competitions in 24 sports, leadership training, and health initiatives for Special Olympics athletes throughout the year.
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For more information about how you can join “The Inclusion Revolution,” visit www.specialolympicspa.org.
2023 Philadelphia Insurance Companies Valor Award Winner: Michael Paulinski
Each year during Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Fall Festival, the Philadelphia Insurance Companies Valor Award is given to an athlete whose effort, determination and sportsmanship embodies the power of the human spirit to overcome challenges and inspire greatness.
We are proud and honored to announce that MICHAEL PAULINSKI from Montgomery County is our 2023 Valor Award Winner!
Michael has been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 30 years, participating in volleyball (his favorite sport), basketball, swimming and powerlifting. Additionally, Michael is a trained Global Messenger and an amazing advocate for the disability community.
While Michael may not be an all-star athlete his coach, Kerry Leraris, says he always lends his support to the team -- through both his words and actions. From carrying uniform and medical bags, to clearing lunch trays for his teammates, to high-fiving everyone throughout a match, Michael is always eager to assist.
Both Michael’s mother (Cathy) and father (Joe) were heavily involved as volunteers with Special Olympics. Unfortunately, Michael’s mother passed away in 2007 and his father passed away this September. Joe was Michael’s best friend. Following Joe’s passing, Michael called all of his teammates and coaches individually to relay the news, further exemplifying what a family atmosphere he and his Montgomery County teammates and coaches have cultivated. Michael then worked with his sister to ensure that Joe’s funeral service didn’t conflict with a volleyball tournament the team was scheduled to participate in. During that tournament, Michael played two of the best games of his life in honor of his father.
Michael Paulinski truly exemplifies what it means to be a Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete. Please help us congratulate him on this incredible honor! CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL!! 🤩🏆🎉
