Special Olympics Oregon Continues Rebuilding and Fundraising Including Polar Plunge

Portland, OR. The Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) state office has moved to donated space at 419 NE 10th Ave. It’s one of several steps the local nonprofit is taking to regain its financial footing. Leaders are reaching out to athletes and their families asking for patience. “While SOOR is rebuilding a sustainable organization… we had to make the difficult, but responsible decision to temporarily suspend regional and state competitions.” According to the most recent financial statements for Special Olympics Oregon:

The Organization is undertaking significant actions designed to return the Organization to profitability and to generate positive cash flows to fund its operations. Under new management as of June 1, 2018, the Organization has executed on dramatic cost reductions including staff downsizing, moving to donated office space, and pausing in mission delivery at the local, regional and state level, including the Summer and Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 State Games. The Organization has secured interim donation-based funding to assist in the debt restructuring and fundraising efforts. 

The annual Polar Plunge is still happening this year and sign up is open. Program organizers encourage participation: “Our mission continues to live in communities across the state as our athletes train and engage with their friends and teammates, which is being funded through locally-raised dollars. Your participation and fundraising for Polar Plunge directly impacts athlete experiences at this local level, as $25 from every plunger goes directly to the Local Program in the plunger’s community.”