Special Olympics South Dakota Newsletter

August 12 2025

Attention Please: Important Update Regarding Event Programs

NOTE: Programs are

subject to change

All efforts will also be made to include your programs in Newsworthy the Tuesday before the event so you also have the option to download and print.

This change will take some time to get used to…. we hope you give it a chance!

Thank You First Tee

Athletes had another fun summer honing their golf skills under the direction of First Tee-South Dakota (Sioux Falls). This has been the third summer that Special Olympics athletes have participated in this free program.

First Tee-South Dakota improves the lives of young people by providing educational programs and learning environments that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

Thank you Chantel Brende and all of the program instructors. Watch for the 2026 program information to be launched next spring.

Important Update: We’re Moving to a New App!

The SO Fit Now app will no longer be accessible as of September 1st, 2025.

We’re excited to introduce the all‑new Special Olympics Fitness App, featuring improved trackers, goal setting, and new ways to stay active with your community.

Transition today! Keep tracking your activity, earn badges, and set goals—switch to the new app now:

SE Area Bocce

August 17th

Sioux Falls

SE Area Softball

August 16th

Sioux Falls

You can support Sioux Falls’ brand-new delegation, the Sioux Falls Bulldogs, and Special Olympics South Dakota, and you could WIN a set of boards decked out in your favorite school colors!

You can purchase your tickets by clicking the button below for the boards you’d like to win!

Strange But True Health Tip #5: Skip energy drinks when you’re tired

Energy drinks contain up to five times more caffeine than coffee, but the boost they provide doesn’t last long and comes with unpleasant side effects like nervousness, irritability, and rapid heartbeat. Plus, energy drinks often contain high levels of taurine, a central nervous system stimulant, and upwards of 50 grams of sugar per can (that’s 13 teaspoons worth!). The sweet stuff spikes blood sugar temporarily, only to crash soon after, leaving you sluggish and foggy in the head.

In other words, energy drinks will cause you to gain weight and will make you feel more tired than you were before you drank it.

109 TOTAL CHANCES TO WIN!

GRAND PRIZE: $1,000

(Have the highest accumulated score at the end of 18 weeks to win!)

Weeks 1-18

Highest Team Total | $200

Second Highest | $100

Third Highest | $80

Fourth Highest | $60

Fifth Highest | $50

Lowest Team Total | $20

Total awarded each week | $510

Pigskin Madness Rules

1. This ticket is unique and valid for 18 weeks of the regular professional football season.
2. Each week, four (4) team scores are added together to determine the winners.
3. If there is a tie, prizes will be combined and split equally between the winners.
4. If a team does not play in a given week, including bye weeks, their score from the previous week will be used.
5. Winners will be contacted by Special Olympics South Dakota staff via phone and will receive their prize money shortly after.
6. Tickets are sold at random and not available for review until purchased.
7. Decisions of Special Olympics South Dakota are final.
8. Ticket holders do not need to know anything about football or keep track of weekly scores.

22nd Annual Truck Convoy for Special Olympics South Dakota

Friday, September 19

Saturday, September 20

W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

100 N Lyon Blvd

Sioux Falls, SD 57107

Google Maps

Please join us for the 22nd Annual Truck Convoy for Special Olympics South Dakota to celebrate the trucking industry, partners, and law enforcement working together to raise funds for Special Olympics South Dakota.

ATTENTION ATHLETES… Special Olympics North America Athlete Input Survey

As Special Olympics approaches its 60th anniversary, it’s extremely important for leaders at all levels of the movement to understand what our athletes enjoy most about the movement and where we need to make even more progress on and off the field.

To help gather this information and feedback, Special Olympics North America has created a survey to gather athlete feedback. 

This survey should only take a few minutes and responses will only be seen by Athlete Leadership staff from Special Olympics North America. Your name will not be tied to your responses, so please be honest and do not hold back. There are no right or wrong answers!

Click Here

Share your experiences with navigating living options for adults with IDDs.

Click to learn more