Special Olympics South Dakota Newsletter

July 21 2026

Thanks For Everything, Michelle!

Michelle Paulsen spent her last day at SOSD on July 7, 2026. Her husband, Tim, is retiring from the Sioux Falls Police Department and they are relocating to the warmer confines of Cape Coral, Florida. Michelle has accepted a position as an Instructor at Good Days Adolescence Special Needs Center, working with people 8 – 22 with autism and other developmental differences. Before she left, I had the pleasure of chatting and reminiscing with Michelle about her time volunteering and working for SOSD.

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Last Chance to Register for the Heroes Pull This Saturday!

The Heroes Pull is this Saturday at the Unify Center in Sioux Falls, and there’s still time to register your team!

This is your last chance to sign up and join us for an unforgettable day. Teams of up to 10 people will compete to see who can pull a Minnehaha County SWAT BearCat and a Sioux Falls Fire Rescue fire truck the fastest.

Don’t have a full team of 10? No problem! Register anyway, and we’ll help fill out your team with local law enforcement and Special Olympics Athletes.

While you wait to pull, there are other things to enjoy:

Tour first responder vehicles
Bounce houses and activities for kids
Grab lunch from Hy-Vee Grill
Get a drink from Buddies & Co.

We can’t wait to see you this Saturday!

Miss any of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games?

The Review Show airs this Saturday, July 25 from 10a-11a MT / 11a-12p CT on ABC, ESPN+, and Disney+; it’s your chance to relive a landmark week of Special Olympics competition and inclusion in Minneapolis!

16th Annual Hack N’ Smack Golf Tournament

Friday, August 7

Great Life – Rocky Run Golf Course

Dell Rapids

$125 per person ($500 per team)

We welcome any golfers, whether you consider yourself a “pro” or someone who enjoys hanging out in the cart.

3 Flight Winners
Hole Prizes
$10,000 Hole-in-One Challenge
Closest to the Pin Prizes
Free food and beverages
Event T-Shirt
Goodie Bag

We Have More Tents To Give Away!

Thanks to the generosity of the folks at Catfish Bay, we have several gently used 4-person tents to give away to Athletes.

Tents will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay!

You will be notified by email if you are a winner.

You must either pick up from the State Office or contact Johna at jthum@sosd.org to see if an alternative delivery option can be arranged.
Tents will not be mailed.
If it is not picked up within 30 days, we will redistribute the tent.

Email Johna to reserve

It’s a week late, but I’m proud to present our overall Top 10 movers!

Participants were required to report steps a minimum of 5 of 8 weeks of the Challenge to qualify for the Final Leader Board.

We also included participants from the USA Games Step Challenge who used the SO Fitness App to track steps.

Although the Challenge has finished, I challenge you to keep moving and to live your best, healthiest life.

Nick Mills, Health Messenger

You can also click HERE to purchase your Pigskin Tickets

Unified Workout Sign Up

INFO LIBRARY

START YOUR SPECIAL OLYMPICS JOURNEY HERE

If you are new to Special Olympics South Dakota and looking for a Delegation,

or if you are interested in changing your Delegation, Click Here to get started!

This link can also be found on the SOSD website.

2026

Dance Themes

The Accessible IEP, LLC is a company dedicated to assisting families with navigating the world of Special Education.

Click Here to learn more.

Athlete Sport Handbooks

Equestrian

Bocce

Softball

Click Here for Website

Our mission is to strengthen our community through social programming for both families of a child with a disability as well as individuals with disabilities themselves.

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