Through the power and joy of sport, we focus on and appreciate all that our athletes can do. When that happens, attention to their disabilities fades away. They become more involved in their communities, and they explore new ways to show who they really are – Special Olympics Oregon.
The City of Rockaway Beach at Lake Lytle hosted more than 75 individuals, families, and community members to the First Annual Special Olympics Oregon – Tillamook County Polar Plunge on Saturday February 28, 2026. With the bonfire rolling and the Rockaway Beach Fire & Rescue on site to oversee safety, nearly 30 went in to brave the cold water to help raise funds for local sports programs that include people with and without intellectual disabilities.
Mayor Charles McNeilly from the City of Rockaway Beach, along with program Coordinators Carlotta Roddy and Stephanie Gomez, welcomed everyone which included Mayors Kathryn Stock, Manzanita, Phil Chick, Nehalem, Denise Donohue, Wheeler, and Liane Welch, Bay City along with many Special Olympics athletes, their supporters, and families. The Neah-Kah-Nie School District National Honor Society students were on site to support by helping set-up and to keep the fires burning. Together the community raised over $10,000 to support our Local Program here in Tillamook County. These funds are used to cover costs for things such as trips to State Games, equipment, food, and other incidentals that come with organizing sports within the community.
Tillamook County is a leader in their work providing Unified Special Olympics that allows athletes eight years to adulthood with and without disability to play alongside one another with Special Olympics Oregon. Please join the local program, they need coaches, participants, and a support system. Unified sports offer opportunities to gain mutual respect and understanding. Mayor Phil Chick of Nehalem says, “Special Olympics gives the community an opportunity to unite and gives athletes skills, self-confidence, and respect, that come with playing together.”
Local Special Olympics Oregon athlete, Analynn spoke from the heart, “What Special Olympics means to me is about making friendships, building confidence, it teaches me how to be brave and try harder, everyone is included, all ages and abilities, we all learn and have fun!”
It is never too late to donate or participate. There are three sport seasons per year including basketball, bowling, bocce, and cornhole, to name a few, and the fun never ends.
Thank you to everyone who supported, raised funds, and attended – and to those that plunged! Thank you to Special Olympics Oregon and LouAnne Tabada for the ongoing support.
We hope to see you all again next year…bring a friend!
For more information, go here: https://soor.org/
For Tillamook County information, go here: https://soor.org/tillamook
To donate to the Polar Plunge: https://support.soor.org/team/782951