Special Olympics Virginia

SOVA

The PIA Special Olympics Committee has helped SOVA to reach its goal of helping to bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens.

As of 2019, PIA VA/DC is responsible for contributions of $450,650 (over 31 years) to Special Olympics of Virginia and is the second oldest sustaining contributor to the organization.  Since 1983, PIA VA/DC, through its Special Olympics Committee, has maintained a continuous funding relationship with this year-round international program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics Virginia is the state program of Special Olympics Incorporated.

PIA VA/DC presented Special Olympics Virginia with an $11,500+ contribution at our 83rd Annual Convention & Trade Fair, June 2019 in Virginia Beach.

All PIA members are invited to participate in Special Olympics Committee activities throughout the year:

  • annual corn hole tournament
  • series of bowl-a-thons
  • annual Special Olympics golf tournament
  • artist print raffles at PIA Convention
  • Special Olympics Bingo
  • silent auctions
  • flower sales and
  • community chest nights at Richmond restaurants

A 1995 Yale University study proved that  Special Olympics athletes do better at school, work and home than non participating peers.  SOVA calls it "Training for Life" - providing persons with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to become physically fit, develop cooperation and social skills, and increase their self-esteem, all while competing in an Olympics-type sports program.

PIA VA/DC also volunteered the last few years at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Richmond, VA.

2023 Summer Games

Many thanks to the 2023 Summer Games volunteer t-shirt sponsors:

  • Brown's Insurance Agency
  • Springer Insurance
  • Wilson, Timmons & Wallerstein Insurance

2022 Cornhole Tournament

A total of 21 two-person teams competed on Thursday afternoon, June 30 oceanside in the annual PIAVADC Cornhole Tournament benefiting Special Olympics Virginia.

First Place:

  • Bill Desko (Penn National Insurance)
  • Tom Ennis (Liberty Mutual Mid-Atlantic)

Second Place:

  • Jeff Brown (Brown's Insurance Agency, Inc.)
  • Tom Garcia (MMG Insurance)