Be a part of the 2025 State Summer Games

The Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games returns to the campus of Central Michigan University May 29-31.

This year marks Special Olympics Michigan’s 51^st in-person Games at CMU, which brings more than 2,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities to Mt. Pleasant each year. The success of the Games relies heavily on support from volunteers and donors across the CMU community.

Volunteer positions are needed all three days to help at athletic competitions, special events, opening and closing ceremonies and Healthy Athletes, where SOMI athletes receive free health screenings. A complete list of volunteer opportunities and a sign-up link are available on the SOMI volunteer registration site.

For decades, CMU employees have supported SOMI athletes financially through the Sponsor an Athlete campaign. CMU employees can make a one-time or recurring online donation through SOMI’s Classy platform, or by easily filling out the automatic payroll deduction form. For just $60, you can provide a life-changing experience for a Special Olympics Michigan athlete at the State Summer Games.

CMU and Special Olympics Michigan have had a longstanding partnership since 1972 when SOMI moved its headquarters to campus. Three years later, in 1975, CMU hosted the fourth International Special Olympics Games, which saw 750 faculty, staff, students and community members volunteer.

To learn more about Special Olympics Michigan and its mission to provide year-round sports training, athletic competition and health programming for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, visit somi.org.