Breaking boundaries for equality—that’s the goal of the Special Olympics Southwest Regional Basketball Tournament.

The event raises money to benefit the athletes and programs of Special Olympics Virginia.

Athletes from all over Southwest Virginia traveled to Cassell Coliseum today to compete in the Special Olympics VA regional basketball tournament.

'Healthy Athletes' offers free health screenings and education at Special Olympics events, and can be life-changing for athletes.

In a few weeks, hundreds of people from across Southwest Virginia will willingly jump into the New River in Radford in February in support of Special Olympics Virginia.

The annual Special Olympics "Little Feet Meet' brings together athletes of all abilities to celebrate inclusiveness, the joy of movement, and the thrill of competition.

In less than three weeks, the 10 News team and people from across Southwest Virginia will willingly take an icy dip into the New River for the annual Polar Plunge.

The annual New River Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics returns to Bisset Park in Radford for the 2022 event, after the 2021 event was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday was a day to celebrate the spirit of competition and inclusion as the Special Olympics Big Feet Meet returned to William Fleming High School in Roanoke.

DALEVILLE, Va. – Saturday marked another successful polar plunge benefitting Special Olympics Virginia. The scenery was a little different for this year’s Polar Plunge but the cause was the same. “We were freezin’ for a reason,” WSLS 10 News team co-captain and anchor Brittny McGraw said. “You can’t ask for a more worthy organization than the Special Olympics of Virginia,” Haniewich said. Thanks to your generous donations, the 10 News team also exceeded its goal, raising $6,650.

ROANOKE, Va. – In less than a month, individuals and teams from across Virginia will take part in the 2021 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia, but with a twist. Instead, people get to “plunge their way” and decide how they want to take the plunge. Money raised by the event supports Special Olympics’ mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As a proud sponsor, WSLS 10 is participating and raising money to help Special Olympics. Special Olympics Virginia is planning a week of Polar Plunge activities starting February 1 and ending with a virtual celebration on February 6.

The annual event raises money to support the athletes and mission of Special Olympics Virginia. The upcoming plunge will look different because of the pandemic, as participants get to plunge their way. “We are looking for a hot tub to do it,” said Joey Wheeler, an Area 9 Special Olympics athlete. Special Olympics knows, no matter how participants plunge, it will make a big splash in the lives of their athletes and volunteers. Click here for more information on the 2021 Polar Plunge and how to get involved.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – More than 200 teams across the Commonwealth have signed up to take the Polar Plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. The annual Polar Plunge supports the programs and mission of Special Olympics, which works to provide year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes and volunteers have turned to virtual events and individual fitness challenges to stay together despite being physically apart. “If we don’t keep our athletes and volunteers together, those connections will come apart, so that’s a lot of what we’ve been trying to work on,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director for Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics athletes and volunteers have enjoyed virtual dance parties, Halloween-themed get-togethers and socially-distanced fitness competitions to stay connected during the pandemic.

Due to COVID-19, Special Olympics Virginia can’t hold an in-person event, so in 2021, everyone can take the plunge into their own hands. “The really important thing this year, we feel, is that we keep our athletes and families and volunteers engaged," said Nancy Morehouse, the director of the southwest region for Special Olympics Virginia. The Polar Plunge is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser to support its more than 23,000 athletes. In total, the plunge raised $61,000 in Southwest Virginia and about $1.5 million statewide. We’re just going let everybody decide how they’re going to do the plunge," said Morehouse.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – An important basketball game happened at Virginia Tech’s Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, but the Hokies never touched the court. Rather, Special Olympics Virginia’s Southwest Region basketball tournament attracted 25 teams around the region to Blacksburg. “Out of all of the places they play, Tech is their favorite place,” said April Alley, who coaches Pulaski County’s Special Olympics basketball team. “They love it.”Although Virginia Tech’s basketball team gave up the Cassell Coliseum court to the Special Olympics athletes, Hokie basketball players watched from the sidelines and cheerleaders helped the athletes make a glamorous entrance into the arena. The tournament kicks off a significant month for Special Olympics Virginia.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of people are eagerly awaiting the chance to take an icy dip into the New River next month, as a part of this year’s New River Polar Plunge. “It gets really exciting, especially if there’s snow on the river bank,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director of Special Olympics Virginia. 10 News is excited to partner with Special Olympics Virginia to support the Polar Plunge, which is the main fundraiser for Special Olympics programming in southwest Virginia. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford. You can help support Special Olympics' mission by making a donation to this year's Polar Plunge or signing up to take the Plunge.

ROANOKE, Va. - More than 400 athletes came together on an equal playing field Tuesday for the Special Olympics Big Feet Meet. The annual track and field event brought middle and high school students and adult athletes from 35 schools and community programs to William Fleming High School. "They are the protagonists of this event and it makes them feel very special so it means the world for them and for us as parents," said Surmy Rojas, a student athlete's mother. "It shows that we're all champions in our own ways regardless of our differences," said Kylee Mycock, an adaptive special education teacher at William Fleming High School. William Fleming High School also received national recognition for excellence in creating an inclusive school community.