Jane Ollis of Columbus has been named the new coordinator for Special Olympics Polk County effective immediately, according to SONC President/CEO Keith L. Fishburne.

In this volunteer position, Ollis will manage a volunteer committee that carries out Special Olympics activities within Polk County and helps provide sports training, competition opportunities and health and wellness initiatives for children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. Under Ollis’ leadership, the committee will recruit, train and manage local volunteers and work to increase athlete participation.

Ollis is currently employed by Polk County Schools as an exceptional children’s teacher. She previously volunteered with Special Olympics Henderson County and Special Olympics South Carolina.

To get involved in Special Olympics in Polk County, Ollis can be reached at polk@sonc.net.

Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition for nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. SONC offers Olympic-type competition in 19 sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities.

Visit Special Olympics North Carolina at www.sonc.net.

– submitted by Rachel McQuiston