March 12, 2025 • 26 mins
Aired Sunday, March 9, 2025. Lisa Foxx talks to Kelly Pond, CEO of Special Olympics Southern California, about all the ways their programs help people with intellectual disabilities thrive! They talk all things sports activities and competitions, health and wellness programs, their upcoming fundraisers and police officer Torch Run.
Special Olympics Southern California offers 13 sports across 4 seasons, serving thousands of athletes in community and school-based programs in 11 counties. It also offers opportunities for athletes to improve their overall health and wellness, gain leadership skills and much more. These programs are supported by a passionate community including more than 50 employees, thousands of volunteers, SOSC’s valued partners and donors, and the community at large.
Special Olympics Southern California offers 13 sports across 4 seasons, serving thousands of athletes in community and school-based programs in 11 counties. It also offers opportunities for athletes to improve their overall health and wellness, gain leadership skills and much more. These programs are supported by a passionate community including more than 50 employees, thousands of volunteers, SOSC’s valued partners and donors, and the community at large.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Lisa Fox here high It's the iHeart So Cal Show.
It's our show that puts a spotlight on charitable organizations,
nonprofits and people giving back and boy to, we're friends
at Special Olympics. Special Olympics Southern California. They get back
big time, year round more than ten thousand plus special
needs athletes and their families. They just launch their biggest
annual fundraiser, their Dream Big Raffle. You've probably heard about
(00:21):
it on the radio and see it on TV. And
my gosh, so exciting. A chance to just buy one
ticket that gets you into win and by the way,
the odds are off the charts, so good odds for
you to win luxury vacations, luxury cars, jewelry, really cool
tech items and oh yeah, the grand prize of a
brand new custom built mansion in Calabasas. Uh huh it
(00:42):
all it could be yours when you purchase one Dream
Big Raffle ticket. There's spring sports competitions are also underway
lead up to the Summer Games in June and Long
Beach they've got these really cool positive programs happening. It's
their unified sports programs happening in conjunction with many public
schools across multiple counties that we'll discuss. And now they're
continued very busy event calendar schedule. They have their annual
(01:05):
law enforcement Torch run and tip a Cop fund raisers
having at restaurants all month long, so it's seven all
of it with their CEO, Kelly Pond.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Hi, Kelly, Hi, Lisa, thank you so much for having
me and also just hearing you lift off all the
so festing that we have going on just reminds me
of also how well you know us, what a long
time frame you've been of special Olympigs and just want
to express our genuine appreciation to you for all your support.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Thank you, and you know I try not get upset,
but you know, the irony of every year I have
you on the radio to promote this a dream big
raffle and the dreaming big of it is so wonderful,
all the prizes you could win and raising all this
money for our special athletes. But then this year, the
irony after the fires that it's you know, this dream home.
(01:58):
I swear Eric and I went this dream home in Calabasas.
We won't take the money, we will take the house
and probably grab a bunch of our neighbors from the
Palisades and just to move in. You know, it's a
beautiful home. My gosh, it's stunning, this Mediterranean masterpiece, just
in the giddy community right the Oaks and Calabasas, five bedroom,
seven bathroom, sixty eight hundred square feet, gorgeous. Pull out
(02:21):
your kitchen, I mean a music room. Look at the
pictures on the website, so cal Raffle dot com, so
cal Raffle dot com. But yeah, the irony of giving
away a beautiful new home after so many people, so
many loss theres, you know, so an even bigger reason
to buy a ticket to try to win this thing.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh, thank you, Thank you, Lisan. Also, let me just
say our hearts and prayers go out to you and
Eric and the whole community affected by the fires, and
I just so appreciate how you're continuing to keep the
(03:00):
impact that it's had on so many people on top
of mind. And also thank you for talking about how
this is something that not only helps us provide free
and critical programming to individuals with intellectual disabilities, but also
gives anyone in the community a chance to either win
(03:24):
a dream home or twenty eight hundred different prices include cash, vehicles, vacations.
I mean, there's a one in twenty five chance of
winning something, and so there's so much opportunity around the Raffle.
And as you said, it is Special Big Southern California's
(03:46):
largest fundraiser of the year. All of our programs are
free to the athletes and their families, and we want
to continue being able to provide that critical programming to
our athletes, and so supporters of the Dream Big Raffle
do help make our programs possible for individuals across Southern California.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Yeah, and Kelly, I mean it's a big region, So
remind folks, I mean how big special and book Southern California.
It's a huge region. And these are thousands of athletes
who come from all over. And let me just say
as a girl who has a cousin with special needs,
Michael doesn't compete anymore. He's a little older now, but
boy he did when he was younger and just having
someone to look forward to, having his group of friends
(04:27):
and having the physicality of like the working out and
the programs and you know, finding whatever, you know, a
sport he wanted to excel in and compete in. It
just means so much too for everyone involved and to
see the families are so proud to see people that
they love be so happy and have someone to focus
on look forward to. So it's just such a great
(04:47):
thing for everyone involved with Special Olympics. But it's a
lot of people because your region is massive. It's not
just La County, it's many counties.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, so I love what you spoke about on Michael
in his participation. You know, we look at some people
might think of you know, Special Olympics as you know,
affiliated with the Olympics where it's like every you know,
four years and actually, you know Special Olympics. We like
to say it transforms lives through the power of sport,
(05:19):
both with people with and without intellectual disabilities. So we
have our Speciallympics athletes and you know, they're seeing improved health,
improved sense of belonging, improve self confidence, They're twice as
likely to live independently or be employed. And then you
(05:40):
have all of us, the volunteers and families whose lives
are changed because connecting with and celebrating our athletes' abilities
opens our hearts and minds to acceptance and inclusion. So
Special indexes, you know, so so much more than I
think what people might understand it to be. And then
(06:03):
when you're talking about the footprint, we serve from as
far north as San Luis Obispo all the way down
to San Diego, and there's actually nearly half a million
people with intellectual disabilities across southern California. Right now, we're
serving just over ten thousand individuals, and so there's lots
(06:29):
of opportunity for growth. And then we have you mentioned
it in your intro that we have our unified programs
and that's where people with and without intellectual disabilities participate
and compete together. And so we partner with a lot
of the schools. The students are the ones that are
(06:50):
initiating and implementing these unified programs, and what they're finding is.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Kelly, this is like LA unified schools, Like this is
like every regular, normal, everyday local public schools.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Right, That's right. Are so right now where we work
with about three hundred and fifty schools and there's over
five thousand in our footprint, so lots of opportunity to
spread this program. But for the schools that are implementing
the unified Champion School program, they see an eighty seven
percent reduction in bullying. Oh. I love that students that
(07:21):
participate they say, you know, the Unified class is their
favorite place to be on campus because it's the one
place where they're not judged for being who they are. Yeah,
they're just supported well.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
And I like to think too, Kelly that like, as
a person who I always played sports, I like to
think that, you know, it just kind of breaks down
a little bit of the fear barrier. I think people
might have a lot of fear of the unknown, or
fear of how to be around a person with the
you know, that's different playing sports together. You know, I
love going to the Summer games in June and Long
Beach every year. And you know, our athletes are out there.
(07:56):
They can run hard, they can play hard. I mean,
they've got so much heart, just like.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
The rest of us. So you have a lot of heart.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
You love what you're doing out there competing. I feel
like we're kind of on the same playing level in
a lot of the ways. But yet, like you said,
we're both learning on each side. We're learning from each
other how to just be together and enjoy and compete
and have fun.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
That's that's exactly right. We just had our floorball championship.
Floorball is similar to floor hockey, but it just uses
a little bit of different equipment. And are some of
our staff members played some of our athletes, and I'll
tell you our staff had a lot to learn at
that game.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
So I'm gonna say, wait, can I guess who won?
The athletes win?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, yeah, they got school. Yeah that's great at school
by the athlete. I love that.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Wait, and I want to learn about floor ball. I
need to learn about this sport. Well, floor ball be
in the Summer Games this summer with the for special
Olympics where we can all.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Go and watch.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Floorball is our one winter sport that we offer right now.
So that was kind of the championship for the winter scene.
And now we are just this past weekend we kicked
off our spring sports season, and this is the sports
that our athletes can train and compete in locally now
and then through June. Where you reference the Summer Games,
(09:16):
the Summer Games is kind of like the championship competition
of the spring sports season. So we're kicking off flag football, basketball, batchy,
track and field, and swimming, and it's not too late
if there's anybody out there interested in signing up to
become an athlete, or to be a team volunteer, or
(09:39):
to volunteer at one of the competitions. We have hundreds
of competitions that take place over the course of the
year throughout all of the different communities we serve well.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
And now, as we talked about earlier, Kelly, the event calendar,
the events calendar for Special Olympics South California is very busy.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
A lot's going on with the Dream, Big Raffle.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Spring sports competitions that are underway, Summer games coming up
in June at cal State Long Beach, the Torch run
to pick cop fundraisers with the police department.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
But you mentioned earlier you know half the.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Million people here in Southern California that have special needs.
There's a half a million people with special needs and
you're serving ten thousand. Wow, that means there's so many
more that I hope know about your program. It's filled
with so much love. It's such a great curriculum too
in terms of like physicality, getting folks in shape for
(10:29):
all these competitions. But there's just so much love and
support for folks with special needs and for their families
just being involved in Special Olympics. It's it's a whole
lot of love and easy to get involved though, right
if someone's listening, if there's someone with special needs, it's
not involved in Special Olympics Southern California.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
What are you waiting for?
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Where's the best place to go to apply and find
out more, Kelly? Probably just the website, right.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yes, SOSC dot Or you could go to our website,
find our evank calendar. You can find how to become
an athlete or a volunteer. You can find how to
purchase a dream big raffle ticket, in all other ways
to support Special Olympics.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And again, there's so much that Special Olympics provides for
these athletes, not just the well that's kind of the
main part. It's the heart of Special Olympics Southern California
is competing, giving them something to love, creating a passion
for the training and the competition and all these different sports,
all the different choices, making friends, having their families be
so proud. But you know, all of this costs money,
(11:29):
and that's why the fundraising is key to cover the
costs or everything, and costs of the travel and uniforms
and equipment, and you know, we've got coaches involved in
a professional staff that helped pull all this off. So
there's all that happening. And also Kelly mentioned the health
aspect of it too. I mean the athletes benefit health
wise because you guys really go, you know, the extra
(11:51):
mile to make sure that they are healthy head to toe.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yeah. Special Olympics is actually the largest access to healthcare
for people with intellectual disabilities. We have a large network
of volunteer health practitioners that provide free health screenings for
athletes and this is where medical practitioners are learning and
understanding how to care and work with people with intellectual disabilities.
(12:16):
And so if you come out to summer games, it's
a great example where you'll see a lot of different
screenings that are available for free for our athletes or
potential athletes. So this is you can get screened for
your eyes. And we have a group the Lions Club
cuts actually donated goggles or prescription glasses for our athletes.
(12:41):
We do we have volunteer pediatrists that check feet. Surprisingly,
a number of athletes might have like the wrong size
shoe fitted, or one shoe or foot might be larger
than the other. We do healthy hearings, so we're screening
people's hearing. There's a variety of different initiative Strong Minds
(13:03):
where we're promoting and helping people manage anxiety and other
things that are connected to mental health.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
So many important ways that Speciallympics Southern California takes care
of your athletes. I love it and your your special
Olympics family and Kelly, Am I still it's still okay
to say special needs? Right?
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Am I saying that?
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Writer?
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Should I say intellectual disabilities or folks with special needs?
Speaker 3 (13:27):
That's okay to say it like that, right?
Speaker 2 (13:28):
I think that's included. Yeah, it's there's a spectrum of
different disabilities that can qualify, and special needs is one way.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Okay, I want to make sure I'm still you know,
saying the right saying the right thing special needs. It's
all encompassing because it's a variety of issues that folks
are dealing with. But what a way to bring people
together and just wonderful people behind this organization like Kelly
and including this very special relationship with police officers the LAPD.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
People have a lot to say about the LAPD.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
But boy, they put their feet to the ground and
do a lot of fundraising in terms of the Torch
Run and these tip a cop restaurant events. So we
need to patronize our local restaurants and help them out.
And if we do on certain restaurants, at certain restaurants
on certain nights, you can you know, the police officers
have a great time with this and every time you
(14:19):
are able to tip, that money goes directly to Special Olympics.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I see, like on the calendar events.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
March twelfth, there's a little event tip a cop at
Jose Alito's restaurant in Tahunga, March eighteenth, CPK and Studio
City March twenty six Marie's Italian Kitchen and Van I.
So like a huge list of events year round, especially
in the month of March. In terms of these police officers.
All the information on their website SOOSC dot org on
the events page, but talk about what happens at these
(14:48):
tip acop restaurant events.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
It's super fun.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Yeah, law enforcement is an incredible partner to Special Olympics
and our athletes. They have a really unique relationship and
they generate a lot of funds for our athletes by
doing these tip acop events and like you're saying, Lisa,
the officers go in and they help the weight staff
(15:10):
to serve all of the restaurant customers, so you know,
you might have the chief of police waiting on you.
And then any additional tips are counted as donations to
Special Olympics. When these tip a coop events are happening.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Yeah, and they're they're usually a uniform, they're there on
their time, and they're there with a smile that they're
to have a have fun. They're there to charm you
to uh, you know, get a little a bigger tip
because it all goes to a great cause. And then
the Torch Run is actual running and carrying the torch
and what an honor you can tell for these officers
and for anyone involved in the Torch Run. Talk about
these significance of that because it's so special and again
(15:46):
for the officers to do this for Special Olympics is
it's been a long running history with that as well.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Yes, the torch We talked about the footprint from stand
Elisabispo to San Diego and we have partnerships with over
three hundred different agencies across our footprint and we work
with them and they come up with a path where
they pass the torch from one city to the other.
(16:13):
Two weeks leading up to Summer Games, so officers run
alongside our athletes and families and supporters. They run through
the community holding the torch. They're carrying the flame of hope.
And it's all culminated at our Summer Games opening ceremony
where they like the cauldron to kick off the Championship Games.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Well, to have the honor of hosting the special Olympics
Summer Games in June a few summers ago in Long Beach,
and wow, when the torch run you know, ends up
there and they like the cauldron, like you said, just
to know how many hands it passed through, just to
know these police officers that the torch is just so special,
such a.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Coveted moment when the torch.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Reaches the big cauldron and people are watching, just kind
of aw knowing that the path, how long it took
to get it there, and all the fundraising involved, all
the hands that passed through, and just the significance of
the whole moment is so so cool. I encourage you
to be the Summer Games this year in June and
Long Beached to see it unfold in person. But Kelly,
(17:17):
we can kind of see the route of the Torch
Run and learn how it all works on the website
as well. Right, so we can see or find out
where the torch is going to be on certain days
at certain times. We can be there to maybe cheer
them on and be a part of it too.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Yeah, you can learn more about the route so you
can go cheer on your local athletes and law enforcement
officers running the torch at our website, so SOSC dot org.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
All right, so we got the Torch Run.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
We've got tip a Coop fundraisers happening throughout the month
of March, mostly the entire it's a very busy event
schedule at SOSC dot org. And of course one hundred
and fifty bucks you could buy one ticket, maybe you
want to buy many tickets. I would encourage you to
do so, because one in twenty five people win something
really cool and the prizes are just off the charts
for the just launched Special Olympics Southern California. Dream big, raffle,
(18:09):
and dream big, y'all, because you could win that beautiful
mansion in the Getty community of the Oaks and Calabasas. Wow,
this house, wait to see the pictures. Five bedroom, seven bathroom,
sixty eight hundred square feet, gorgeous pool, outdoor kitchen, there's
a music room. This gorgeous home is like the top
top prize. You can either take a million bucks or
the beautiful home. Then there's all these vacations and gift
(18:32):
cards and flat screen TVs and cookwear luggage. What are
we hoping to raise again this year from the Dream
Big Raffle.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
This is our sixteenth year of the Dream Big Raffle
and the average amount raised to support our athletes is
about a million and a half dollars.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
And let me just say last year when we bought
tickets for last year, last year's.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
Join and there's a lot of winners like Kelly Manchin.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
So when you go to sokel Raffle dot com, so
cal Raffle dot com, that'll take you directly to the
website with not only the it'll walk you through the
entire process and show you. It'll suck you into all
the amazing prizes up forbid. Well, when you buy a ticket,
it's what you're in to win. And like she mentioned,
luxury vacations.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
It's jewelry.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
It's incredible gadgets, right, high tech gadgets and cars, and
the prizes are so high end. You'll be so excited
at a chance to win while helping Special Olympics.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, there's over two thy eight hundred prizes. Tickets are
one hundred and fifty dollars each train to buy multi
packs for a discounted rate. And if you buy the
tickets early, you also get entered into early bird drawings.
So there's you know, all kinds of different ways to
(19:48):
earn more chances to win.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
And if you get in before this first early bird
drawing on March fourteenth, winners choose between if you win
the early bird drawing, the first one for Speciallympics out
the California, you have to choose tough. You have to
choose between a Porsche or plus twenty thousand dollars, So
a brand new Porsche McCann electric plus twenty thousand dollars.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Or one hundred thousand dollars. That's your choice. Wow, I
mean that's one of them.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
So you'll be wowed by these cars, wowed by the money,
wowed by these incredible choices. Last year, so we bought
a bunch of tickets last year, and there was a
lot of Lisas that won, sadly not Lisa Fox.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
But it's okay. I'm We're gonna try again this year.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
But to see you know you list they list talk
about honesty, Special Olympics, Southern California, Total transparency. They will
list every single winner's name and city on the website
so there's no hiding anything. They'll list every single winner
for every single prize. And I so hope it's you
this year. Like she said, one fifty a ticket, You're
so going to win. The odds of winning are tremendous,
(20:50):
like Kelly said, one in twenty five, pretty darn good.
Chances of winning something cool. And the list of all
these goodies is so fun, even just the vacations. Oh
my gosh, there's luxury bike ocass to Italy, to France,
to Canada, to Monico, to the Virgin Islands, Portugal, Singapore,
you name it. And the top top prize a million
dollars or this Mediterranean, Mediterranean masterpiece mansion in the prestigious
(21:16):
getting community of the Oaks in Calabasas. Oh, the pictures
are just stunning, you know, gorgeous views in the pool,
and all the fancy stuff, the big bathtub and all
the nice stuff, the wet bar and all this stuff.
So it's an incredible chance to of course dream about
your new dream house or just you know, dream big
in general. When you buy a one or multiple one
(21:37):
hundred fifty dollars tickets for the dream big, Raffle odds
of winning a pretty darn good one in twenty five
and these prizes are super impressive, especially that dream house.
My gosh, all the information read through the website and
just knowing hearing Kelly talk about where all this money
goes so so important for these athletes and their families
and the wonderful programs now they take care of everybody.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
It's such a big.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
Family, such sweet people who care so much about our
athletes and folks with special needs. So buy Raffle tickets,
help raise this money to help sow many and dream
big and winning that big, beautiful house in Calabasas So
cal Raffle dot com, So cal Raffle dot com for
all the info.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
I love it, and I'm on that note a.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Little shout out to you, Kelly. I love your story.
I like to mention your story every time that we
have our annual chat on the radio. I love Kelly
Pond started as a volunteer with Special Olympics forever ago
and she's now the Ceoh.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
I just love it. I mean, did you ever see
that happening when you start there as a volunteer?
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Oh? I did not. No, thank you, Lisa. I love
that you remember this, and I so appreciate your kindness
about it. I did. I started as a volunteer. The
volunteers are the backbone of our organization. I mean, we
rely on thousands of coaches that are really the ones
that are in it alongside our athletes to make our
(23:01):
programs happen. I started to a volunteer the mission just
I felt so connected and inspired by the athletes and
the mission. That was twenty five years ago, and I
just have been so grateful to be a part of
the organization ever since.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Well see, that's why you're the perfect person to be
the CEO, the perfect spokesperson for such a wonderful organization
that you love so much. Special Olympics Southern California around
since nineteen sixty eight. Special Olympics Southern California and enriches
the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities, through sports, through leadership,
through programs, through health initiatives.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Through so much heart and love.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
They provide year round free programming that promotes inclusion and
acceptance across all communities. They're close to my heart. They're
always need to volunteers. If you know of any athletes
who would love to be part of this program, anyone
with special needs or intellectual disabilities, please have them reached
out to Special Olympics Southern California. It's just such a
huge family and there's just so many benefits to being involved.
(24:04):
And don't we get to check out their very busy schedule,
The fundraisers coming up, the Torch Run with the police officers,
the tip Acop restaurant events of fundraiser events happening throughout
the month of March, the Summer Games in June at cal.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
State Long Beach.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
All that info at SOOSC dot org, so SC dot org.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
And of course the Big Dream Big Raffle.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Great chances of winning something really cool one in twenty
five chances of winning something really cool one hundred fifty
bucks per ticket or a special bundle deal. When you
buy more, it will increase your chances of winning something
really cool, right, We talked all about it. The whole
list is also on their website, so cal raffle dot com.
Luxury vacations, luxury cars, money give cards, flatscreen TVs, quickwear, luggage,
(24:48):
super cool high tech gadgets and of course I mean,
especially after these terrible fires. My gosh, how incredible that
you could win a brand new home, beautiful home in
calabases Wait.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
To ea see the picture.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
You're gonna buy tickets right away and you see the
pictures of this gorgeous Mediterranean masterpiece in Calabasas.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Get your tickets.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
All the info at sokel raffle dot com, so cal
raffle dot com.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
And again a shout out.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
To our police officers who do the Torch Run and
these tip a Hoop restaurant farm raisers.
Speaker 3 (25:18):
Every year.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
The law enforcement Torch Run is represented in all fifty states,
with over ninety seven thousand officers around the world doing this.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
They raised over a billion dollars since the whole thing
started back in nineteen eighty one, and Southern California is
one of the leading programs in the world, the most
people involved, the most money raised, and representing the largest
group over two hundred and twenty law enforcement agencies and stations.
So yeah, showing that love to Special Olympics Southern California.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
I love it booooo.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Kelly Pond, the CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. You're
the best, cal Thank you so much for all that
you and your team do and I will see you
soon for sure the Summer Games in June in Long Beach,
if not sooner.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
So yeah, thank you so much, Kelly.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Yeah all right, thanks so much. Lisa,
Lisa Fox here high It's the iHeart So Cal Show.
It's our show that puts a spotlight on charitable organizations,
nonprofits and people giving back and boy to, we're friends
at Special Olympics. Special Olympics Southern California. They get back
big time, year round more than ten thousand plus special
needs athletes and their families. They just launch their biggest
annual fundraiser, their Dream Big Raffle. You've probably heard about
(00:21):
it on the radio and see it on TV. And
my gosh, so exciting. A chance to just buy one
ticket that gets you into win and by the way,
the odds are off the charts, so good odds for
you to win luxury vacations, luxury cars, jewelry, really cool
tech items and oh yeah, the grand prize of a
brand new custom built mansion in Calabasas. Uh huh it
(00:42):
all it could be yours when you purchase one Dream
Big Raffle ticket. There's spring sports competitions are also underway
lead up to the Summer Games in June and Long
Beach they've got these really cool positive programs happening. It's
their unified sports programs happening in conjunction with many public
schools across multiple counties that we'll discuss. And now they're
continued very busy event calendar schedule. They have their annual
(01:05):
law enforcement Torch run and tip a Cop fund raisers
having at restaurants all month long, so it's seven all
of it with their CEO, Kelly Pond.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Hi, Kelly, Hi, Lisa, thank you so much for having
me and also just hearing you lift off all the
so festing that we have going on just reminds me
of also how well you know us, what a long
time frame you've been of special Olympigs and just want
to express our genuine appreciation to you for all your support.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Thank you, and you know I try not get upset,
but you know, the irony of every year I have
you on the radio to promote this a dream big
raffle and the dreaming big of it is so wonderful,
all the prizes you could win and raising all this
money for our special athletes. But then this year, the
irony after the fires that it's you know, this dream home.
(01:58):
I swear Eric and I went this dream home in Calabasas.
We won't take the money, we will take the house
and probably grab a bunch of our neighbors from the
Palisades and just to move in. You know, it's a
beautiful home. My gosh, it's stunning, this Mediterranean masterpiece, just
in the giddy community right the Oaks and Calabasas, five bedroom,
seven bathroom, sixty eight hundred square feet, gorgeous. Pull out
(02:21):
your kitchen, I mean a music room. Look at the
pictures on the website, so cal Raffle dot com, so
cal Raffle dot com. But yeah, the irony of giving
away a beautiful new home after so many people, so
many loss theres, you know, so an even bigger reason
to buy a ticket to try to win this thing.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh, thank you, Thank you, Lisan. Also, let me just
say our hearts and prayers go out to you and
Eric and the whole community affected by the fires, and
I just so appreciate how you're continuing to keep the
(03:00):
impact that it's had on so many people on top
of mind. And also thank you for talking about how
this is something that not only helps us provide free
and critical programming to individuals with intellectual disabilities, but also
gives anyone in the community a chance to either win
(03:24):
a dream home or twenty eight hundred different prices include cash, vehicles, vacations.
I mean, there's a one in twenty five chance of
winning something, and so there's so much opportunity around the Raffle.
And as you said, it is Special Big Southern California's
(03:46):
largest fundraiser of the year. All of our programs are
free to the athletes and their families, and we want
to continue being able to provide that critical programming to
our athletes, and so supporters of the Dream Big Raffle
do help make our programs possible for individuals across Southern California.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Yeah, and Kelly, I mean it's a big region, So
remind folks, I mean how big special and book Southern California.
It's a huge region. And these are thousands of athletes
who come from all over. And let me just say
as a girl who has a cousin with special needs,
Michael doesn't compete anymore. He's a little older now, but
boy he did when he was younger and just having
someone to look forward to, having his group of friends
(04:27):
and having the physicality of like the working out and
the programs and you know, finding whatever, you know, a
sport he wanted to excel in and compete in. It
just means so much too for everyone involved and to
see the families are so proud to see people that
they love be so happy and have someone to focus
on look forward to. So it's just such a great
(04:47):
thing for everyone involved with Special Olympics. But it's a
lot of people because your region is massive. It's not
just La County, it's many counties.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, so I love what you spoke about on Michael
in his participation. You know, we look at some people
might think of you know, Special Olympics as you know,
affiliated with the Olympics where it's like every you know,
four years and actually, you know Special Olympics. We like
to say it transforms lives through the power of sport,
(05:19):
both with people with and without intellectual disabilities. So we
have our Speciallympics athletes and you know, they're seeing improved health,
improved sense of belonging, improve self confidence, They're twice as
likely to live independently or be employed. And then you
(05:40):
have all of us, the volunteers and families whose lives
are changed because connecting with and celebrating our athletes' abilities
opens our hearts and minds to acceptance and inclusion. So
Special indexes, you know, so so much more than I
think what people might understand it to be. And then
(06:03):
when you're talking about the footprint, we serve from as
far north as San Luis Obispo all the way down
to San Diego, and there's actually nearly half a million
people with intellectual disabilities across southern California. Right now, we're
serving just over ten thousand individuals, and so there's lots
(06:29):
of opportunity for growth. And then we have you mentioned
it in your intro that we have our unified programs
and that's where people with and without intellectual disabilities participate
and compete together. And so we partner with a lot
of the schools. The students are the ones that are
(06:50):
initiating and implementing these unified programs, and what they're finding is.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Kelly, this is like LA unified schools, Like this is
like every regular, normal, everyday local public schools.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Right, That's right. Are so right now where we work
with about three hundred and fifty schools and there's over
five thousand in our footprint, so lots of opportunity to
spread this program. But for the schools that are implementing
the unified Champion School program, they see an eighty seven
percent reduction in bullying. Oh. I love that students that
(07:21):
participate they say, you know, the Unified class is their
favorite place to be on campus because it's the one
place where they're not judged for being who they are. Yeah,
they're just supported well.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
And I like to think too, Kelly that like, as
a person who I always played sports, I like to
think that, you know, it just kind of breaks down
a little bit of the fear barrier. I think people
might have a lot of fear of the unknown, or
fear of how to be around a person with the
you know, that's different playing sports together. You know, I
love going to the Summer games in June and Long
Beach every year. And you know, our athletes are out there.
(07:56):
They can run hard, they can play hard. I mean,
they've got so much heart, just like.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
The rest of us. So you have a lot of heart.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
You love what you're doing out there competing. I feel
like we're kind of on the same playing level in
a lot of the ways. But yet, like you said,
we're both learning on each side. We're learning from each
other how to just be together and enjoy and compete
and have fun.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
That's that's exactly right. We just had our floorball championship.
Floorball is similar to floor hockey, but it just uses
a little bit of different equipment. And are some of
our staff members played some of our athletes, and I'll
tell you our staff had a lot to learn at
that game.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
So I'm gonna say, wait, can I guess who won?
The athletes win?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, yeah, they got school. Yeah that's great at school
by the athlete. I love that.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Wait, and I want to learn about floor ball. I
need to learn about this sport. Well, floor ball be
in the Summer Games this summer with the for special
Olympics where we can all.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Go and watch.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Floorball is our one winter sport that we offer right now.
So that was kind of the championship for the winter scene.
And now we are just this past weekend we kicked
off our spring sports season, and this is the sports
that our athletes can train and compete in locally now
and then through June. Where you reference the Summer Games,
(09:16):
the Summer Games is kind of like the championship competition
of the spring sports season. So we're kicking off flag football, basketball, batchy,
track and field, and swimming, and it's not too late
if there's anybody out there interested in signing up to
become an athlete, or to be a team volunteer, or
(09:39):
to volunteer at one of the competitions. We have hundreds
of competitions that take place over the course of the
year throughout all of the different communities we serve well.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
And now, as we talked about earlier, Kelly, the event calendar,
the events calendar for Special Olympics South California is very busy.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
A lot's going on with the Dream, Big Raffle.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Spring sports competitions that are underway, Summer games coming up
in June at cal State Long Beach, the Torch run
to pick cop fundraisers with the police department.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
But you mentioned earlier you know half the.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Million people here in Southern California that have special needs.
There's a half a million people with special needs and
you're serving ten thousand. Wow, that means there's so many
more that I hope know about your program. It's filled
with so much love. It's such a great curriculum too
in terms of like physicality, getting folks in shape for
(10:29):
all these competitions. But there's just so much love and
support for folks with special needs and for their families
just being involved in Special Olympics. It's it's a whole
lot of love and easy to get involved though, right
if someone's listening, if there's someone with special needs, it's
not involved in Special Olympics Southern California.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
What are you waiting for?
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Where's the best place to go to apply and find
out more, Kelly? Probably just the website, right.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yes, SOSC dot Or you could go to our website,
find our evank calendar. You can find how to become
an athlete or a volunteer. You can find how to
purchase a dream big raffle ticket, in all other ways
to support Special Olympics.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And again, there's so much that Special Olympics provides for
these athletes, not just the well that's kind of the
main part. It's the heart of Special Olympics Southern California
is competing, giving them something to love, creating a passion
for the training and the competition and all these different sports,
all the different choices, making friends, having their families be
so proud. But you know, all of this costs money,
(11:29):
and that's why the fundraising is key to cover the
costs or everything, and costs of the travel and uniforms
and equipment, and you know, we've got coaches involved in
a professional staff that helped pull all this off. So
there's all that happening. And also Kelly mentioned the health
aspect of it too. I mean the athletes benefit health
wise because you guys really go, you know, the extra
(11:51):
mile to make sure that they are healthy head to toe.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yeah. Special Olympics is actually the largest access to healthcare
for people with intellectual disabilities. We have a large network
of volunteer health practitioners that provide free health screenings for
athletes and this is where medical practitioners are learning and
understanding how to care and work with people with intellectual disabilities.
(12:16):
And so if you come out to summer games, it's
a great example where you'll see a lot of different
screenings that are available for free for our athletes or
potential athletes. So this is you can get screened for
your eyes. And we have a group the Lions Club
cuts actually donated goggles or prescription glasses for our athletes.
(12:41):
We do we have volunteer pediatrists that check feet. Surprisingly,
a number of athletes might have like the wrong size
shoe fitted, or one shoe or foot might be larger
than the other. We do healthy hearings, so we're screening
people's hearing. There's a variety of different initiative Strong Minds
(13:03):
where we're promoting and helping people manage anxiety and other
things that are connected to mental health.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
So many important ways that Speciallympics Southern California takes care
of your athletes. I love it and your your special
Olympics family and Kelly, Am I still it's still okay
to say special needs? Right?
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Am I saying that?
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Writer?
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Should I say intellectual disabilities or folks with special needs?
Speaker 3 (13:27):
That's okay to say it like that, right?
Speaker 2 (13:28):
I think that's included. Yeah, it's there's a spectrum of
different disabilities that can qualify, and special needs is one way.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Okay, I want to make sure I'm still you know,
saying the right saying the right thing special needs. It's
all encompassing because it's a variety of issues that folks
are dealing with. But what a way to bring people
together and just wonderful people behind this organization like Kelly
and including this very special relationship with police officers the LAPD.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
People have a lot to say about the LAPD.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
But boy, they put their feet to the ground and
do a lot of fundraising in terms of the Torch
Run and these tip a cop restaurant events. So we
need to patronize our local restaurants and help them out.
And if we do on certain restaurants, at certain restaurants
on certain nights, you can you know, the police officers
have a great time with this and every time you
(14:19):
are able to tip, that money goes directly to Special Olympics.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I see, like on the calendar events.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
March twelfth, there's a little event tip a cop at
Jose Alito's restaurant in Tahunga, March eighteenth, CPK and Studio
City March twenty six Marie's Italian Kitchen and Van I.
So like a huge list of events year round, especially
in the month of March. In terms of these police officers.
All the information on their website SOOSC dot org on
the events page, but talk about what happens at these
(14:48):
tip acop restaurant events.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
It's super fun.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Yeah, law enforcement is an incredible partner to Special Olympics
and our athletes. They have a really unique relationship and
they generate a lot of funds for our athletes by
doing these tip acop events and like you're saying, Lisa,
the officers go in and they help the weight staff
(15:10):
to serve all of the restaurant customers, so you know,
you might have the chief of police waiting on you.
And then any additional tips are counted as donations to
Special Olympics. When these tip a coop events are happening.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Yeah, and they're they're usually a uniform, they're there on
their time, and they're there with a smile that they're
to have a have fun. They're there to charm you
to uh, you know, get a little a bigger tip
because it all goes to a great cause. And then
the Torch Run is actual running and carrying the torch
and what an honor you can tell for these officers
and for anyone involved in the Torch Run. Talk about
these significance of that because it's so special and again
(15:46):
for the officers to do this for Special Olympics is
it's been a long running history with that as well.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Yes, the torch We talked about the footprint from stand
Elisabispo to San Diego and we have partnerships with over
three hundred different agencies across our footprint and we work
with them and they come up with a path where
they pass the torch from one city to the other.
(16:13):
Two weeks leading up to Summer Games, so officers run
alongside our athletes and families and supporters. They run through
the community holding the torch. They're carrying the flame of hope.
And it's all culminated at our Summer Games opening ceremony
where they like the cauldron to kick off the Championship Games.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Well, to have the honor of hosting the special Olympics
Summer Games in June a few summers ago in Long Beach,
and wow, when the torch run you know, ends up
there and they like the cauldron, like you said, just
to know how many hands it passed through, just to
know these police officers that the torch is just so special,
such a.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Coveted moment when the torch.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Reaches the big cauldron and people are watching, just kind
of aw knowing that the path, how long it took
to get it there, and all the fundraising involved, all
the hands that passed through, and just the significance of
the whole moment is so so cool. I encourage you
to be the Summer Games this year in June and
Long Beached to see it unfold in person. But Kelly,
(17:17):
we can kind of see the route of the Torch
Run and learn how it all works on the website
as well. Right, so we can see or find out
where the torch is going to be on certain days
at certain times. We can be there to maybe cheer
them on and be a part of it too.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Yeah, you can learn more about the route so you
can go cheer on your local athletes and law enforcement
officers running the torch at our website, so SOSC dot org.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
All right, so we got the Torch Run.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
We've got tip a Coop fundraisers happening throughout the month
of March, mostly the entire it's a very busy event
schedule at SOSC dot org. And of course one hundred
and fifty bucks you could buy one ticket, maybe you
want to buy many tickets. I would encourage you to
do so, because one in twenty five people win something
really cool and the prizes are just off the charts
for the just launched Special Olympics Southern California. Dream big, raffle,
(18:09):
and dream big, y'all, because you could win that beautiful
mansion in the Getty community of the Oaks and Calabasas. Wow,
this house, wait to see the pictures. Five bedroom, seven bathroom,
sixty eight hundred square feet, gorgeous pool, outdoor kitchen, there's
a music room. This gorgeous home is like the top
top prize. You can either take a million bucks or
the beautiful home. Then there's all these vacations and gift
(18:32):
cards and flat screen TVs and cookwear luggage. What are
we hoping to raise again this year from the Dream
Big Raffle.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
This is our sixteenth year of the Dream Big Raffle
and the average amount raised to support our athletes is
about a million and a half dollars.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
And let me just say last year when we bought
tickets for last year, last year's.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
Join and there's a lot of winners like Kelly Manchin.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
So when you go to sokel Raffle dot com, so
cal Raffle dot com, that'll take you directly to the
website with not only the it'll walk you through the
entire process and show you. It'll suck you into all
the amazing prizes up forbid. Well, when you buy a ticket,
it's what you're in to win. And like she mentioned,
luxury vacations.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
It's jewelry.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
It's incredible gadgets, right, high tech gadgets and cars, and
the prizes are so high end. You'll be so excited
at a chance to win while helping Special Olympics.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, there's over two thy eight hundred prizes. Tickets are
one hundred and fifty dollars each train to buy multi
packs for a discounted rate. And if you buy the
tickets early, you also get entered into early bird drawings.
So there's you know, all kinds of different ways to
(19:48):
earn more chances to win.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
And if you get in before this first early bird
drawing on March fourteenth, winners choose between if you win
the early bird drawing, the first one for Speciallympics out
the California, you have to choose tough. You have to
choose between a Porsche or plus twenty thousand dollars, So
a brand new Porsche McCann electric plus twenty thousand dollars.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Or one hundred thousand dollars. That's your choice. Wow, I
mean that's one of them.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
So you'll be wowed by these cars, wowed by the money,
wowed by these incredible choices. Last year, so we bought
a bunch of tickets last year, and there was a
lot of Lisas that won, sadly not Lisa Fox.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
But it's okay. I'm We're gonna try again this year.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
But to see you know you list they list talk
about honesty, Special Olympics, Southern California, Total transparency. They will
list every single winner's name and city on the website
so there's no hiding anything. They'll list every single winner
for every single prize. And I so hope it's you
this year. Like she said, one fifty a ticket, You're
so going to win. The odds of winning are tremendous,
(20:50):
like Kelly said, one in twenty five, pretty darn good.
Chances of winning something cool. And the list of all
these goodies is so fun, even just the vacations. Oh
my gosh, there's luxury bike ocass to Italy, to France,
to Canada, to Monico, to the Virgin Islands, Portugal, Singapore,
you name it. And the top top prize a million
dollars or this Mediterranean, Mediterranean masterpiece mansion in the prestigious
(21:16):
getting community of the Oaks in Calabasas. Oh, the pictures
are just stunning, you know, gorgeous views in the pool,
and all the fancy stuff, the big bathtub and all
the nice stuff, the wet bar and all this stuff.
So it's an incredible chance to of course dream about
your new dream house or just you know, dream big
in general. When you buy a one or multiple one
(21:37):
hundred fifty dollars tickets for the dream big, Raffle odds
of winning a pretty darn good one in twenty five
and these prizes are super impressive, especially that dream house.
My gosh, all the information read through the website and
just knowing hearing Kelly talk about where all this money
goes so so important for these athletes and their families
and the wonderful programs now they take care of everybody.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
It's such a big.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
Family, such sweet people who care so much about our
athletes and folks with special needs. So buy Raffle tickets,
help raise this money to help sow many and dream
big and winning that big, beautiful house in Calabasas So
cal Raffle dot com, So cal Raffle dot com for
all the info.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
I love it, and I'm on that note a.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Little shout out to you, Kelly. I love your story.
I like to mention your story every time that we
have our annual chat on the radio. I love Kelly
Pond started as a volunteer with Special Olympics forever ago
and she's now the Ceoh.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
I just love it. I mean, did you ever see
that happening when you start there as a volunteer?
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Oh? I did not. No, thank you, Lisa. I love
that you remember this, and I so appreciate your kindness
about it. I did. I started as a volunteer. The
volunteers are the backbone of our organization. I mean, we
rely on thousands of coaches that are really the ones
that are in it alongside our athletes to make our
(23:01):
programs happen. I started to a volunteer the mission just
I felt so connected and inspired by the athletes and
the mission. That was twenty five years ago, and I
just have been so grateful to be a part of
the organization ever since.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Well see, that's why you're the perfect person to be
the CEO, the perfect spokesperson for such a wonderful organization
that you love so much. Special Olympics Southern California around
since nineteen sixty eight. Special Olympics Southern California and enriches
the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities, through sports, through leadership,
through programs, through health initiatives.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Through so much heart and love.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
They provide year round free programming that promotes inclusion and
acceptance across all communities. They're close to my heart. They're
always need to volunteers. If you know of any athletes
who would love to be part of this program, anyone
with special needs or intellectual disabilities, please have them reached
out to Special Olympics Southern California. It's just such a
huge family and there's just so many benefits to being involved.
(24:04):
And don't we get to check out their very busy schedule,
The fundraisers coming up, the Torch Run with the police officers,
the tip Acop restaurant events of fundraiser events happening throughout
the month of March, the Summer Games in June at cal.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
State Long Beach.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
All that info at SOOSC dot org, so SC dot org.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
And of course the Big Dream Big Raffle.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Great chances of winning something really cool one in twenty
five chances of winning something really cool one hundred fifty
bucks per ticket or a special bundle deal. When you
buy more, it will increase your chances of winning something
really cool, right, We talked all about it. The whole
list is also on their website, so cal raffle dot com.
Luxury vacations, luxury cars, money give cards, flatscreen TVs, quickwear, luggage,
(24:48):
super cool high tech gadgets and of course I mean,
especially after these terrible fires. My gosh, how incredible that
you could win a brand new home, beautiful home in
calabases Wait.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
To ea see the picture.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
You're gonna buy tickets right away and you see the
pictures of this gorgeous Mediterranean masterpiece in Calabasas.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Get your tickets.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
All the info at sokel raffle dot com, so cal
raffle dot com.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
And again a shout out.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
To our police officers who do the Torch Run and
these tip a Hoop restaurant farm raisers.
Speaker 3 (25:18):
Every year.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
The law enforcement Torch Run is represented in all fifty states,
with over ninety seven thousand officers around the world doing this.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
They raised over a billion dollars since the whole thing
started back in nineteen eighty one, and Southern California is
one of the leading programs in the world, the most
people involved, the most money raised, and representing the largest
group over two hundred and twenty law enforcement agencies and stations.
So yeah, showing that love to Special Olympics Southern California.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
I love it booooo.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Kelly Pond, the CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. You're
the best, cal Thank you so much for all that
you and your team do and I will see you
soon for sure the Summer Games in June in Long Beach,
if not sooner.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
So yeah, thank you so much, Kelly.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Yeah all right, thanks so much. Lisa,
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