On August 6, 2026 we were able to celebrate the accomplishments of our Special Olympics Athletes, Coaches, Volunteers and partners that have helped us make this year so successful and fun! Thank you to everyone that helped make this season and event so wonderful!
Our friends at the different Adult Day Programs in Knox County put together a collaborative Summer Sizzle event at Foundation Park on Friday August 21! The weather was perfect and the company was even better! Everyone had a fantastic time listening to music, dancing, getting their pictures taken, temporary tattoos (that seem to never come off!) and they got to Dunk some of their favorite people in a dunk tank! We can’t wait to see what fun ideas you guys come up with for the next Summer Sizzle event!
Our friends with Happy Spokes, MVPD, MVFD, Elvis and many more were there, too!
On June 3, 2026, approximately 260 people joined us for our Developmental Disabilities Acceptance Luncheon at Kenyon College!
We typically host a DD Awareness Month Luncheon during the month of March and a Direct Support Professional Appreciation Luncheon in the fall - but this year we decided to combine them into one event to celebrate the community that comes together to make Knox County a wonderful place to live, work and grow.
The theme of this years event was “The Power of Being a Good Neighbor,” inspired by the legacy of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. We started with a brief overview of our program and all the departments that come together to make the supports a reality for those in our program. We talked about Help Me Grow, Early Intervention, Service & Support Administration, Provider Relations, Special Olympics and all the other ways we support people. We then had our “From Awareness to Action: Building Inclusive Neighborhoods Panel” where we heard from:
Addie Cunningham: a mother who’s daughter used our Help Me Grow and Early Intervention programs to help get a diagnosis and appropriate therapy. She shared how she and her family have learned to advocate for their daughter and their entire family through this process.
Zach Depew: Vice President of Aktion Club and a Special Olympics Athlete. He shared about all the projects Aktion Club does to help improve our community and how he has been a mentor for his friends in Special Olympics.
Monica Swank: Knox Technical Center ASPIRE Program Coordinator. She shared about their program, how they hired a young man who is autistic and how their program has improved since having him on their team.
Peter & Will Smith: Peter is a father, an Independent Provider and an advocate for his son, Will. They shared about when they were on vacation in 2011 and were in a catastrophic car accident and how they chose to be optimistic moving through the unknown. They also shared about all the different ways Will stays connected, is active and how they give back to their community.
Sherrie Simmons, our Provider Relations Manager shared about the different ways Providers support people in our community and why their work and dedication is imperative.
We also gave out awards to some very deserving people!
Community Partner Award: Monica Swank, Knox Technical Center
Inclusive Employer Award: Knox Community Hospital, special thanks to Parker Reynolds
Heart of Support Award: Jessica Mortine, Gantt Homes
Individual Spotlight Award: Hope Beshears & Anthony Hawk
Lasting Legacy Award: Cathy Mitchell
On March 20, 2026, the MVNU Cougars gym was buzzing with excitement as the Special Olympics Knox County Eagles hit the court for our first‑ever Celebrity Basketball Game — and what a night it was!
Local community leaders stepped into the spotlight as our “celebrities,” bringing big energy, bigger laughs, and some unforgettable moments. From playful trash‑talk to surprising displays of athleticism, the crowd was treated to nonstop smiles from start to finish.
The Eagles shined with teamwork, heart, and determination… and yes — we even had a slam dunk that brought the house down!
Most importantly, the evening was filled with the spirit that makes our community so special: joy, inclusion, and connection. Thank you to everyone who played, cheered, volunteered, or showed up to celebrate our athletes. This is just the beginning — and we can’t wait for next year!
Thank you to our Celebrities for dedicating their time to support our program:
Paul McNeal, MVNU Cougars
Zach Thurman, Knox Community Hospital
Josh Lopez, Chevy GM
Jared Ronai, MVNU
Sarah Wheeler, Mount Vernon Police Department
Colin Wirrig, Ariel Corporation
Thom Collier, E-Merge
Brain Hess, Elite Preparedness
JD Burke, Mount Vernon Fire Department
Ethan Johnson, Park National Bank
Curtis Byers, Mount Zion Lodge 9
Our adult day programs enjoyed an extra-special celebration for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: a live performance by the incredible Cody Clark Magic!
Cody’s show blends storytelling, sleight of hand, and humor to create an experience that is not only entertaining, but meaningful. As an autistic magician, Cody shares pieces of his life journey throughout his performance—reminding us that everyone’s story deserves to be celebrated. His message of inclusion, self-expression, and embracing differences aligned beautifully with the purpose of this month.
Our participants were completely captivated! Laughter filled the room, jaws dropped, and many of our individuals stayed after the show to ask questions and learn more about the world of magic. The energy was joyful, welcoming, and full of community connection.
We are grateful to Cody for sharing his talent with us and helping make Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month even more memorable. Moments like these remind us what this month is all about—celebrating abilities, honoring individuality, and highlighting the value each person brings to our community.
