Andy Stromberg

Volunteer Profile

“I have something inside of my body that says I need to be doing this. I honestly kind of have to do it.”

Andy Stromberg has been involved as a volunteer with Special Olympics Virginia for about 7 years. More recently though, Andy’s involvement has increased by becoming a leader and council member in Area 14, Loudoun County.

Once on the board, Andy started attending the council meetings. That’s when things took off, “I sort of just started raising my hand for like a hundred things.”

“I have something inside of my body that says I need to be doing this. I honestly kind of have to do it.”
Andy Stromberg

One of those things was Fun Fitness with Andy. Coach Andy, as the athletes refer to him, hosted weekly fitness Zoom meetings on Thursday nights. There, he lead ranging social conversations, taught fitness exercises and cheered on his athletes.

“After a long day, you have a Zoom Call at 7pm, you’re like ‘I’ve got to get going for this’. Then you get on the call and all the athletes are on early, and you just know how much they love it. It really just motivates you to keep doing it.”

So, Coach Andy will keep doing it. Starting this week, he’ll trade his Zoom meetings for and outdoor fitness program.

“Coach Andy is very encouraging and positive and he takes time to help us athletes to achieve our goal.” Christ Bleull, Special Olympics Virginia athlete.

  • Volunteer Week National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle one of society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger more inclusive communities. This week, we're highlighting just a few volunteers that have been serving our 22,000+ Special Olympics Virginia athletes.

    These leaders have lent their time, skills and heart over the years and we couldn’t be more grateful for them, and the countless other volunteers that keep our programs running. Read their stories and take the time to thank a volunteer that you know that has made a difference at Special Olympics Virginia.
  • Rose Ann Stern Rose Ann Stern is the proud mother to three Special Olympics Virginia athletes in Area 23. Her three boys compete in nearly every sport that the area has to offer which, over time, has led Rose Ann to build relationships with nearly all the coaches, athletes, and parents. So, as Rose Ann became more and more comfortable, she started asking a lot of questions, stepping up, and being helpful without being, “too helpful” as she puts it.
  • Marcus Leggett Marcus, whose son is also a Special Olympics Virginia athlete, has been with Area 2 for 15 years as the local coordinator in Virginia Beach and as a coach of multiple sports year round. After being called coach at the first event he attended, he knew he was locked in.
  • Tom Hagen Tom Hagen is the long time Area 33 coordinator and father of a Special Olympics Virginia athlete. Like many parents of a child with special needs, Tom was looking for an opportunity for his son when he found Special Olympics. Since then, he has worked to grow the program, bring awareness and recruit more volunteers in the area.
  • Kami Lannetti Kami has been involved with Special Olympics Virginia for over 10 years as the Area 2 coordinator. Herself, her husband and all of her children have volunteered and coached at numerous events in the Southeast. At the first soccer tournament she attended she was asked to be a coach, and she hasn’t had a free Saturday since.
  • Gena Callahan Three years ago, Gena was searching for opportunities for her niece that has special needs and found Special Olympics Virginia. Shortly after she got involved, there was a vacancy for an Area 24 coordinator, and being the leader she is, Gena stepped right up to the challenge. Now, three years later, and she is still here and working hard for the athletes that she considers her family.
  • Andy Stromberg “I have something inside of my body that says I need to be doing this. I honestly kind of have to do it.”