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.
Gena places a heavy focus on building character, teaching basic life skills and doing community service. Before the pandemic, Gena would take groups of athletes to visit nursing homes to share notes and socialize with residents. “It’s important to talk about why we are doing this and the importance of giving back and doing something for others.” Gena uses these activities to teach respect, on and off the playing field.
“It’s important to talk about why we are doing this and the importance of giving back and doing something for others.”
Over the past year Gena has set up outside practices for combine activities, created packets of fitness homework for athletes to do until the next meet-up. She has also made an effort to connect with them on Facebook to keep in touch and be aware of what’s going on with them. “I am ready to get back out there and start providing these opportunities again for the athletes.”
Roger Johnson, a local Area 24 athlete and Special Olympics Virginia Global Messenger, shared that “she is very passionate about what she does and takes it very seriously.” “She is all hands on and all in all of the time.”
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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.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.”