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.
“There are so many families with children and adults with special needs that didn’t know they could do these things because they didn’t know the opportunities were there.” Marcus wants to share this joy with everyone, which is why he is focused on getting athletes back onto the playing field.
“There are so many families with children and adults with special needs that didn’t know they could do these things because they didn’t know the opportunities were there.”
Area 2 athlete Donte Fleming shared that his basketball coach is “always doing something crazy!” From a dunk tank, to shaving his beard, to a parade on the boardwalk, to a car wash, you name it and Marcus has done it. Marcus looks forward to doing “crazy things to keep everyone motived and involved” while raising money for the local program.
“It’s never about me. It’s always about them.” Marcus has worked hard to involve the community of Virginia Beach to ensure that the athletes he coaches will always have opportunities to shine.
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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. -
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. -
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.”