Rose Ann Gamma

Volunteer Profile

“I’ve learned so much since 2000. This community of athletes has so much more to offer to us than we have to them.”

Rose Ann Gamma moved to Charlottesville in January of 2000 and immediately sought out some type of community service. That led her to Special Olympics, which led her to Gene Arnold, Area Coordinator.

“Gene was the type of person that just sucked you into the program. It wasn’t ‘Are you available?’ or ‘Can you do?’ It was, ‘I put you on the schedule.’ So I just got more and more involved.”

In 2009, Gene passed away and the leadership in the area would nominate and elect Rose Ann Gama to the Area Coordinator position. “When I took the job over, I said I would take this job for a year. And if I have people step up, participate, and help, I will continue on for as long as I can. Boy did they step up.”

And when everything changed in March, the volunteers in her area continued to step up. Rose Ann, with the help of key volunteers, established a weekly Zoom meeting that focused on a new sport each week. They even had help from a few University of Virginia student athletes who would join each of the calls.

“We have so many good people here. I don't do any of this alone and I can’t do what I do without the community that we’ve got.

"She's smart, I think she is fun. It is amazing to see her out there. I think she is really sweet and kind. She has energy and is a good helper. She is also a good leader and makes me feel happy. Rose Ann has had a great year with all of us and we are proud of her."
Josh, 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.
  • 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.”