Rose Ann Stern

Volunteer Profile

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.

Ultimately, this led to Rose Ann being offered a position on the council as the Family Outreach Coordinator. While she has read the job description, Rose Ann has clearly made the position her own. At any given practice you can see her helping organize and oversee COVID-19 protocols, assisting new volunteers, and sprinting alongside athletes. There’s not a moment where she isn’t serving an athlete, parent, or coach. In fact, to simply get her to pose for a picture at practice was a challenge all by itself.

Special Olympics works and functions as an organization because of people like Rose Ann. So when the organization was challenged in March of 2020, Rose Ann simply did what she does best, she stepped up. She worked with coaches and area members to host weekly Zoom exercises, hosted social gatherings like Bingo, and committed herself to keeping athletes engaged.

“I know the pandemic was so socially isolating for everyone. This is some of our athletes only social outlet.”

When it was time to move outside, Rose Ann was up for that challenge too. She along with her Area 23 Council worked extremely hard to stay within Covid guidelines and host outdoor events. For the athletes that didn’t feel comfortable, there was space for them online as well.

As our athletes get back in the game, look no further than the leaders in each community to allow the fields, pools, and courts to be full again.

  • 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.”