Tom Hagen

Volunteer Profile

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.

His son has prepared him and helped him with this role. “The world isn’t left and right or black and white, life with Drake required some re-programming.” Through this, he has also been able to connect with other parents and coaches in the program to share things they have learned along the way.

“I miss the interactions.” Tom is ready to provide social interactions for athletes and the community, especially during a time when we all need to shift gears.

“He’s a great dad and takes this responsibility very seriously because he knows how important Special Olympics is to me. He doesn’t do anything halfway and isn’t afraid to use his big boy voice when it’s needed to get stuff done.” – Drake, Area 33 athlete and Tom’s son

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