Special Olympics Lee County is Making a Difference
Feb 06, 2025 ● By Bill Evans
The Special Olympics of Lee County, Alabama, is a local chapter of the Special Olympics movement, dedicated to providing sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Running from August to May, the program’s goal is to help athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and form meaningful relationships.
In Lee County, the Special Olympics program typically offers a variety of sports such as track and field, basketball, bowling, swimming, and more, depending on the season and available resources. These events give athletes the opportunity to compete at local, regional, and sometimes state levels.
Elizabeth Kaufman, the Director of Lee County Special Olympics through Auburn's Parks and Recreation Department, shared her insights about the program. Participants travel from as far as Columbus to take part.
“We have over 300 athletes, ages 8 and up. Our oldest athlete is in their 60s! We support athletes from Lee, Russell, Macon, and Tallapoosa counties,” Elizabeth explained. “Right now, we have basketball, volleyball, powerlifting, golf, bowling, aquatics, and track and field as our main sports. We are always looking to add coaches for new sports if anyone is interested. It’s about a 1-2 hour/week commitment, plus traveling to competitions.”
She added, “We are currently updating our uniforms and saving up for the 2025 State Games and the 2026 National Games in Minneapolis, which are our big fundraising focus areas right now. We just finished a very successful Polar Plunge in January, one of our biggest fundraising events.”
The Special Olympics of Lee County is powered by dedicated volunteers, coaches, and supporters who help athletes thrive not only in sports but also in life. The program aims to raise awareness about the abilities and potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities, challenge stigmas, and promote inclusion within the community.
If you would like more information or are interested in volunteering, contact Elizabeth Kaufman, Lee County Special Olympics Director, at [email protected].
The Special Olympics of Lee County will also be the designated charity for Columbus/Auburn/Opelika Dining for Charities during March and April. Fifteen percent of all purchases from Dining for Charities will be donated to the Special Olympics of Lee County.