We Serve
Champions
Happenings
Want to catch up on SOLA Lions Club/s recent activities and upcoming events? Follow this link to checkout our latest SOLAMOTION newsletter. In the December/January edition, we recap the fun we had over the holidays and news of what we are looking forward to as we kick off 2024. If you are interested in making new friends in your community or volunteering for a great cause, please visit us at our next meeting on January 17.
Our History
Special Olympics Los Angeles Lions Club (SOLA Lions) is a Specialty Lions Club that serves Special Olympics only. The SOLA Lions Club was given its Charter on March 24, 2009, and had its Charter Installation on May 4, 2009, with International Lions Club President Al Brandel present. SOLA is the second Lions Club in the world to serve the athletes of Special Olympics.
SOLA Lions provide logistical and volunteer support to champions in our community. As they step onto the track, field, pool, or court and compete, the athletes we serve are the ones who improve our lives as they challenge us all to do our best.
April 2023: SELA Basketball Tournament at Whittier College. Photo credit: SKJ Photography
About Special Olympics
From humble beginnings at Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s home in Washington DC in 1962 with 16 “campers” with Intellectual Disabilities, Special Olympics was born and in the 50 years has grown worldwide with 5.5 million athletes with intellectual disabilities involved in Special Olympics programs around the world, which includes:
• Africa Region.
• Asia Pacific Region.
• East Asia Region.
• Europe/Eurasia Region.
• Latin America Region.
• Middle East/North Africa Region.
• North America Region.
In addition, Special Olympics has more than 1.1 million coaches and volunteers with 244 national and U.S. programs in 193 countries.
Special Olympics provides opportunities for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ID), of any age, to participate in sports practice and competitions. Not only do they gain the knowledge of the sports, but the benefits of participating in Special Olympics also includes increase strength and physical fitness, prevents social isolation, improves communication skills, boosts cognitive abilities, forges new relationships with family and community members and gives the athletes a sense of achievement.
Special Olympics is growing daily, with new teams forming all across the world.
Support is always needed to provide practice locations, competitions, equipment, uniforms and volunteers. For this reason, the SOLA Lions Club was formed to serve athletes in the greater community.
SOLA Lions Club works in close collaboration with the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Central Division staff to provide financial or hands-on needs for our Special Olympics Athletes.
To learn more about SOSC, visit: SOSC
To learn more about Lions Clubs International, visit: LCI