Publix® and P&G have been supporting Special Olympics and its athletes for 39 years. When you donate to Special Olympics online, you'll receive more than $20 in Publix digital coupons.
To receive your exclusive Publix Digital Coupons you must make a donation and download your offers December 30, 2018 through January 28, 2019. Coupons will be valid through January 31st, 2019
Other Ways to Donate
Your in-store purchase of a Special Olympics torch also supports this great cause. When you donate in store, you'll receive more than $15 in Publix store coupons.
Donations can be made in increments of $1, $3, $5 or $10 at Publix, January 2, 2019, through January 13, 2019.
Meet Our Special Olympic Athletes
Meredith
Seminole County, Florida
Meredith started her journey in Special Olympics through the Young Athletes program and now competes in cheerleading and gymnastics. Even at a young age, she has believed in the power of inclusion and loves competing alongside individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
David
Miami-Dade County, Florida
The one word that describes David is dedicated. As the Special Olympics Florida Miami-Dade Athlete of the Year, David recently competed in the 2018 USA Games in athletics and brought home the gold in the 800 meter run. 'Going there and seeing the best makes me want to become the best,' he said. Through his 11 years in Special Olympics, he has become the leader his teammates need in such activities as athletics, flag football, soccer, softball, basketball and swimming. Once, while competing in a basketball game, he took ownership for his team’s loss, despite spraining his ankle.
Jared
Manatee County, Florida
Jared may only be 11 years old, but he has a big heart. Jared was born with Down Syndrome, but grew up in an inclusive setting where family and community believed in his abilities, not his disabilities. He started playing golf the minute he could hold a club at two years old and began taking lessons at just four years old. On the golf course, things came easily to Jared. Over the years he's played for First Tee, PGA Junior League and Special Olympics. Just recently, Jared and his Dad took home a gold medal from the 2018 USA Games where they competed as Unified Partners. Jared was the youngest athlete to medal in the golf event. Jared is a reminder that people with disabilities have very special and amazing talents when given the platform to display them.
Ian
Orange County, Florida
Although Ian has been deemed 'Most Likely to Make the Olympics' by his peers, he only started swimming at the age of 15. He picked up the sport quickly and competes competitively on his high school and community teams. Ian also competed in the 2018 USA Games, capturing the gold with his team in the 4x100 free relay M03.
Jennifer
Monroe County, Florida
Jennifer lives on an island—Key West to be exact—so it should come as no surprise that she’s a natural in the water. Jennifer has participated in Special Olympics for 20 years and most recently took up the sport of stand-up paddle, which made its debut in the 2018 USA Games. In the 50-year history of the Special Olympic Games, Jennifer was the first athlete from Key West or Monroe County to be invited to participate in the 2018 USA Games. She brought home a bronze medal.
Josh
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Joshua loves playing on his softball team. He credits Special Olympics wtih helping him with his self-confidence and social skills, as well as allowing him to travel to new states and meet people from all over the world. Joshua is proud of who Special Olympics has made him and is proud to represent his team, state and country at different levels of competition. Most of all, he loves that being in Special Olympics makes his family and friends happy.
Lindsay
Palm Beach County, Florida
Lindsay isn't just famous in Florida—before she moved to the Sunshine State, Lindsay was inducted in to the New Jersey Special Olympics Hall of Fame. Special Olympics has not only made Lindsay more independent and given her more confidence, she's also had more opportunity to be successful in sports. Most importantly, Special Olympics also provides Lindsay challenges to improve her golf skills to perform her best on a national level. One of her proudest accomplishments was when she won the gold medal in swimming at the World Games in China.
Matt
Sarasota County, Florida
Matt doesn't know the word quit—it's not in his vocabulary. Matt suffered a cerebral aneurysm rupture at the age of 10, which lead to a traumatic brain injury. But that didn’t stop Matt from continuing his passion of playing golf, which he started at the age of four. His parents, both US Navy veterans, started him with a toddler set of clubs, then a junior set. Now Matt uses a set of advanced left-handed clubs, which he used to play in the 2018 USA Games, where he placed fourth. Matt says improving his golf game, 'takes lots of patience, lots of practice. Keeping my head down is the easiest part. Keeping track of my ball is the hardest part.'
Morgan
Palm Beach County, Florida
Attending the 2018 USA Games for swimming made Morgan feel as if people can look up to her as an athlete. Morgan has been participating in Special Olympics for 15 years in multiple sports and was crowned Special Olympics Athlete of the Year in Palm Beach County this past year. If you ask us, it seems as if people have been looking up to Morgan for quite some time now.
Nicholas
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Nicholas has been involved in Special Olympics for 26 years and believes swimming is central to the healthy lifestyle that's kept him in tip-top shape. He has attended multiple Special Olympics World and USA Games, which have afforded him the opportunity to travel and meet new people. Recently he was part of a four-member National Paralympic team, Athletes Without Limits, that broke the standing long course American record for the 400-meter individual medley relay! Nicholas really is without limits when he competes.
David
Indian River County, Florida
Not only is David a dedicated athlete and coach in Special Olympics, he is also a dedicated Publix employee celebrating 30 years with the company in 2018. When he isn't working, he's participating in basketball, bowling and stand up paddle; coaching bocce for his fellow Special Olympics athletes and friends; and lending a helping hand to his Special Olympics area community. David is the epitome of a community leader.
Kayla
Cherokee County, Georgia
Kayla, 26, has been part of Special Olympics Georgia for 18 years. The Special Olympics Georgia Cherokee County athlete started her career as a swimmer at the 2000 State Summer Games, competing in her favorite heats: the 25-meter freestyle, the 50-meter freestyle and the relays. 'I love swimming,' said Kayla. 'I have competed in swimming since I started.' The multi-medal swimmer has added some extra events to her resumé, pushing herself outside of her comfort zone as an Law Enforcement Torch Run bearer and recently as a volleyball medalist. Kayla’s family and fans believe that Kayla’s confidence and willingness to try new experiences has developed during her time as a Special Olympics Georgia athlete. Once described as quiet and shy, Kayla is a picture-perfect role model for not only newer athletes, but for anyone involved with Special Olympics Georgia, showing that some of the best rewards lie outside of comfort zones.
Michael
Cobb County, Georgia
'Oh yeah!' This is the enthusiastic cheer of Special Olympics Georgia Cobb County athlete, Michael. The 22-year-old athlete started in 2012, with softball as his first Special Olympics Georgia sport. Michael continued to pick up new sports, including basketball, table tennis and, for the first time in 2018, soccer. The Cobb County Publix employee is such a natural athlete, he was given two big accolades: He was selected to participate in the Special Olympics/MLS Unified soccer program, and he was also selected to represent the program in Atlanta as the captain of the Special Olympics MLS Unified East All-Star team. While winning is something Michael does regularly, his main focus is on having fun and encouraging his teammates. 'I love Special Olympics because it is fun! I like competing on a team and cheering for my teammates,' Michael says enthusiastically. He's excited to continue scoring more goals and winning more medals but, most importantly, spending time with athletes just as talented as he is.
Bryan
Wake County, North Carolina
Bryan is a sports fanatic. He's played hockey, soccer and basketball, but his favorite sport is swimming. For more than 14 years, he's trained and competed with Special Olympics, but the highlight of his career came in 2018. Bryan got on a plane for the first time to travel to Seattle, Washington, in order to represent North Carolina at the 2018 USA Games. He had the time of his life and won gold medals in all three of his individual events. Bryan loves sharing his Special Olympics experiences and is always ready to make a new friend.
Andro
New Hanover County, North Carolina
Andro first found Special Olympics about six years ago and immediately felt it was a community where he belonged. He thrived in the supportive and encouraging environment, gaining confidence in himself and his abilities, both on and off the golf course. Andro is a leader in his community and is active in his school's JROTC, Boy Scouts and his church. He recently became a Special Olympics Global Messenger and is ready to share the life-changing impact Special Olympics has had on him with others.
Nikki
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Nikki is always smiling, especially when she's at a Special Olympics tennis practice or competition. Since 2003, she’s enjoyed the opportunities Special Olympics offers for her to stay active and meet new friends. She met many new friends while competing at the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, Washington. When she’s not competing, she enjoys playing with her dog, going horseback riding and volunteering.
Nicole
Beaufort, South Carolina
Nicole is a 2010 graduate of North Myrtle Beach High School. She works at the Publix store in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. When Nicole is not working or training for Special Olympics, she enjoys fishing, attending church, baking, cooking, spending time with her sister and traveling. Nicole enjoys competing in bowling and bocce. She competed in bocce at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey.
William
Horry, South Carolina
William is dedicated, and he loves tennis. This last year was a big one for William. He trained and competed in the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, Washington. He trained twice a week. He takes his training pretty seriously and made sure that when he wasn’t on the court practicing, he made healthy choices and worked out. When he's not training, he's working! You'll catch William at Publix in Bluffton, South Carolina, helping bag groceries and stocking the shelves. He looks great in that green apron! One day, William would like to be a sports reporter. He loves sports of all kinds and has even been on two local television shows.
Ephraim
Franklin County, Tennessee
Ephraim, 5, is a bundle of spunk, courage and exuberance. He boasts an unmatched enthusiasm for every task with an abundant loving nature and a tender heart. Born with three rare genetic disorders, he has endured more than 30 hospitalizations, spending most of his nights hooked up to a feeding pump, an infusion pump and a pulse oximeter. With a medical team that spans the nation, he and his family travel at least five to six times per year for his medical care. Despite being the only person in history with his combination of genetic disorders, Ephraim faces the obstacles before him with incredible strength, grace and resilience. He is braver than most and has fought tirelessly since the day he was born. Everyone who meets him gets an incredible lesson in how to bear suffering with dignity and grace. His teacher noted that although he is up against more than his classmates, he always has a smile, gives his best effort even when it's clear that he doesn’t feel like doing so and has a positive attitude toward any new activity introduced to him. It's difficult to capture with words what the Young Athletes™ program has meant to Ephraim and his family. Young Athletes™ has played a huge role in ensuring that Ephraim has a 'life worth fighting for.' It has given him a place to belong, build friendships, radiate confidence and explore new challenges. He eagerly cheers on his friends, engages with the group and participates in activities. As part of the Special Olympics community, Ephraim is regarded as a child whose life is as valuable as that of any child.
Halladay
Columbia, Tennessee
Through my involvement with Special Olympics Tennessee, I have discovered many things about myself. I am less fearful of new places and things. I am more willing to try. Special Olympics has given me the opportunity to travel, which has made me more outgoing. I am less likely to give up. I have overcome many challenges, such as getting a job and starting martial arts. I'm also sponsoring a student in Haiti and send her school supplies with my paycheck,' says Halladay. 'I made a new friend through Special Olympics when I sent a letter of encouragement to someone in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, when Gatlinburg experienced the fires. have built many friendships through Special Olympics and my martial arts training. Everyone was very supportive of me when I was selected to compete in swimming at the 2018 USA Games in Seattle. Special Olympics involves me, so that I am more likely to learn.'
Abigail
Henrico County, Virginia
Abigail joined Special Olympics Virginia as a Young Athlete™ two years ago. At her first Little Feet Meet, she needed a walker for support, but now can move, jump and dance without it—and we promise, she's quite the dancer! 'It was such a joy to watch her,' said her mom, Chelsea. 'Seeing so many children come together who did not once let their disabilities limit them was incredible. Abigail couldn’t stop smiling.'
Shaun
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Shaun, who plays basketball and softball, had the chance to travel to New Jersey in 2013 for the Special Olympics North America Softball Invitational Tournament, which still tops the list as his favorite Special Olympics moment. Off the field, he works at Publix (he’s been in the grocery business for 12 years) and enjoys going to high school football and basketball games. He’ll also tell you that his mom, Barbara, is his No. 1 fan. 'I go to every practice and every game and have since the beginning,' she said. 'I am his biggest cheerleader.'
For 38 years Publix® and P&G have been committed to supporting Special Olympics and its athletes. Your purchase of a Special Olympics torch in-store continues the support of this great cause.
Thank you for being a Fan.
Donations can be made in increments of $1, $3, $5 or $10.
Available at Publix 1/4/18 - 1/20/18
More Than $20 in Savings
When you make an online donation to Special Olympics, you'll receive a unique link to download digital coupons worth more than $20 in savings to use on a variety of P&G products.