Local Special Olympics volleyball team calls for community support ahead of 2026 U.S. Special Olympic Games

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The MO Magic’s Special Olympics volleyball team has been capturing hearts through their skill and determination but now they’re asking for the community’s help as they prepare for their journey to the 2026 U.S. Special Olympic Games that will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Melody Gardner is the volleyball coach for Special Olympics team MO Magic. She shares that their team had to play against multiple other teams in the Special Olympics and then again in selection camp. After selection camp was over Gardner says they received a call that their team had been chosen to represent the state of Missouri in the 2026 USA Special Olympic games!  

“They knew this is something they wanted to do for a long time as a team” says Gardner. “So, we just continued to work and practice every single week. We did what we had to do run drills, run, just learn different skills and just put it to good use.” 

Gardner shares that each athlete is expected to raise around $3,000 a piece to cover the cost of going, so they will be working with community members in upcoming fundraisers. Including an upcoming Jackson Football game and Volleyball game, as well as a cornhole tournament and much more.

This upcoming weekend September 19-21 local restaurant Encore Pizza located in downtown Cape Girardeau is holding a fundraiser to raise money for the team.

“They do is they raise money because of course, we know it does cost to go” says Gardner “and so they say the average cost per athlete is 5 to $6000 per athlete and they just ask that each athlete help raise a portion of their funding. So, each athlete is asked to raise $3,000.” 

Players in the Special Olympics have different abilities that range from low to severe, they learn hard skills and push past obstacles. Which is exactly what MO Magic is doing. 

“When we made this team, we made it at every different ability level. So, we have athletes that are pretty high in their ability level and then we have some that their ability level may not be as high, but they come together, and they work together” says Gardner. “We use our older athletes to help mentor our younger ones and help teach them to learn the different skills that they can learn to be the best that they can be and it’s really done well for our team.” 

For more details on upcoming fundraising Southeast Area | Special Olympics Missouri.