The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games kicks off July 1 in Seattle and continues through July 6. Microsoft is proud to be the premier sponsor of this event, which showcases the talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities and promotes the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport.

Special Olympics and Microsoft have a shared belief that individuals, organizations, and communities are stronger when everyone can contribute their talents and skills. The 2018 Special Olympics Games provides an opportunity for each of us to examine our assumptions and take action collectively to create more inclusive communities. Together, we are more.

#risewithus

There are a number of exciting opportunities available to support the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games and you can contribute to making this event an engaging and positive experience for athletes, coaches, fans and volunteers alike.

Be a Fan in the Stands: Rally your Microsoft colleagues and attend sporting events throughout the week of the Games to root for these accomplished athletes. Volunteering to champion these athletes through your physical presence is invaluable. Without fans, it’s just another practice, so share your energy and enthusiasm to make a meaningful impact. Register to join your fellow Microsoft colleagues at the athletics venue by clicking Register here below or view the full events calendar here to choose your favorite sports event and get ready to witness the true spirit of the Games. All events are free to attend.

Attend the Opening Ceremony: The Opening Ceremony will take place on July 1st, at 12:30 p.m., at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased HERE. You, and any family and friends who join you, will sit in the reserved Microsoft section (seats are limited) and be welcomed with swag to cheer on the Parade of Athletes and experience the lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron. Satya and Brad will be speaking during the ceremony, and they will be joined by additional Microsoft senior leadership team members to walk into Open Ceremonies with the Washington State athletes. In addition, you’ll get to enjoy performances by Charlie Puth, Marshmello, Allen Stone and more, during the ceremony, which will be hosted by Taye Diggs.

Attend the Closing Ceremony: The Closing Ceremony is on July 6th, at 7:00 p.m., at Lake Union Park and is free and open to the public. It will be a wonderful celebration of the Games, with music by Seattle band Hey Marseilles, mobile food trucks, festive street performers, and a short program.

Double your impact with Microsoft's match!

Match-eligible employee volunteering is defined as gifts of time, labor, or expertise in support of community initiatives that happen during personal time, all of which are matched by the company $25-per-hour to eligible organizations.

Volunteer hours that take place for Special Olympics on Saturday, June 30, Sunday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 4 are eligible for a match by Microsoft. All other volunteer work must occur during personal time to qualify for the match.

Visit our frequently asked questions page for more information about Microsoft’s volunteer program.

ACCESS CODE - MICROSOFT2018

INTERNS: please use ACCESS CODE emailed to you

1. Click "Register Here" on the photo above

2. Click the purple box that reads "Click Here to Volunteer With Us!"

3. Select the blue box "Access Coded Companies and Groups"

4. In the upper left corner under "Activity Selector", enter your unique Access Code and click "unlock"

5. Once your group name appears, click on the blue plus sign to expose the positions available

6. Select the shift that works for your schedule (remember to check with a supervisor if necessary)

7. Select a Volunteer Training session (required)

8. Click "Next" using the green box to the right

9. On the next page, enter your email address, name and password in the "Create an Account" fields

10. Click "Register" to finalize your registration!

For more information on how to register to volunteer, watch the video below.