Global Messengers
As leaders and message-bearers of the movement, Global Messengers communicate the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, and courage of Special Olympics athletes around the world.
Only athletes can effectively relate the impact that the movement has had on their lives and the lives of their families.
Request a Global Messenger
Global Messengers are available to attend and speak at special events to deliver their inspirational messages.
To request a Global Messenger for your event, please complete the online request form.
Richard L. Van Kirk
Outstanding Outreach Achievement Award
Special Olympics Southern California athlete Alex Martin has been active in Special Olympics for more than 11 years. He participates in Bocce, Volleyball, Floor Ball and Golf.
Since 2014, Alex has provided athlete leadership as a Global Messenger speaking regularly about Special Olympics to numerous corporate and philanthropic groups such Microsoft, Kaiser Permanente, Knights of Columbus, Pimco, Taco Bell, Genesis Bank and Sheppard Mullin. Alex
has also enjoyed being the Opening Ceremonies speaker at various spring and fall festival events over the years, and has served as an instructor in the Young Athletes Program as well.
In 2023, Alex was also recognized as the top fundraiser as the honorary co-pilot for Sheppard Mullin’s “Sheppard Pullin” Special Olympics Plane Pull team in the Long Beach
A large part of Jared’s contribution to Special Olympics is due to his involvement and leadership in the Global Messengers program, which he joined in 2017 to spread awareness of Special Olympics’ mission.
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Michael Leon, a Special Olympics Tri-Valley athlete and Global Messenger, was presented with the Richard L. Van Kirk Outstanding Outreach Achievement Award in September 2018 for his work in advancing the Special Olympics movement.
Michael, a Global Messenger since 2015, speaks to a number community groups, churches and schools about living with autism and type-1 diabetes. The 20-year-old’s duties this past year included serving as the Master of Ceremonies at Tri-Valley’s Regional Spring Games and a speech at Haddon Elementary School in Pacoima for Respect Week.
This past year, he competed in basketball and soccer, as well as Team Wellness – a health and wellness program designed to provide athletes a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Kim Villa, a program specialist for Special Olympics Tri-Valley, said his involvement as an athlete “has given him the confidence to do things he never imagined possible.”
“Michael is extremely aware of the responsibility that goes with being a Global Messenger,” she said. “When speaking to groups, he never fails to mention that he represents many other individuals with intellectual disabilities who just want to be respected and treated like others on and off the playing field.”
Away from Special Olympics Southern California events, he does data entry at Vaughn Learning Center and works in the preschool classroom. He also volunteers twice a week in Children’s Ministry at Montrose Church and every summer spends a week as a counselor at Vacation Bible School.
Presented annually since 2001, the award is named after Special Olympics Southern California’s first president.