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Creating an Impact: One Athlete’s 30+ Years with Special Olympics NorCal

December 17, 2025 by Carrie Parecki

As 2025 comes to a close, Special Olympics Northern California is thankful for many great moments that have made our 30th anniversary year so “Special!”

It’s been a year filled with joy and determination. Athletes braved their attempts at new challenges, while volunteers, coaches and other supporters helped create an impact and drive unity in communities all across Northern California.

Our recently released 2025 Impact Report details some of the highlights and accomplishments from the past year in all aspects of our organization. From sports to schools, health and wellness to athlete leadership, many people stood together in showing incredible dedication to Special Olympics NorCal.

The Impact Report also includes a few inspirational Athlete Spotlights, which provide a small glimpse into the meaningful impacts felt by the children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in Special Olympics NorCal programs.

Check out one of our Athlete Spotlights: and read more in the 2025 Impact Report!

Meet Teralyn

A proud Sonoma County resident, Teralyn P. has been a dedicated Special Olympics Northern California athlete for an incredible 38 years.

Over nearly four decades, Teralyn has competed in a wide range of sports—including basketball, bocce, bowling, softball, swimming, tennis, and track & field. Her track record includes winning a gold medal in backstroke swimming at a Summer Games event at UCLA, demonstrating her remarkable versatility and commitment.

A Santa Rosa Junior College graduate and current business major, she continues to inspire both on and off the field as an Athlete Leader and Health Messenger. Teralyn has spoken on behalf of Special Olympics at the State Capitol, Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) events, and other statewide gatherings.

“{Special Olympics} changed my life where I have made a lot of friends,” said Teralyn.

Read more about athletes like Teralyn who are creating an impact in our Impact Report, and support athletes by becoming a coach or volunteer or attending an upcoming event!

About Special Olympics Northern California: 

Special Olympics Northern California empowers children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports. Through the power of sport, we promote inclusion, acceptance, and the development of life skills, building stronger communities for one athlete at a time. 

Thank You to the Volunteer Coaches of Special Olympics Northern California

October 10, 2025 by Carrie Parecki

Each October, National Coaches Day celebrates volunteer coaches who dedicate their time to mentoring athletes and enriching our communities. We’d like to recognize the incredible dedication and impact of Special Olympics Northern California coaches who volunteer their time and impact the lives of athletes, on and off the field.

Volunteer coaches play a vital role in instilling confidence in athletes, teaching skills and building more unified communities.

What’s it really like to volunteer as a coach for Special Olympics NorCal? Athlete leader Devon sat down with Chris Gonzales, our 2023-2024 Coach of the Year who’s been volunteering in Santa Clara County for eight years, to ask about his favorite coaching experiences and what makes him come back year after year. Here’s what Chris has learned from nearly a decade of volunteer coaching.

5 Questions with Volunteer Coach Chris Gonzales

Q: How Long Have You Been Involved in Special Olympics?

I started out eight years ago with just a few sports and then suddenly, I got wrapped into more. I’ve become addicted to coaching with Special Olympics Northern California, so I do it almost all year round. Honestly when I do take some downtime over the winter, I miss it.

Q: What Makes You Come Back Year After Year?

It’s got to be the athletes and the coaches! There’s such a great camaraderie between us. Once you start to get familiar with the athletes you get passionate about being able to teach them how to be better athletes, and to do better for themselves. Just being around the athletes and seeing the excitement they bring to everything inspires me.

Q: Any Favorite Memories or Moments That Stand Out?

I have so many! Special Olympics athletes are exciting to watch. For example, some of our track & field athletes love to cheer themselves on as they run. It’s just the sweetest thing. I love watching them finish a race, and they just turn around and are so proud of themselves. And we are so proud of them for all the work they’ve put into their sport. It’s just beautiful.

Ultimately what stands out most is whenever you see an athlete achieve something they haven’t achieved before!

Q: What Would You Tell Someone Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Coach for this Organization?

Just try it! It’s so addicting. When I started, I did track & field because that was my experience. But then you start to build a relationship with the coaches and athletes, and it becomes a giant family. Once you start doing one, you tend to start doing more because you realize how fulfilling it is.

Q: What Does Special Mean to You?

Special means community. Special Olympics has built this beautiful community, across counties, where you can be friends forever. It just keeps bringing you back time and time again to be with the coaches and to be with the athletes.

To watch the full interview with Chris Gonzales, visit our YouTube channel, The Special Report

Interested in Being a Volunteer Coach for Special Olympics?

Special Olympics Northern California coaches bring enthusiasm, commitment and a positive attitude to each practice, event and competition. They enrich the lives of athletes in many life-changing ways and instill skills and confidence that athletes can use to succeed in school, get a job and find confidence in social situations and in life.

Volunteer coaches also get a lot in return. They build meaningful relationships with athletes and their families and become inspired by their perseverance in the face of numerous obstacles. By teaching and learning from athletes, coaches gain a new perspective in their own lives that helps to create more unified communities.

Want to hear what other coaches have to say? Check out this Coaches recruitment video

Learn more and apply to be a Coach today!

Bike the Bridges: One of the Best Charity Bike Rides in the Bay Area

September 19, 2025 by Carrie Parecki

Group standing at scenic overlook at Bike the Bridges Bands & Brews

If you’re looking for one of the best charity bike rides in the Bay Area, come join us at Bike the Bridges | Bands & Brews! Our signature ride for athletes returns on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Waterfront Park in Martinez.

For 16 years, this one-of-a-kind event has been bringing together cyclists, families, corporate teams, craft beer fans and community supporters for a truly special day of cycling and celebrating. All Bike the Bridges proceeds support Special Olympics Northern California athletes and their families.

Here are the Top 5 Reasons to make Bike the Bridges | Bands & Brews your go-to charity bike ride.

You’ll Support Special Olympics Northern California Athletes

Every mile you pedal makes an impact. Bike the Bridges riders help Special Olympics NorCal provide free, year-round sports, health, schools and leadership programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Your ride directly fuels opportunities for our athletes to shine on and off the playing field, building confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills.

Special Olympics athletes live by the creed, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

When you ride with Bike the Bridges, you’re part of that message of bravery, too.

Scenic Routes Across the Carquinez & Benicia Bridges

Overlook from Bike the Bridges Bands and Brews

Not many rides give you the opportunity to cycle across not one, but two iconic Bay Area bridges! Bike the Bridges routes take you through stunning landscapes with scenic views of the Carquinez Strait, rolling hills and waterfront landscapes.

And unlike some rides that stick to one loop, Bike the Bridges offers four different routes, from a fun, flat 25-mile pedal along the waterfront to a challenging 100K course that climbs nearly 5,000 vertical feet through Briones Regional Park and the Pinole Valley Watershed.

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or someone who hasn’t biked much in a while, you’ll find a route that inspires and connects you with like-minded riders.

A Festive Outdoor Afterparty with Craft Beer and Live Music

Corporate Group at Bike the Bridges Bands & Brews

After the ride, the Bands & Brews celebration begins. All Bike the Bridges routes start and end at Waterfront Park in Martinez, where lunch, live music and cold drinks await. Local breweries will be pouring some of the best craft brews in the Bay. Riders can feast on post-ride eats and drinks guilt-free, knowing they’ve earned their fill.

Along with the grub, Bands & Brews is a dance party, too! You can shake a leg with awesome local acts 3 Day Weekend (R&B Funk party sounds ) and Sixteen Scandals (80s tribute band).

Toss in party games like cornhole and plenty of shaded areas to hang with friends, Bike the Bridges | Bands & Brews has a festival vibe that keeps the energy going long after you’ve crossed the finish line.

Community and Team Building Opportunities

Athlete group at Bike the Bridges Bands & Brews

Looking for a memorable way to connect with coworkers, gather with friends or bring your sports team or cycling group together for a cause? Bike the Bridges has your back. It’s the perfect event for corporate teams to bond outside the office, and social squads to gather and make new memories with a special twist.

Bike the Bridges brings groups together, too. We’ve seen law enforcement officers ride alongside Special Olympics athletes, tech company teams pedal as part of their corporate wellness programs, and local businesses from Martinez and beyond network and connect.

The sense of unity in the community is what makes this ride one of the most rewarding charity events in the Bay Area.

It’s a Family-Friendly Ride – All Skill Levels are Welcome!

Bike the Bridges isn’t just for hardcore cyclists! We’ve designed routes for all ages and abilities.

The 25 mile ride makes a great family ride for beginners and younger kids, and the 50K route provides a fun option for casual riders looking for a little extra kick.

Serious bikers can take on longer Half Century and 100K rides, with plenty of climbing to boot.

As a bonus, all riders have the option to test themselves against their peers in the King & Queen of the Mountain Challenge, a timed, two-mile ascent up Crockett Boulevard. Winners score coveted Bike the Bridges polka-dot cycling jerseys. Are you up for the challenge?

All said, you don’t even need to ride at all to enjoy Bike the Bridges | Bands & Brews. Everyone is welcome to attend the Bands & Brews afterparty – even Fido! (Just make sure four-legged friends have leashes.) And if you want to get involved by helping out, we have plenty of volunteering options and sponsorship opportunities for you to do something special, too.

How to Register for Bike the Bridges | Bands & Brews

To sign up for the fun, just head over to our Bike the Bridges registration page. There you can select your route distance, check out some teams, and learn more about one of the best charity bike rides in the Bay Area. Stoked to see you there!