Special Olympics Family Festival
Proudly Supporting Special Olympics Athletes Since 1984.
SOFF 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 on the grounds of Lake Land College!
This September 19, the grounds of Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois will transform into a tent city of games and activities for a magical celebration for more than 600 Special Olympics Illinois Athletes.
The Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) has come to life every Saturday for the past 44 years thanks to the partnership between the employees of Fidium, First Mid Bank & Trust and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System.
SOFF is a one-of-a-kind celebration of fun, games and friendship, bringing athletes from Special Olympics Illinois Region H, I, J and K together with more than 1,000 community volunteers.
You can be a part of the magic as a volunteer!
SOFF: A Lasting Legacy of Inclusion and Service
SOFF began in 1984 with a simple but powerful idea: to encourage volunteerism, inclusion and community connection. The vision was shaped by the late Richard A. “Dick” Lumpkin, then president of Consolidated Communications; the employees of Consolidated Communications; and the late Midge McDowell, then Area 9 Director for Special Olympics Illinois Area. Together, they created what would become a one-of-a-kind celebration for Special Olympics athletes and a cherished volunteer tradition for generations of employees, families and community members.
More than 40 years later, it has grown into a one-of-a-kind celebration, bringing together hundreds of athletes and more than 1,000 volunteers each September to the grounds of Lake Land College for a day of fun, games and friendship.
Midge and Dick remained devoted to SOFF throughout their lives, continuing their involvement until their passing in 2016 and 2019, respectively.
Today, the SOFF legacy lives on and is a cherished community tradition, powered by employees of Fidium (formerly Consolidated Communications), First Mid Bank & Trust, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System and community representatives.
See what SOFF is all about and join us!
We’re gearing up for SOFF 2026 on Saturday, September 19, 2026 and we need your help as a Friend-For-A-Day or general event volunteer. Watch this quick video to learn more about the event and how your volunteerism is making an impact.
SOFF frequently asked questions.
We're looking forward to celebrating SOFF on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 on the grounds of Lake Land College, Mattoon, Ill. Mark your calendars and plan to join us as a Friend-For-A-Day or general event volunteer.
SOFF began in 1984 in Mattoon, Illinois as an effort to develop a program to involve Consolidated Communications employees in the community. Today, Special Olympics International in Washington, D.C. calls it the “biggest event of its kind in the world." As the event has grown, Consolidated Communications invited representatives from:
First Mid Bank & Trust 
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System 
to serve on the planning committee for this popular community event.
Eastern Illinois University provides a large number of our Friend-For-A-Day volunteers for SOFF.
Registration forms will be available at 1212 Buzzard Hall closer to the event date and host a volunteer meeting on campus the week of SOFF.
Watch this space for more information!
Lake Land College provides a large number of our Friend-For-A-Day and event volunteers for SOFF.
Registration forms will be available at the Student Life Office closer to the event date and host a volunteer meeting on campus the week of SOFF.
Watch this space for more information!
Registration will open in Spring for the 2026 event.
In the meantime, think about how you could help. We'll need Friend-For-A-Day volunteers (our biggest need!), general event volunteers, help with set up and tear down, and more!
At SOFF we have a job for everyone, whether you want to help with our games and activities, dress as a costumed character or help with registration. However, we feel the most rewarding job as SOFF is volunteering as a Friend-For-A-Day. That's right - all you need to do is be a friend to an athlete and escort them through the tent city of games and activities and just have fun!
If you have any questions, please email SOFF@fidium.com.
If you want more information about registering an Athlete for future SOFF events, please contact Vanessa Duncan, Region I Assistant Director - Development, Special Olympics Illinois.
Guests at the Special Olympics Family Festival must be registered Special Olympics Athletes with valid medical applications on file with Special Olympics Illinois. Athletes from Regions H, I, J and K in Illinois are invited to participate.
Stay in touch with SOFF by visiting our Facebook Page, emailing SOFF@fidium.com, follow us on Twitter @mySOFFtweets and Instagram @mySOFFsnaps.