For 46 years, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Kappa Lambda Omega (KLO) Chapter have shown up for Special Olympics Tennessee athletes, building a partnership rooted in service, community and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Founded in 1975, Kappa Lambda Omega is one of four graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® in Nashville and is made up of 341 members. The chapter sponsors programs and engages in collaborations designed to meet the needs of families and uplift the local community. That commitment to service led KLO to Special Olympics Tennessee in 1980, beginning a partnership that has continued for more than four decades.
What started as a single volunteer opportunity has grown into a longstanding tradition of service. Over the years, KLO members have supported Special Olympics Tennessee in countless ways, from helping serve meals and assisting with Opening Ceremony events to coordinating awards distribution at State Summer Games. Members have also served as timekeepers and scorekeepers at State Basketball, helping create a positive and welcoming experience for athletes.
As volunteer needs have evolved, so has KLO's involvement. But one thing has remained constant: KLO's commitment to showing up and serving athletes.
Over the last 10 years, much of the chapter's continued involvement has been driven by KLO member Yolanda Williamson, who has helped keep the partnership active and encouraged members to continue answering the call to serve.
At the heart of that commitment is a simple belief: they are there to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
And for KLO members, the impact goes both ways.
"The joy on the [athletes] faces is priceless," Chapter President Dr. Letha Woods said, describing what keeps them coming back year after year.
Whether they are handing an athlete a medal, keeping score during a basketball game or helping create a welcoming environment at a Special Olympics Tennessee event, KLO members understand that their presence matters. Their service helps create moments that athletes, families and volunteers remember long after the event ends.
After 46 years, Kappa Lambda Omega's commitment to Special Olympics Tennessee is more than a volunteer relationship. It is a legacy of service that has spanned generations and continues to make an impact in the lives of athletes across Tennessee.
For those looking for a meaningful way to give back, Dr. Woods has a simple message.
"If you are the kind of person interested in making a positive impact on the lives of others, Special Olympics is the place for you."
To learn more about engaging in volunteer opportunities, click here.