The 2025 Give Local First recipient has been announced. Howell County Special Olympics is this year’s recipient. Each year a committee selects a local non-profit group and Give Local First fundraises for that group from March through February, concluding fundraising with the annual Give Local First Radiothon. Howell County Special Olympics Head Coach Patrick Meszaros tells Ozark Radio News that the program gives athletes social and competitive opportunities that they would not otherwise have. He said many call it a family atmosphere. Since 2014 Give Local First has raised over $250,000 that has been placed back into our area.
More details about Give Local First and Howell County Special Olympics:
In 2014 Ozark Radio Network formed Give Local First to help give back to our local communities. Each year a committee selects a local non-profit group and Give Local First fundraises for that group from March through February, concluding fundraising with the annual Give Local First Radiothon. Since 2014 Give Local First has raised over $250,000 that has been placed back into our area. Below is a breakdown on where the funds have been placed and how the Give Local First Golf Tournament has contributed and continues to grow.
Give Local First PAST FUNDRAISING:
2024 Elks Lodge Veterans Program – $16,500
2023 Foster Adopt Connect – $20,225
2022 The Diaper Resource Center – $17,500
2021- Fraternal Order of Police Show With a Cop – $18,300
2020- Birthday Blessings – $11,500
2019-2020 Christos House – $35.204.35
2018-2019 Fighting Childhood Hunger
(Rotary Clubs of West Plains, Mt. View, Willow Springs, Thayer) – $43,500
2017-2018 Martha Vance Samaritan Outreach – $30,000
2016-2017 The Agape House – $23,100 + Flooring Donation
2015-2016 Child Advocacy Center of West Plains – $15,430
2014 -2015 38th Judicial Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) $15,301
Give Local First PAST GOLF TOURNAMENT:
2024 – 85 TEAMS & RAISED $16,500
2023 – 82 TEAMS & RAISED $20,225
2022- 74 TEAMS & RAISED $17,500
2021 – 86 TEAMS & RAISED $18,300
2020 – 52 TEAMS & RAISED $11,500
2019 – 52 TEAMS & RAISED $13,721
2018 – 43 TEAMS & RAISED $11,986
2017 – 32 TEAMS & RAISED $6,345
2025 RECIPIENT
SPECIAL OLYMPICS HOWELL COUNTY (plus Oregon County)
West Plains, Willow Springs, Mtn. View, Thayer, Kosh, Thomasville
Howell County has a Special Olympics organization that offers sporting and social events for individuals with either physical or intellectual disability. We have opportunities to participate year-round!
- Approximately 50 athletes
- Basketball, softball, power lifting, bowling, track & field, volleyball, bocce, swimming and social events
- Athletes travel throughout Missouri and the organization covers vehicle rentals, gas, hotel reservations, meals, fees and equipment
- Organization depends entirely on their own fund-raising efforts and community donations to cover these costs
- They have a diverse age group, most of the athletes are in their 20’s, and most of them live in a group home setting
Give Local First Golf TournamentS!
New Location: West Plains Country Club
- 3 Man Tournament Friday April 25th
- 2 Man Scramble Friday October 24th
