• My Account
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • You are in   Change Location
    Select Location
Search
About Us

Each September, Consolidated Communications employees, family members and community volunteers host the Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) for Illinois Special Olympian Athletes from east central Illinois. It’s an exciting day filled with fun, food, music, entertainment and noncompetitive games on the grounds of Lake Land College. Every participant truly emerges a winner!

From its beginnings with just a few hundred Special Olympian Athletes and volunteers, SOFF now attracts nearly 500 Special Olympians and some 1,000 or more volunteers who run the games, serve lunch or act as Friends-for-a-Day for the Special Olympian Athletes.

SOFF 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 on the grounds of Lake Land College! 

When is the Next SOFF Event?

We're looking forward to celebrating our 42nd anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 on the grounds of Lake Land College, Mattoon, Ill. Mark your calendars and plan to join us! 

When Did SOFF Begin?

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 and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System to serve on the planning committee for this popular community event.

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) Volunteer or Friend-For-A-Day

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 (LLC) Volunteer or Friend-For-A-Day

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! 

How Can I Volunteer?

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@consolidated.com.

How can I register an Athlete?

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.

Where can I get more information?

Stay in touch with SOFF by visiting our Facebook Page, emailing SOFF@consolidated.com, follow us on Twitter @mySOFFtweets and Instagram @mySOFFsnaps.

Special Olympics Family Festival
You can
Help!

What Is the role of a Friend-For-A-Day?

Watch Video
Video
SOFF Highlights

The spirit and tradition of
caring for others

Residential
Business
Wholesale
About Us
Residential Support
Business Support
Account Support
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Terms, conditions, charges and restrictions apply. Speed and uninterrupted service not guaranteed.
Not all services available in all areas. Services and pricing subject to change.

© 2025 Consolidated Communications

Privacy Policy, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Notice at Collection, Broadband Consumer Labels and other Terms & Policies. Notice at Collection