A Pinellas County man is staging a 12-hour run from sunrise to sunset in order to raise funds for Special Olympics Florida – West Coast chapter. On March 5th, Joe Rosenberg will start his run with the sunrise at the St. Pete Pier and run throughout the day to finish his endeavor at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs as the sun dips behind the Gulf.

Rosenberg is an avid runner who has been a long-time supporter of the Special Olympics, regularly volunteering with his wife and cheering on two of his cousins who competed in the games themselves. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics, and Rosenberg came up with this fundraising idea as a way to commemorate the occasion and support the local chapter that has meant so much to him and his family.

Already, the gofundme for the fundraiser has surpassed its original goal, and Rosenberg is continuing to use the run as way to boost awareness and support for the organization.

Special Olympics provides empowerment for those in need

“During the last 50 years, two of my cousins were Olympians and I personally saw the impact Special Olympics made in their growth, confidence, and well-being,” Rosenberg said. “Of course, in that time as well, both my wife and I have volunteered at many events and met countless other athletes who have left permanent marks on our hearts. All of these things, and more, are reasons for my choosing S.O. as an organization to create this fundraiser for.

The mission of Special Olympics, according to the organization, is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Find more information on Rosenberg’s run here.