Recap of successful winter and look-ahead to an exciting spring!
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March 2024
Sport & Programs Spotlight
Bring a Buddy to experience the joy of SOBC!
Bring a friend to meet the amazing athletes and find out how much fun it is to participate with Special Olympics BC!
SOBC athletes and volunteers who are interested in participating must inform their head coach, as they will be responsible for setting up Bring a Buddy days for their programs.
➡️ Register here
➡️ Learn more about Bring a Buddy
➡️ Questions? Contact SOBC Engagement Coordinator Donna Ma at dma@specialolympics.bc.ca.
More stories and resources
We are looking for volunteers for our upcoming SOBC Try-It Days! These events are a great way to welcome anyone with an intellectual disability who wants to try a new sport!
➡️ Salt Spring Island Try-It Day: March 25, 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Register here
➡️ Vancouver Try-It Day: April 6, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Register hereSOBC Annual Awards are coming! Each year, we are honoured to recognize the exceptional contributions and achievements of SOBC athletes, volunteers, and sponsors through Annual Provincial Awards. Nomination forms for the 2024 Awards have now been sent out!
➡️ Make sure to submit nominations by April 7 (awards@specialolympics.bc.ca)Safe Sport Spotlight:
At Special Olympics BC programs and competitions, we value the importance of fair play and creating an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Special Olympics Canada and its Chapters provide individuals with an Appeal Policy and Dispute Resolution Policy to communicate openly and use problem-solving strategies to resolve any disputes. Find more SOBC Safe Sport resources- SOBC Coach and Volunteer Development Opportunities:
➡️ Volunteer Professional Development Series: Volunteer Recognition – Mar 20
➡️ SOBC Coach Development Workshop with Canucks Autism Network – Apr 3
➡️ SOBC – Campbell River Safe Sport Bullying and Harassment Workshop – Apr 24
Fundraising Spotlight
2024 Polar Plunge made waves for Special Olympics BC
What a big splash for the 2024 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC! This year’s event raised more than $310,000 for SOBC! 🌊
Brave Plungers got bold and cold at in-person events across the province and found creative ways to take the Plunge from home. Thank you to all the Plungers, donors, and supporters who made this year's event such a big success! ❤️
More events and opportunities
- The 2024 Auction for Athletes is just around the corner, returning April 15 to 18! With the support of our friends in the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, this popular online auction will help fuel Special Olympics BC's year-round programs, events, and opportunities
for SOBC athletes.
➡️ Help spread the word about the opportunity to bid in the Auction for Athletes! It's a great way to support SOBC and win premium prizes like cars, dining and travel experiences, sport and lifestyle items, and so much more. Learn more
- Meet a sponsor: Empire
Empire is a proud National Partner of Special Olympics Canada. Since 2016, they have contributed more than $6 million in food and funds to support Special Olympics athletes and programs across Canada! Read more
Do you work for a Special Olympics BC sponsor? Please let us know!
Competition Spotlight
#SOTeamBC2024 triumphed together at National Games
What an incredible week of competition, friendship, and empowerment for Special Olympics Team BC 2024! 141 athletes, 50 coaches, and 14 mission staff stepped up to the spotlight and showcased their amazing abilities at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024.
SO Team BC 2024 showed up to competition with great confidence, collecting 54 gold, 45 silver, and 36 bronze medals, totaling up to a whopping 135 medals! Amidst all the victorious podium finishes, athletes also connected with new and old friends from across the province, and created countless memories that will last a lifetime.
"From the bottom of my heart, this is my first National Games, and I want to dedicate it to each and every single one of you, those who have helped me and been there for me. And I am also dedicating this to my family back home, because I know they're proud of me."
-SOBC – Quesnel snowshoeing athlete Scott Jonasson
📰 Read our recap story
➡️ Visit www.soteambc2024.ca to find results, photos, livestreaming recordings, and more!
More stories
- 2024 Summer Regional Qualifiers are now underway! As part of the Special Olympics Games cycle, SOBC Locals and Regions around the province are hosting Regional Qualifiers throughout the spring and summer of 2024, where athletes compete for the chance to advance to the 2025 SOBC Provincial Summer Games in Prince George! Find more details
Health Spotlight
Healthy Athletes screenings promote #InclusiveHealth everywhere
Big cheers for health! Healthy Athletes screenings were a huge success at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 and in Victoria! These are vital opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to receive free health screenings, education about health, and referrals for necessary treatments.
In Victoria, attendees participated in Healthy Hearing, Health Promotion, and Fit Feet screenings facilitated by volunteer health professionals. Most notably, this event featured Fit Feet for the first time in over four years!
At the 2024 National Games, athletes participated in complimentary health screenings offered in five disciplines while in Calgary. This was a great opportunity for them to connect with fellow athletes and volunteers about health!
"This is my first Healthy Athletes screening. I'm learning a lot and I'm enjoying myself! I think it's a good thing to attend and the volunteers are doing an awesome job. I wouldn't change a thing!”
-SOBC – Kimberley/Cranbrook athlete Daryl Mayer at National Games
More opportunities and resources
- Registration for virtual Health Messenger/Health Hero training is now available! Athletes who participate gain the technical skillset and support to become health advocates and share their unique perspectives with their community.
➡️ Participants can sign up for any of the available one-hour sessions that will run from 6 to 8 p.m. from March 25 to 28. Learn more and register
- The Champions for Inclusive Health Stakeholder Coalition issues regular newsletters that challenge the status quo and contribute to achieving health equity for individuals with intellectual disabilities. If you are interested in receiving these monthly newsletters, let us know! (health@specialolympics.bc.ca)
Health Tip: Our friends at Safeway and Thrifty Foods are committed to helping Special Olympics athletes support their health! Check out the Sobeys Nutrition Corner for tons of helpful resources.
Story Spotlight
Special Olympics has played an instrumental part in Ron Greenhorn’s life for over 30 years. The SOBC – Nanaimo athlete has competed in multiple sports over the years enjoying all the memorable friendships, competitions, and experiences.
Greenhorn recently competed with pride as part of Special Olympics Team BC 2024 at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024! This was his first National Games for alpine skiing, and he crushed his goals. He successfully skied his way to a silver and bronze medal!
➡️ Read more about Ron
➡️ Suggest people for future profiles
More Updates and Resources
- Coaches and volunteers can complete their SOBC registration online! Everyone is required to register annually in order to be properly enrolled in their programs. Click here to register
➡️ Online registration instructions for new coaches and volunteers
➡️ Online registration instructions for returning and existing coaches and volunteers
If you have any questions, please contact your local community or Roxanna Kong at registration@specialolympics.bc.ca.
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We always welcome feedback on Special Olympics BC's e-newsletter! Please contact SOBC Communications Coordinator Jacob Lee at jlee@specialolympics.bc.ca with your ideas.
