Special Olympics British Columbia

🚨 Calling all researchers! Special Olympics Canada is accepting grant applications for research projects that aim to support and enhance athlete development, performance, coaching, and more. Applicants may request up to $25,000 in research funding. 💡 Special Olympics Canada is especially looking for low-burden projects that minimize disruption to athletes and volunteers, and those that focus on knowledge mobilization to ensure outcomes are accessible and impactful for the Special Olympics community. For full details, go to https://lnkd.in/eugwR3uv

Thanks to our caring community, and our generous matching donor, we raised over $100,000 for Special Olympics BC athletes this holiday season! 🙌 Funds raised will have a profound impact on athletes with intellectual disabilities as they embark on a life-changing journey to the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George this July. Competitors will return home with their lives forever changed by the skills, friendships, and confidence they develop through this amazing experience. “Special Olympics has opened a lot of doors for me. It has taught me sportsmanship. It has taught me what it feels like to be on a team and to cheer for my fellow teammates and competitors. It does not matter if you have a disability, anyone can be an athlete.” -Genny Verge, Special Olympics BC – Sunshine Coast athlete Thank you for your unwavering support in transforming the lives of Special Olympics athletes!

Love to run? This year you can lace up to make a difference for Special Olympics BC athletes with intellectual disabilities! We are thrilled to once again be part of the RUN4HOPE charity program at this year's BMO Vancouver Marathon 🏃 Raise funds by registering as a Charity Runner and selecting SOBC as your charity to support. You can also make a difference by donating to runners who are fundraising for SOBC. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gJzw7pr #RUN4HOPE #bmovm #runvan 📸: Ben Owens, RUNVAN®

Upcoming coach opportunities! 📣 Special Olympics BC offers ongoing coach training and development to support our valued volunteer coaches who provide high-quality year-round programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Check out the coaching courses coming up in the new year! SOBC Floorball Coach Development Workshop ➡️ January 25 in Richmond ➡️ Details and registration: https://lnkd.in/gA8UDJAa Special Olympics Canada Coaching Young Athletes Workshop ➡️ January 26 online ➡️ Details and registration: https://lnkd.in/gmBdUeEb NCCP SOC Introduction to Competition Workshop ➡️ January 27, 28, and 29 online https://lnkd.in/grm5wBNg ➡️ February 25, 26, and 27 online https://lnkd.in/gyzwr4rV Want to join the fun and make a difference as a Special Olympics coach? Get involved today: https://lnkd.in/ghXvDrZ4 “It brings me joy to be part of such a life-affirming and confidence-building group. I see such growth with our athletes and volunteers!” -Special Olympics BC – Smithers coach and Local Coordinator Gale Jones 🫶

Meet Corey Bennett, Special Olympics BC – Chilliwack 5-pin bowling athlete (pictured middle). 🎳 Earlier this year, he reached new heights and broke personal records at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary, bowling above his average in every game. When one game didn't go Corey's way, he felt disappointed. But for Coach Ian Davie and his 5-pin bowling team, competing isn't all about winning medals. Through words of encouragement, Corey was inspired to stay positive and celebrate his incredible progress and wins. "The most important thing is that we have a good experience and have fun." – Special Olympics BC – Chilliwack coach Ian Davie ✨ Give the gift of Games to athletes like Corey. In July, athletes with intellectual disabilities from across B.C. will bravely chase personal bests and go for gold at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George. With your donation, they can represent their community, compete in the sports they love, and be celebrated as champions. Donate before December 31 and your gift will be matched! specialolympics.bc.ca/give

Amy and Amanda, SOBC – Coquitlam athletes, met at a Special Olympics BC program and have been inseparable ever since. "Being in Special Olympics has gained me so many friendships, especially Amanda's friendship. It helps me grow as a person, not just only in Special Olympics, but outside of Special Olympics too." – Special Olympics BC athlete Amy Nelson This holiday season, give the gift of friendship and joy when you donate to Special Olympics BC! 🌟 Make your donation before December 31 and your gift will be matched! specialolympics.bc.ca/give

Are you looking an inspiring team building event for the new year? If so, then we have just thing for you – Polar Plunge® for Special Olympics BC, presented in partnership with the BC Law Enforcement Torch Run® returns February 15 to March 2! 🌊 Challenge your organization to take the plunge for Special Olympics BC! Supporters from across the province can get bold and cold while raising critical funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The 2024 event raised $310,000 to support empowering sport, youth, and health programs and we are excited to make 2025 an even bigger success! 🙌 Ready to get started? Learn more at plunge4specialolympics.com

As part of our ongoing commitment to Safe Sport and offering supportive and welcoming sport environments, Special Olympics BC staff undertake regular training opportunities, including a recent conflict management workshop provided by Now What Facilitation thanks to the support of viaSport British Columbia! 🙌

It is a privilege to have the leadership of Katie Stevens as a member of our Board of Directors. Her experience and wide-ranging views as a communications professional helps guide our organization forward with confidence. Congratulations, Katie, on your well-deserved honour!

We are so grateful to our generous sponsors and partners, whose support ensures that Special Olympics BC can continue its meaningful work of creating inclusion in our communities. ❤️ For athletes like Torben Schuffert, inclusion means belonging. “When I was in kindergarten, I was never invited to birthday parties. The other children never played with me, and they laughed at me,” he says. “My family heard about Special Olympics when I was 11 years old. Everyone was OK with me. No one laughed at me … at my first competition, I swam a few races. Even though I came in last, the whole pool was cheering my name. I felt really good about myself, and I got so much better. “By the way, now some of my Special Olympics friends have invited me to their birthday parties!” Thank you to our incredible sponsors and partners for another year of championing inclusion for deserving athletes like Torben! ----------------- ✨ Platinum Sponsors: Government of British Columbia, viaSport British Columbia, Government of Canada, Canucks for Kids Fund ✨ Event Partners: Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, motionball for Special Olympics, New Car Dealers Association of BC ✨ Gold Sponsors: Sobeys, Wheaton Precious Metals ✨ Silver Sponsors: Canaccord Genuity Group Inc., Newmont Canada, Pan American Silver Corp., Prospera Credit Union, TD, Tim Hortons ✨ Bronze Sponsors: Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Funding Innovation ✨ In-Kind & Community Partners: Heritage Office Furnishings, King of Floors, Pacific Coastal Airlines, The Province, The Vancouver Sun