Special Olympics is going ahead with plans for registration for the 2021-22 season on Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m. at SCACL offices in Sechelt. If you feel unsure about in-person attendance, you may also register by email or by snail mail. If you need more information, please contact registration coordinator Allyson Pearson at imaparadis@dccnet.com.
Everyone in our Special O Local wishes all the best for longtime athletes Candice Garrett and Wes Harrison, who are moving to Alberta. They have been members of SOSC for 17 years and have made many, many friends and connections over that time.
Wes will always remember his gold medal in bocce at the provincial games in Kamloops. He is sad that there are no sports happening on the Coast currently, but fondly recalls swimming, soccer, bocce, curling and softball. Pat Stuart reminded me that Wes was on the very first Sunshine Coast curling team to attend the 2019 provincial finals in Vernon. He’ll always remember his close-knit team members, and being my buddy. (Thanks Wes!) He knows it’ll be strange going to a new province, but as John, his caregiver says, he’ll be living on the waterfront just a 15-minute walk to a bus stop – a bus that not only plays music onboard but is also free!
Candice will miss her friends and sports here, but welcomes the new change with an upbeat attitude that she’ll soon join new sports and make new friends in Alberta. Her favourite sport is basketball and she always loved “kicking butt” at all the tournaments. Candice wishes to thank her coaches for all the skills they taught her.
Speaking briefly to John, he reminded me of SOSC’s humble beginnings with bowling being the only available sport. Then he and his wife Diane began a swimming program and that eventually snowballed into the wonderful sports programs we have today. He is confident that Candice and Wes’s new life in Cold Lake will offer both work opportunities and, of course, Special Olympics.
We shall miss this Special O merry family troupe, and we know they will always remember us. Best of luck all! Stay in touch.
At this time, the call for new volunteers and coaches is more important than ever. The continuation of programs depends primarily on the number of coaches and volunteers available. If you or someone you know are interested, please email volunteer coordinator Marney Qually at ronandmarney@gmail.com. Remember, training is free.
Finally, a warm thank you goes to our good friend Chuck Bertrand, who made a donation to SOSC in memory of his beloved wife Annette, former executive member and our biggest champion.
