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March 2024 Spotlight on Special Olympics

2/27/2024

 
Mike Oswald, Athlete Reporter
February. What. A. Month! Special O on the Coast definitely put the FUN in fundraising!
 
Tim Hortons Donut day was a smashing success across Canada with $884,000 raised in total. SOSC curling team and other athletes and coaches visited the Timmy’s in Gibsons and bought several donuts and encouraged fellow customers to do the same.
 
While I munched, I had a sit down with Gavyn Weiner to discuss his new certification as a Curling coach. Gavyn’s been living on the Sunshine Coast for about 4 years with roots dating back about 20 years. On top of curling, he is also getting involved with the Orca swim team. Gavyn sees the value of Special O and appreciates the enthusiasm of the athletes on the curling team.
 
 “They’re competitive but at the same time it’s a fun environment”. He hopes to work with the more competitive bunch to really develop them into big time challengers taking on Provincial and National competition.
 
All told, it was a great day. Thanks to Assistant Coach Randy for being such a great liaison with Oliver at the Gibsons Tim Hortons and for setting up such a great group photo!
 
Randy Younghusband also wears many other hats including SOSC Local and Program Coordinator working with the Executive to keep everything running smoothly. In addition to being Head Coach of the Sunshine Coast Raven Softball team and Assistant Coach for the Curling team, Randy has also been working at Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living (SCACL) as a Training and Technology Manager for about 20 years. He helps to train onboarding staff while looking after the tech and social media. Outside of S.O. Randy values sports as a tool to unite folks from all walks of life and is involved with other sports in the community. He has acted as a referee for hockey and has played badminton, fast and slo-pitch baseball.
 
You may have already heard about this year’s Plunge that runs from February 17th until March 3rd. Local athletes, community organizations and individuals gathered at Friendship Rotary Park in Sechelt on February 21st the Plunge. Clarence Li, Executive Director and Randy Younghusband, Training and Technology Manager at SCACL organized the event in association with Special Olympics Sunshine Coast. Pizza, Timbits, java and hot chocolate were supplied for the dunkers. The atmosphere for the day was bright, cheery and among the chattering teeth there were smiles aplenty.
 
Donations are still coming in and currently the total for across BC is over forty thousand. Locally, we have raised over five thousand at the time of writing.
 
As March begins, we close the Fall/Winter season with a Regional Qualifier meet for the Orca Swim Team on March 17th. We also begin making plans for the Spring/Summer sports to launch in April. Bocce, Golf, Soccer, Softball and Track will be raring to go.
 
Stay tuned for times and venues in my next article where I’ll also report the results from the Swim Meet.
 
 

    Author

    Micheal Oswald is the "media man" / athlete reporter for Special Olympics Sunshine Coast.  You can frequently find him out at the many events our local hosts, whether it be taking photos or interviewing participants and/or coaches.  His work is published in our local media and beyond, including an article in the Huffington Post.

    Micheal is also the author of the book I Am A Man Who Cries. The book is a heartfelt compilation of essays, songs and poems - many of which address the experiences and challenges Micheal has faced as a person living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 

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