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| Ontario Special Olympics |
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***In 2005, a pilot project for Special Olympics 10 Pin bowling, sent 65
well deserving athletes to Chatham, ON for a 3 day tournament. This pilot
project included athletes that would probably never compete out of their own
region due to medical problems or low functioning skills. We also included
some higher functioning athletes to help the lower functional athletes with
bowling, social skills and make the lower functioning feel very welcomed
into the world of travel. Kingston, Richmond Hill, Oakville and Toronto
took part in the project which turned out to be HUGE success. We hope to
change the venue and athletes for this project every 4 years, but funding is
the biggest obstacle. This 3 day adventure cost $20,000. That included
rooms at the Wheel's Inn in Chatham, 2 coach buses, 3 meals a day plus
snacks and water. This was a huge undertaking, but well worth the efforts
of the coaches from the 4 cities. Penn City helped the Kingston athletes by
pledging donations of money. The athletes took pledge sheets and raised
money as well.
***In 2005, the two Kingston athletes chosen for the National Games in
Brandon, Manitoba had to raise $1200.00 each for their costs to compete in
the Games. Penn City was a HUGE help in raising this money. With the help
of Penn City, ALL the required money was raised and now the athletes are
getting excited about flying from Ottawa to Manitoba and performing to the
best of their ability. These two athletes wrote letters to Penn City
thanking them for their help and asked for the members to cross their
fingers that they do well. They said that if they won any medals, they
would go to a meeting and show them what they earned and tell of their
experience in Brandon.
***During the bowling season which runs from September to April, the Special
Olympic Athletes from Kingston travel to Toronto for 2 tournaments as there
are no other Special Olympic 10 Pin bowling in the Region for them to
compete with. Penn City helps out with the cost of the van that we take.
One of the members (Mark Larabie) is also the driver of the van and such a
huge supporter for them. He gives them a "pep" talk before they bowl and
encourages them throughout the tournament.
***In March of each year, Kingston also hosts a 10 Pin Bowling Invitational
tournament. Several of the Penn City members donate their time to help
athletes get settled and directed to the correct lanes. They also help the
scorekeepers and sell tickets to raise extra money. They have occasionally
graciously given out medals to the athletes at the end of the tournament as
well. Many of these Penn City members have been helping out with this
Kingston Invitational even before Penn City was organized. Kingston Special
Olympic 10 Pin bowling athletes are VERY fortunate to have this wonderful
group of people help us whenever we need them!!!
*****************************************************************
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The two Special Olympic Athletes from Kingston that Penn City Civitan sponsor, are back
on Ontario soil with lots of medals.
The Games were held in Brandon, Manitoba last week from July 18th to the 23rd and a great
time was had by all.
Athlete Cliff Harpell won a silver medal for the Team Event.
Athlete Jim Harpell won a silver medal for the Team Event, a gold medal for the Singles
Event and a gold medal for the All Events.
Mother and their coach, Lee, is sooooo proud of her sons and their accomplishments. I
won't know for a month or two if either of them will go on to the International games
that will be held in China in October 2007, but will let you know when I find out.
Lee |
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