The Special Olympics are returning to Revelstoke and are looking for help

Special Olympics BC is returning to Revelstoke after an eight-year hiatus and the response from the community has been positive so far.

“I’ve already found three potential volunteer coaches,” Whitney Kendrick, the new SOBC – Revelstoke Volunteer Coordinator, said in a statement released on Friday, July 4

Executive Committee members have set their sights on establishing bowling and aquatics programs in the fall and possibly alpine or nordic skiing and curling for the winter. They also plan to develop youth programming through SOBC programs such as Active Start or FUNdamentals. The Active Start and FUNdamentals programs are new sport initiatives developed by Special Olympics BC to teach basic motor and sport skills through fun and positive movement experiences for children with intellectual disabilities.

Kendrick said she is excited about “giving our kids and youth a chance to experience sport in a supportive environment.”

Craig Brown, the new SOBC – Revelstoke Local Coordinator was one of the first people contacted by Cyra Frisk, SOBC Manager, Community Development for Region 1, about restarting sport programs in Revelstoke. Brown, who is the Executive Director of the Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society, believes the community will be very supportive of having Special Olympics BC back in Revelstoke.

“The agency I work with provides services for adults with developmental disabilities and from that involvement, I am aware of a group of individuals who may very well want to participate,” Brown said. “As well, this community is known for its support of our clients and enthusiasm to be involved and make a difference, so I believe the response will be very positive.

“Most exciting is being able to enable individuals to participate and to shine,” said Brown.

The executive, which started coming together in May, will now focus on developing a fundraising and a public relations campaign over the course of the summer. Much of this will fall under new SOBC – Revelstoke Public Relations Coordinator, Melissa Jameson, who is also getting involved with Special Olympics for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know more about the organization,” Jameson said in the statement. “I think I’m most excited about the opportunities being provided, not only for the athletes, but for the community as a whole. It’s a great way to bring together community and to celebrate abilities.”

She said they are still looking for others to participate, either on the local board, as coaches or assistance with special events.

To get involved with SOBC – Revelstoke and help provide opportunities for local athletes, please contact members of the executive at sobc.revelstoke@gmail.com.

Also, anyone interested in participating in Special Olympics to learn a new sport and make new friends should contact then at sobc.revelstoke@gmail.com.