Special Olympics Ontario

Last night at the Special Olympics Canada Awards Night, Carole Robb was honoured with the Jim Thompson Award! 🏆 For over five years, Carole has been an invaluable asset to Brantford Special Olympics, taking on roles as Treasurer, Secretary, and Purchasing lead. Her financial expertise and dedication have ensured athletes and coaches have everything they need, from essential equipment to travel accommodations. Beyond her official duties, Carole’s kindness and encouragement uplift everyone around her. Her leadership has strengthened her community and made an incredible impact on the lives of Special Olympics athletes and their families. Congratulations to Carole for her remarkable service and well-deserved recognition!

Last night at the Special Olympics Canada Awards Night, we celebrated Denita Minoletti as the Harry “Red” Foster Award recipient! 🏆 For the past 15 years, Denita has been a driving force behind Special Olympics Thunder Bay. Her leadership, deep operational knowledge, and dedication to inclusion have brought incredible growth and new opportunities to the community. As Treasurer and Special Events Coordinator, Denita’s commitment to athletes and families has built an inspiring network of support, fostering partnerships that enhance fundraising, athlete growth, and sport development. A devoted mother and advocate, Denita’s compassion shines through in everything she does, creating a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. Please join us in celebrating Denita’s outstanding contributions!

Last night at the Special Olympics Canada Awards Night, we celebrated Harvey Arcangeletti as the Dr. Frank Hayden Lifetime Achievement Award recipient! 🏆 Harvey’s journey with Special Olympics began in 1976 at just 15 years old, and nearly five decades later, his dedication remains unstoppable. His athletic talents span multiple sports, from athletics and bowling to softball, floor hockey, and swimming, and his commitment has taken him around the world, representing Canada at the Special Olympics World Games in Baton Rouge, New Haven, and Japan. Named Special Olympics Male Athlete of the Year in 1996 and inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Hall of Fame in 2007, Harvey’s impact goes far beyond the podium. As a passionate volunteer and leader, Harvey has been a vital part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and other community events, inspiring everyone with his unwavering dedication. Join us in celebrating a true legend within the Special Olympics movement!

We’re proud to release our 2024 Impact Report! This year, the theme “Go Beyond” highlights our commitment to growth, inclusion, and community impact. Read the stories of our athletes, volunteers, and programs, and see how we’re building an inclusive future together! soontar.io/impact-report

Meet Kristen Domingues from Caledon! Kristen is a multi-talented athlete, participating in swimming, bowling, soccer, basketball, bocce, athletics, and golf. Over the years, Kristen has made countless friends and stayed active through Special Olympics, competing at events like the 2009 Provincial Games in Windsor, the 2014 National Games in Vancouver for athletics, and the 2020 National Games in Thunder Bay for 5-pin bowling. She was even selected as an Athlete Ambassador for the 2017 Peel Region Provincial Games and had the honour of giving the Athlete Speech at the closing ceremonies. Kristen has been working at Sobeys for 5 years, helping keep the store clean. Through her job, Kristen has learned the value of teamwork, confidence, and dedication. What makes Kristen love her job is the respect she receives from her team, which makes her feel important and valued. Helping customers when they ask for her assistance also gives her a sense of pride, and she’s always excited to put on her uniform and get to work. Kristen believes Disability Employment Awareness Month is essential because it shows that people with disabilities can be valuable employees if given the chance. Having a job brings a sense of belonging, pride, and motivation for people with disabilities, and it allows them to contribute to society and feel like an important part of the community. Are you a Special Olympics athlete with a job? Complete our form for a chance to get featured! https://lnkd.in/g9E3NijQ

Swimmer Jenny Garcia visited Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®, excited to access hearing health services for the first time. As a result of Jenny’s Healthy Hearing® screening, she was fitted with hearing aids by Starkey Hearing audiologist Nelson Villalobos, and she experienced the joy of hearing her own laughter for the first time! When Jenny was asked what she was most excited about after receiving this life changing care, her heartfelt response was, "Being able to hear my family," when she returns home to Uruguay. This moment highlights the profound impact that hearing accessibility can have on individuals with IDD and their connections with loved ones. Over 5,000 health screenings were performed at the Special Olympics Latin America Games in Asunción, Paraguay including 784 audiology screenings completed in partnership between Special Olympics and #StarkeyCares. Following screenings, 97 athletes were fitted with hearing aids, free of charge! #InclusiveHealth #ASU2024

Thank you always for your amazing support Kelly Santini LLP

Join our Team! We are excited to be looking for the next Frank Hayden Endowed Chair in Sport and Social Impact. We are looking for an accomplished scholar whose research will address the role of sport in contributing to social change for those with intellectual disabilities. https://lnkd.in/ghXu7cHg

Meet Carly Bryden from Aurora! Carly is a dedicated athlete, competing in swimming and rhythmic gymnastics, with a background in basketball, soccer, baseball, and bocce. This past spring, Carly participated in the Provincial Spring Games for rhythmic gymnastics, winning a gold, silver, and two bronze medals! She had a blast staying in university dorms with fellow athletes. Carly has also competed in many swim meets and the OFSAA high school championships, proudly displaying over 50 ribbons and medals in her room! When she’s not competing, Carly has been working at Sobeys for 6 years, where she manages merchandising and quality checks, including checking expiry dates on products (especially chocolate bars and candy, her favourite!). Through her role, Carly has developed skills in time management, attention to detail, and teamwork, proving herself to be a valuable part of the team. Carly believes Disability Employment Awareness Month is important because it shows that people with disabilities are capable and want to contribute to society. She emphasizes that with patience and training, people with disabilities can become hardworking, dedicated employees, helping businesses succeed. Are you a Special Olympics athlete with a job? Complete our form for a chance to get featured! https://lnkd.in/g9E3NijQ

Meet Lisa Butler from Peterborough! Lisa is an incredible athlete, participating in floor hockey, 5 & 10-pin bowling, basketball, cross-country skiing, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, kayaking, and track & field with Special Olympics. In 2022, she qualified for Team Canada in cross-country skiing and received a special Team Canada medallion to commemorate that success. She’s also the 2022 Provincial and National Athlete of the Year, with countless other medals and memories from competitions across Ontario and Canada. Most recently, Lisa won 5 golds at a provincial track and field qualifier this summer! Lisa has been working at Tim Hortons for 2 years as a cleaner, and her role includes keeping the store tidy, sifting sugar, filling fridges, and even scooping ice for slush cups – which is her favourite! She’s also gained valuable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and multitasking. For Lisa, being part of a team and contributing to her workplace makes her feel proud and confident. Lisa believes Disability Employment Awareness Month is important because it shows that people with disabilities are capable of doing so much. She’s grateful for the opportunity her boss gave her to prove what she could do, which helped her believe in herself. Are you a Special Olympics athlete with a job? Complete our form for a chance to get featured! (link in bio)