Special Olympics BC volunteers power possibilities and pride
In National Volunteer Week 2026, we celebrate and thank more than 2,200 dedicated volunteers across the province who generously share their time, skills, and heart with Special Olympics BC. These inspiring individuals create critical changes in lives and communities by helping Special Olympics athletes gain opportunities, friendships, achievements, and pride through sport.
Special Olympics BC volunteers empower athletes with intellectual disabilities to build and share their skills, break down barriers, and bring people together through the true power and joy of sport.
Our volunteers make a difference through a wide range of roles, from coaching and program leadership to fundraising, training, event planning, officiating, mentoring, improving health, and so much more.
Sincere thanks to all of Special Olympics BC’s life-changing volunteers who build respect, inclusion, and opportunities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout our province.
In National Volunteer Week, Special Olympics BC Athlete Reporters took the time to share the impact of volunteers on their lives!
Athlete Reporter Micheal Oswald, SOBC – Sunshine Coast
Special Olympics volunteers matter to me because without them, I would not have the recognition from my local community, my abilities as an athlete, or the memories I treasure.
Pat Stuart, while in her former role as Local Coordinator, knew of my writing skills from speeches I had given at events and approached me to ask if I would be interested in trying the reporter role on for size. I then took it on and have managed very well, delivering regular columns for my local newspaper and writing for provincial and international outlets.
My swim coaches are also vital to my development as an athlete. In my 16 years as a swimmer, I went from someone who couldn’t even float on my back, to winning first place in the 2013 SOBC Summer Games in Langley for backstroke.
One coach I’d like to acknowledge is Gary Rogers. I joined what is now called the Orca swim team in 2010, and I found a caring, funny and welcoming friend in Gary. Despite my difficulties, he never judged me, and to this day, I love seeing his warm smile. It’s folks like him that give me the push to continue even when it’s difficult.
Taking the opportunity now to give my flowers to the late Allyson Pearson, our former longtime Volunteer Coordinator, another person who had a huge heart and a wry smile. She was easy to talk to, funny in her own right and she always knew the right words to help any athlete in their time of need. For someone like me, who sees things a little differently, I found a kindred spirit in her. I miss you, Allyson. Rest in Peace.
Now I’m going to talk about my favourite SOBC – Sunshine Coast volunteer. Helen Halet, our Public Relations Coordinator and my momma! Helen has always taken her position seriously, whether it’s ordering pamphlets or hosting an info table at community events like Canada Day, she conducts herself with grace and authority. Helen also edits all my pieces, from newspaper articles, to any speech I am set to give. I owe my bit of local fame to her 100 per cent. She’s always on the go, even when on the phone or laptop, handling biz.
Volunteers are everywhere. From the thrift stores, to the Lions Club, to Special Olympics, every one of them bringing their own little bit of magic to their respective causes. Without them, I know for a fact, our world would crumble.
So, raise your juice box, cuppa joe, or water bottle and salute these mighty folks and be sure to say THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND HAVE DONE!
Athlete Reporter David Johnston, SOBC – Dawson Creek
Special Olympics BC volunteers helped me learn how to have fun and try my best in sports, and realize that if I did not win, it did not matter as long as I had fun and connected with people. They’ve also helped with staying positive.
Special Olympics coaches and volunteers matter to me because without them these sports would not happen, and they are taking time away from their personal life to come and coach us so these sports can happen and we can travel and compete in the sports we love.
Special Olympics coaches and volunteers make me feel very happy because they show that they are dedicated in what they do and they believe in us. They have demonstrated above and beyond that they are here for us.
Athlete Reporter Miranda Orth, SOBC – Nanaimo
National Volunteer Week is from April 19 to April 25, and athletes like myself want to express what having volunteers means for us to have Special Olympics happen as a unique year-round organization!
Special Olympics coaches and volunteers matter to me because they make the organization possible for me to have practices so I can train to do my personal best at competitions!
Coaches and volunteers also matter as they help make fundraising events possible for people to learn what Special Olympics is about and it allows people to participate in their community and try it out!
A special shoutout this season to the volunteers who made the 2026 SOBC Winter Regional Qualifiers possible! Between January and April, 28 Regional Qualifier competitions took place in communities across the province, giving more than 1,100 athletes the chance to compete with pride, foster friendships, and seek to earn spots in the 2027 Special Olympics BC Winter Games.
These empowering experiences would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers who play vital roles in organizing events and programs, transform lives as coaches, and share their skills in event officiating and operations.
Special Olympics BC Athlete Reporters shared what this year’s Regional Qualifier experiences meant to them and fellow athletes!
Athlete Reporter Kerri Lipsack, SOBC – Oceanside
It all started when athletes Ian, Brandy, David, and I got invited to a city council meeting to ask for money to help with a qualifier, which they happily gave us. Then we had our Region 6 qualifier for curling at our curling rink, which was a huge success.
We had 12 teams come and play. Our Oceanside team played with Port Alberni, and we won third place in the A Division.
That made me feel happy and proud of my team. Now we wait to see if we go to provincials for curling. It would be so good if we went to Provincial Games for curling.
Next we competed in the Region 6 Qualifier for bowling in Duncan. I was so excited to go because it’s the first time it was in Duncan.
Athlete Reporter Paula Prough, SOBC – Trail
This year, the annual Wilbert Ackerman 5-Pin Bowling Tournament was also the Region 1 Bowling Qualifier, held in Trail on March 14 and 15. Teams came from Trail, Castlegar, Creston, Nelson, Elk Velley, Grand Forks and Cranbrook. We had too many teams for the bowling alley, so we had to have 2 shifts each day. On the first day after bowling we had a dinner and dance.
My goal for this tournament was to have all six games over my average, but that didn’t happen. The No. 1 highlight of the tournament was Alex from Grand Forks with a 291 single game.
I asked some athletes why they came to compete in the Bowling Regional Qualifier. Here are their answers.
- Sherry A. from Trail: To compete and have fun doing it! To catch up with friends and meet new ones.
- Robert from Creston: I came to have fun.
- Nick from Nelson: It is fun to compete.
I think tournaments are important, because you get to meet old and new friends and compete against them for prizes and ribbons that you don’t get to do in your local league.