A group of Special Olympics athletes in Bradford West Gwillimbury need residents’ help this weekend to raise money for team T-shirts so they can “(show) their pride in community,” said volunteer Jenny Ferrie.
A BWG chapter of Special Olympics Ontario launched last year, with a bocce team in the summer and a five-pin bowling team in the winter.
During tournaments last year, they were the only group without team shirts, said Ferrie, adding regular T-shirts are fine with bocce, but the bowling team requires collared shirts.
“Our Bradford athletes don’t have any T-shirts that show (where they are from). It’s nice if they can have something that shows their pride in community,” she said.
With volunteers expecting the shirts to cost hundreds of dollars, the group is hosting a fundraiser yard sale this Saturday.
All proceeds going toward buying shirts, and any remaining money will be used for tournament entry feeds and season-end parties for the athletes, Ferrie said.
“Please come out, purchase an item or two, and help make our athletes able to display their pride in representing Bradford this season!” she said.
The local Special Olympics bocce team meets every Thursday evening at Lion’s Park, and there is no age limit to joining; the team has members from ages 17 to 64, she said.
“The atmosphere is always very positive. The athletes are very friendly toward each other. Just having fun; that’s what they’re there for — just fun and games.”
YARD SALE
WHEN: July 6
WHEN: 9 a.m. start, to run all day
WHERE: Tupling Insurance, 198 Holland St. E., Bradford
Anyone who cannot go to the yard sale but wants to make a donation can contact Suzanne McCasey at Tupling Insurance: 905-775-3379.
For more information on becoming involved with Special Olympics in BWG, contact 1-888-333-5515 ext. 276 or email [email protected].
