The Special Olympics British Columbia (SOBC) will be taking place in Kamloops, Feb. 19-22, 2015. If you weren’t able to attend or volunteer for the event the last time Kamloops hosted SOBC then you missed an incredible experience. The athletes are all individuals with developmental disabilities, and for them, it is all about participation rather than the hunt for bronze, silver or gold medals, even as they are competing for those medals. These amazing athletes cheer each other on and celebrate each win even if it is not their own.
To put on an event as large as Special Olympics British Columbia takes over a thousand volunteers. Here in Barriere we have a great tradition of volunteerism and SOBC is hoping that the Barriere volunteers will help out. You can volunteer either at the venues in Kamloops, or up at Sun Peaks. For those who can cross-country ski, downhill ski or snowshoe, the Nordic and Alpine events need gatekeepers and course marshals.
You don’t need to be a great skier or snowshoer but you do need some basic skills. The curling venue and ice skating venue will need volunteers for various positions, but also will need people with curling experience and ice skating experience.
Additional volunteers are needed for preparing lunches and handing them to the athletes at all venues, volunteers who have medical certificates for both the events and at the athletes housing, volunteers for driving buses, volunteers for the opening and closing ceremonies, at the doors of the events and so on.
If you would like to volunteer for SBOC, you can contact the volunteer coordinators at the following: sobcgameskamloops.ca and: games@specialolympics.bc.ca Or call the volunteer office in Kamloops at 250-828-3822.
For Barriere volunteers contact: Dawn McCormick 250-672-5699 or ragtopgirl1@yahoo.com
Please volunteer and help change lives through sports.
Submitted by Dawn McCormick