The 2017 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games didn’t only leave a lasting impression on the over 900 athletes who competed in summer sports, but it also left a permanent mark with the local Special Olympics program when the Games Organizing Committee presented them with a cheque of $52,852.
"[The funds] are a great blessing for our program here in Medicine Hat," said Jaelynn Funk, Chairperson of the Special Olympics Alberta-Medicine Hat. “It has allowed us to create a new sport program- floor hockey. As well, we now have the opportunity to host coach competition certification training in Medicine Hat.”
Since the Medicine Hat Summer Games, the program has seen a surge of volunteer interest to be part of the local program.
“Since the summer games, we have gained many more volunteers making it possible for us to have more resources. This increase in volunteers also allows us to open up to more athletes and different programs,” said Funk.