Special Olympics Ontario is thrilled to share the exciting launch of our latest campaign in partnership with Empire and its family of brands, including Sobeys, Safeway, and Foodland. From June 12th to 22nd, these stores are coming together to help us raise $1 MILLION for Special Olympics athletes across Canada. This collaboration is built on inclusion, respect, and the celebration of ability and unity among athletes. Through this blog series, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories, athlete spotlights, and behind-the-scenes insights that showcase the impact of this partnership in communities across the country. Let's explore how Sobeys and Special Olympics are creating a more inclusive future, one story at a time.
Ryan Kulikowski
Meet Ryan Kulikowski: an energetic, passionate athlete whose love for life is matched purely by his dedication to sports and community. For over 15 years, Ryan has pursued his passions for bowling and baseball, and since 2013, he’s been a proud member of Special Olympics, where he got his start in track and field thanks to encouragement from a friend’s parents.
Special Olympics has become a life-changing part of Ryan’s journey. “It means everything to me,” he shares. “It gets me out of the house, keeps me active, and lets me spend time with friends and teammates.” His commitment and talent have led him to incredible achievements, including making Team Ontario twice and earning bronze and gold medals in curling and bowling. Ryan was recently named a Global Ambassador for Empire Corporation and a Brand Ambassador for Special Olympics — honours that reflect his hard work and inspiring spirit.
Additionally, Ryan works full-time as a baker at Vineland Foodland, opening the department at 6 a.m. to prep food and stock shelves. He states countlessly that the Foodland and Sobeys community holds a special place in his heart. Ryan draws inspiration from the people closest to him: his mother, who works in the deli department, and his fiancée, who’s his biggest fan and never misses a game. Whether on the field, in the bakery, or cheering on others, Ryan Kulikowski lives with purpose, passion, and pride.
Clement Bezemer Jr.
Clem Bezemer is a devoted Special Olympics athlete and a valued member of the Sobeys family. Clem embraces life with humor, passion, and perseverance. Despite living with a learning disability, Clem’s determination shines, whether it took him three summers to learn waterskiing or mastering new job skills at work.
Known for his love of puns, willingness to help others, and his positive attitude, Clem enjoys singing in the praise team with his wife, traveling, and making people laugh with his unique voices. A passionate sports fan, he cheers for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Blue Jays, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
At Sobeys, Clem starts his day by gathering carts, braving all kinds of weather with dedication, cleaning customer and employee spaces, assisting with carry-outs, and stocking shelves. His coworkers and bosses appreciate his reliability and the way he communicates clearly to stay on top of tasks.
Clem’s Special Olympics journey includes curling, basketball, bowling, bocce, soccer, and summer athletics. For him, Special Olympics is about community, exercise, travel, and friendship — all while working toward personal goals. A proud moment was when his soccer team won the qualifier, earning the chance to compete provincially.
He credits his family, teachers, Sobeys team, and Special Olympics teammates for their ongoing support. His story is one of courage, community, and commitment — on and off the field.
Owen Shields
Meet a 21-year-old Special Olympics athlete whose friendly, funny nature and strong work ethic shine both on and off the field. Known for his positive attitude and dedication, he’s passionate about bowling and a big fan of the Leafs and Blue Jays.
He works as a grocery clerk at Southampton Foodland, where he handles everything from stocking shelves and helping customers to carry-outs and propane exchanges. He values the friendships he's built with coworkers and customers, and appreciates the supportive environment his manager creates.
His Special Olympics journey began three years ago, and since then he’s competed in golf, bowling, bocce, and ball hockey. A proud moment for him was winning a medal in bowling—an achievement that boosted his confidence and pride.
With the steady encouragement of his grandparents, who’ve always supported him to do his best, he continues to grow as both an athlete and teammate. Whether it’s through sport or at work, he’s proud to be part of the Foodland and Special Olympics families.
Micheal Jacques
Meet Michael Jacques, an outgoing, funny, and positive force in every space he enters. Now 33 years old, Michael first got involved with Special Olympics Ontario when he was just 13. While he eventually realized that the competitive side of Special Olympics wasn’t quite the right fit for him, it was a life-changing experience that taught him the value of teamwork, determination, and friendship. Over the years, he’s played basketball—standing tall at 6'3″—and baseball, with a powerful swing that could hit the ball really far.
Michael’s passion for advocacy and connection shines through in everything he does. He is a dedicated public speaker and the proud author of two books, both of which share his lived experience with a disability. Using voice-to-text technology to help him write, Michael has created honest, inspiring stories that break down barriers and open minds. His journey has been guided by the support of many, especially coaches, parents, and mentors, who have encouraged him every step of the way.
For the past 14 years, Michael has also been a proud member of the Sobeys family, where he found not only employment but also deep personal support. Sobeys has been instrumental in helping him grow as an author, even helping him get his books into stores across the East Coast of Canada. To Michael, Sobeys is more than a workplace—it’s a second family.
He’s also been a guest at the Special Olympics Gala twice, including an interview with Rob Black, further deepening his connection to the SOO community. Michael continues to be a passionate voice for inclusion, sharing his story with positivity, humour, and a deep understanding of what it means to be seen, heard, and valued.