At White Pines, we believe in the power of inclusivity and celebrating the achievements of all our students. Our partnership with Special Olympics has been a cornerstone of this atmosphere, providing opportunities for our athletes to showcase their talents and determination on a larger stage.
From thrilling victories to heartwarming moments of camaraderie, our athletes have consistently inspired us with their passion and dedication. Whether it’s on the track, on the field, or on the court, they exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship and resilience. Our Bocce and Soccer teams clinched the championship titles in nail-biting final matches. The energy in the gym was electrifying as all athletes demonstrated not only their athletic prowess but also their unwavering teamwork and perseverance.
One standout experience occurred when our students were part of the Tim Horton’s cookie day. We partnered with two of our local Tim Hortons stores and our student athletes worked behind the counter at both locations giving out cookies and order items. The students had an amazing time, and the staff loved working with our athletes. The owner of Tim Horton’s said that our students brought a new level of enjoyment amongst staff and the staff expressed that this had been their best day at work. By early afternoon our students seemed like they had been working at Tim Hortons for the past number of years. They felt part of the team, and the Tim Horton’s employees felt they were part of the Special Olympics team. It was late afternoon when a gentleman walked in and was approached with the friendly greeting by one of our athletes. It wasn’t long before they were engaged in a lengthy conversation. At one point we saw the elderly gentleman wipe his eyes. We went over to see if everything was alright. He started to share a story with us on how he had lost his son to a long battle with a terminal disease. He said his son was a Special Olympic athlete and that going to his games were the highlight of his life. He asked if he could stay and help out. The gentleman spent the rest of the day with us and shared many stories regarding his son and his experiences with Special Olympics. Towards the end of the shift, we had invited our local police officers to help us out. The Tim Horton’s sites were a buzz and customers coming in couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement. Towards the end of the shift our athletes were hugging and thanking the employees, the police officers and every one of them went up to thank the elderly gentleman. It was at that moment I saw him lower his head, I we went over to check on him again and asked if everything was alright. He looked up with tears in his eyes and shared that he had been having a difficult time since his son has passed. He said he had been in a bad state of depression and had not left his home in months. He had just been at a specialist’s appointment that morning for his depression. His doctor had convinced him to just take one trip out. They told him that just go out for a coffee and see how it is, make that your first step. The gentleman looked up at us and said these are tears of joy. Getting to meet your athletes and see how kind they were helped me realize that my son will live on in the good moments of Special Olympics. He said that this moment has changed his life and that he will start living again. Between the police officers, the staff the students and teachers there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We all hugged again and took lots of pictures. He has promised to come to all of our games.
We share this story not just because it’s a feel-good story, we share this story because it shows the far-reaching effects that Special Olympics has on so many people. One Special Olympic event brought together athletes, police officers, Tim Horton’s employees, community members, teachers, and a gentleman who “was brave in his attempt” came together to celebrate the ideals of Special Olympics.
As we celebrate our designation as a Provincial Qualifying School, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the coaches, volunteers, and supporters who make these moments possible. Together, we continue to champion inclusivity, empowerment, and excellence in athletics and beyond.
With warmest regards,
Carla Muto/Scott MacDonald – Department Head of Life Skills/SERT