One of over 60 groups planning on attending the Olds Community Showcase this week is Special Olympics Olds & District.
Chairperson Karen Mengersen says they will be there to sign people up for registration if they are interested on Thursday evening from 5 until 7pm on the auxiliary ice surface at the Olds SportsComplex.
According to Mengersen, their full year includes 11 different sports.
Mengersen anticipates having over 120 athletes as part of Special Olympics Olds & District this season with most of them being involved in bowling. She says “it is just so wonderful to be able to help these members of our community, our Special Olympics athletes, to be able to participate in a sport that gives them a strong self-esteem and makes them feel as valued members of the community – and the smiles are fantastic.”
If you are interested in volunteering with them, contact Karen by phone at 403-559-8265 or email at karen.mengersen@gmail.com. Mengersen says “we need help with our swimmers. We have some new swimmers coming this year and we can always use help there. Bowling, I can use help on the lanes just to keep the lanes organized and cheering the athletes on. It is just always nice to have extra people helping out with any of our sports.”
She adds, Special Olympics Olds & District covers an area as far south as Carstairs, north to Innisfail, west to Sundre, and east to Trochu.
Mengersen points out that they will also have some members coming from Olds College in the Transitional Employment Program (TEP).