The 2024 Special Olympics Ontario School Championship Games to take place in Chatham-Kent in June are in great shape.
Chatham-Kent Police Sergeant Jason Herder told CK News Today the 2024 Games are now fully funded thanks to the generosity and support from their sponsors, businesses, community organizations, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Herder noted that any additional funds that are raised going forward will go toward enhancing the games throughout Chatham-Kent to ensure that the athletes from around the province get an experience that is "second to none."
Sergeant Herder said it amazing how quickly everybody jumped on board to help, adding he's grateful for his wonderful team.
"We can't do it without the outpouring of the community. Everyone's just all-in approach that we've had since we've announced that these games were coming," said Herder. "It's a very humbling experience for us and just comes back to how our community rallies together and behind each other and supports each other when events of these magnitudes come to our municipality."
Athletes, teachers, and sponsors gathered in Chatham-Kent Council chambers Wednesday morning to celebrate the launch of the “Sponsor a Champion” online fundraiser for the CK games.
Competitors from John McGregor Secondary School and Chatham Christian School posed for pictures and thanked presenting sponsors from Winmar Property Restoration Specialists, Enbridge Gas, Ridge Landfill Community Trust, Waste Connections of Canada, Maple Mutual Insurance, Teksavvy Solutions Inc, the Chatham-Kent Police Association, and the CK Police Services Board.
The “Sponsor a Champion” program allows friends, family members, or anyone from across the province to make a charitable donation online to send one of approximately 1,000 athletes to Chatham-Kent to participate in the Games.
Pledges of $250 or more will be recognized with a thank you letter and an event schedule for the games. Those sponsors will also be recognized on the "Sponsor a Champion" website and on social media highlighting the campaign.
Click here for more details about the “Sponsor a Champion” program.
The 2024 Special Olympics Ontario School Championship Games will be held June 10-12, 2024 at different venues across the municipality.
Most of the athletes will be housed at The University of Guelph Ridgetown College and St. Clair College in Chatham.
Athletes between the ages of 14 and 21 with intellectual disabilities and their coaches will participate in five sports; basketball, soccer, track and field, floor hockey, and bocce ball.
The basketball and bocce ball events will take place at Ridgetown College and Ridgetown High School, the soccer and floor hockey will take place at St. Clair College, and the track and field will take place at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
The opening and closing ceremonies will happen at the Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham.
Herder said the public can join the final leg of the torch run into the opening ceremonies June 11, 2024 for a $20 donation and they will get a t-shirt to commemorate the event.
Games officials noted more than 7,000 high school athletes will compete across the province during the 2023/2024 academic year to qualify for the Championships this summer.
"School Programs instill confidence, contribute to a healthier lifestyle, build lifelong friendships, and create a more inclusive society," they said.
Herder said volunteers are still wanted.
"We will be hosting a volunteer open house once those volunteers are identified as we get closer to the games," Sergeant Herder noted.
Click here to volunteer.
It's been 27 years since the last Special Olympics Ontario School Championships were held in Chatham-Kent.