HIGH 5 CLUB

Special Olympics Ontario is proud to announce the launch of the High 5 Club Member Program, an innovative initiative focused on athlete empowerment and community engagement. Athletes now have the opportunity to be more actively involved in the promotion of the movement.

Special Olympics athletes are encouraged to share their gifts and talents with society. Significantly, athletes are empowered to be leaders and teach others about acceptance and understanding. The High 5 Club is a platform that provides encouragement, motivation and empowerment.

Through sports training and competition, Special Olympics help athletes find joy, acceptance and success. Members gain the confidence that comes with achievement. They enjoy the opportunity to use their new abilities and skills to take on new challenges.

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GIVE A TOONIE. SHARE A DREAM.
MAY 4-26

On May 4th STAPLES Business Depot will begin its 14th year hosting the “Give a Toonie. Share a Dream” fundraising campaign. The event will run for 23 days and will end on May 26th. Customers are encouraged to visit a STAPLES location in their community, make a donation and share a dream. Special Olympics athletes, coaches and volunteers will be visiting stores across Ontario to show STAPLES staff and customers their support of the fundraising campaign.

Please visit STAPLES.ca for the nearest location.

Burlington School Named After
Founder of Special Olympics, Dr. Frank J. Hayden

On Wednesday April 17th, the Halton District School Board trustees named the new secondary school in the Alton community in north Burlington. The names were chosen from a shortlist of names collected on-line and in suggestion boxes in neighbourhood schools and public libraries. The new school will be known as Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School.

Click here to read the Halton District School Board's media release of the school naming.

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Photo from the School Board presentations, (left-right);  Jacqueline Newton (the school's principal),
Rob Eatough (School Superintendent), Linda Ashe (Vice President, Special Olympics Ontario),
Deputy Chief Andrew Fletcher (Halton Regional Police Service), Debbie Boycott (Parent of SOO athlete
and Volunteer with SOO), Herb Garbutt (Reg. Sports reporter for Oakville Beaver and Burlington Post).

A very big Thank you to the above noted individuals who played a major role in having the school named after such an inspirational man! A wonderful honour for Dr. Frank Hayden and for the entire Special Olympics family!

2013 BAY STREET HOOPS AND BUCKSTER CUP A SLAM DUNK!

The 19th Annual Bay Street Hoops charity basketball tournament took place April 4-6 at the University of Toronto Athletic Centre. It was another great success ... Special Olympics Teams particpated by also playing some hoops. Athletes played 3-on-3 basketball in the first ever Buckster Cup. The Buckster Cup is named after Glenn Buckley, a past member of the Special Olympics Ontario Board of Directors who passed away earlier this year.

Special Olympics Ontario is delighted to announce and unveil the “Buckster” Cup in his honour, presented to the winning teams in each Special Olympics Division of the Bay Street Hoops event.  It is a very fitting tribute to an individual who treated everyone with fairness, equity and respect … values we strongly believe in within the Special Olympics movement!

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