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BC Special Olympics may fold in Squamish

Community

BC Special Olympics (BCSO) representatives are organizing a volunteer recruitment drive in Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵin an effort to avoid shutting down its local program.

Lack of volunteers has threatened the sport program that involves 14 local athletes, so BCSO has launched a community-wide recruitment drive, which is culminating in an information session at the Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵPublic Library Thursday (May 5) from 6 to 8 p.m.

"A lot of people know about Special Olympics in general but they don't know necessarily that it's in Squamish," said BCSO Manager of Program Development Natalie D'Angelo.

Representatives presented to local organizations, distributed brochures and posters through town during National Volunteer Week last week (April 18 to 22).

And on Thursday (May 5), they'll be giving a public presentation at the library detailing local operations and showing a video of athletes.

BCSO offers year-round sports programs in 48 BC communities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing them with opportunities to develop social skills, cultivate friendship, strive for and achieve goals and increase their self-esteem.

"We definitely need volunteers in order for the program to continue here," said D'Angelo. "If we can get volunteers to come out and listen to the presentation, it might interest some people to volunteer. At the of the day it's our athletes who are going to not have a program.

"We really want to ensure that doesn't happen."

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