Special Olympics Weyburn helps those with intellectual disabilities enjoy the love of sport and comradery with a variety of different sporting events. However, they rely on the support of volunteers in order to help make it all possible.
You may have noticed posters placed around Weyburn as the Special Olympics are looking for volunteers to help with different sports and board member positions. Jo-Ann Paxman, community manager and head coach of the five-pin bowling team with the Special Olympics, encourages anyone interested in helping to reach out.
“Special Olympics Weyburn is for anyone with an intellectual disability. I am the head coach for the five-pin bowling and it's a ton of fun just to be with them. Watch how excited they are and see their smiles. So, I mean we need volunteers for a lot of sports. Whether you're a head coach, assistant coach or volunteer occasionally, we’re open to anything.”
Pamela Mack is the volunteer coordinator with the Special Olympics Weyburn who echos the same sentiment of how fun it is to volunteer, and how impactful it is for both the athletes and the volunteers.
“We're always looking for people that have time, you know, to come and help us out. It's very rewarding. It's awesome to see them compete and have fun, you know and they get so excited for any little thing. So, it's awesome to see. We honestly wouldn't be able to run without volunteers because we just need those extra people to help out, so we're always looking for people to come and help.”
Special Olympics Weyburn are looking for volunteers for a variety of sports in both the winter and summer seasons, including bocce, basketball, curling, golf, snowshoeing, swimming, powerlifting, and a new sport upcoming for them called floorball.
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Alongside volunteering for sporting activities, they’re searching for new board members to join the team including a social media manager. For those interested in volunteering, reach out to Jo-Ann Paxman at 306-861-1555 or by email at communitymanagersow@gmail.com or Pamela Mack at 306-861-1543 and by email at volunteersow@gmail.com and check out their Facebook page to see what’s new with Special Olympics Weyburn.