The final KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ is set for Wednesday, August 27, in support of Eastman Special Olympics.
This charity is always a special one, with athletes often stopping by to celebrate their successes with the community.
“I'm pretty sure everybody will be there that can be,” says Regional Coordinator Cathy Wiebe. “I've gotten lots of response when I sent out the message, everybody loves to come.”
She notes that athletes will be showing off new jerseys, along with medals from the recent provincial games.
“I know that there was a lot of medals went out through swimming. We had quite a few through track. Bowling's not really a part of provincial games, but lots of medals were handed out and so people are super excited about new medals.”
Last year, money raised at the BBQ helped support Will Middleton’s trip to Turin, Italy, for the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
“Just I feel like I'm crying tears inside because how the whole city was behind my back,” says Middleton. “That feels so amazing.”
He says the trip was an unforgettable experience.
“[It was] fantastic! Not too cold because we’re ‘Winnipeggers’. The most snow in Canada, so we're used to it.”
Wiebe says funds raised this year will go towards creating new programs in the region.
“We want to expand what our athletes are able to do. So we've had some people come forward to offer to start maybe looking at some power lifting, or some curling, those kind of programs out here.”
Once funding is in place, the next step will be finding coaches.
“Anybody who's interested in being a coach, we're always looking for coaches, especially for curling, and I know that probably at least one person in every household seems to curl from what I'm hearing, so I'm hoping that we can expand and add some more programs.”
Because these programs run weekly, Wiebe says they need coaches who are committed.
“Our athletes are very committed once they make a decision. And so, we need coaches who really can see the value of that commitment and being there for them.”
As a coach herself, she says the role is incredibly rewarding.
“I love being a coach. I'm a coach myself and I have to tell you there's nothing more exciting than Wednesday, when I walk in and everybody is cheering because I’m coming. I don't do anything special except show up and try to help everybody learn to swim as best as they can.”
Anyone interested in coaching can reach her at 204-999-5564.
“Anyone whoever wants to be a coach, it's such an important role in our community and Special O is becoming very much a community of our athletes, our volunteers.”
Middleton encourages people to stop by the barbeque, not only for a meal but also to support the athletes.
“Great hot dogs! Come to see my peer athletes to show them off because they worked hard this season. So, they deserve a chain of gold medal.”
The KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ takes place Wednesday, August 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Steinbach Credit Union.
Lunch is available for a minimum $2 donation, with all proceeds going to Eastman Special Olympics.
With files from the Corny Rempel