2016 Spring Games - Guelph Police Service

DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE
Issue #1
2016
Spring
Games
December 2015
Update
PROVIDING YOU WITH UPDATES ON THE GAMES IN DECEMBER, MARCH AND MAY
Journey to the 2016 Games
In 2013 the City of Guelph was honoured to
be asked to host the 2016 Special Olympics
Spring Games. It’s a unique opportunity for
the city to, not only support a great cause,
but to also raise the profile of its facilities and
highlight its commitment to inclusivity. The
Guelph Police Service is proudly taking a
leadership role in organizing the event, just
as Police Services have done in previous
Special Olympics events.
Food at the University of Guelph has
been voted #1 by the Huffington Post so
athletes are in for a treat.
The 2016 Special Olympics Spring Games are
the biggest Spring Games that Special
Olympics Ontario has held to date. There
will be close to 1,000 athletes, coaches and
team managers. There will be six sporting
events, where 600 volunteers will be needed.
Sports include: basketball, swimming,
rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, 10-pin
bowling and 5-pin bowling.
Our volunteer portal is open. We have
booked all sports venues including high
schools, bowling alleys and the university.
We are booking talent for the Opening
Ceremonies and talking to sponsors. It’s all
hands on deck to make these Games
extraordinary.
As we get closer to May 26-28, 2016, it’s
absolutely outstanding to see leadership in
action.
The University of Guelph will host the
Athlete’s Village for Games athletes and
Torch Run participants. The University will
provide food for athletes and volunteers and
will be the venue for swimming and
powerlifting.
Cam Guthrie, Guelph’s Mayor, is very excited
about hosting the Games. The city is
assisting with transportation and marketing.
It will also provide the Sleeman Centre –
home of the Guelph Storm – as the venue for
Opening and Closing Ceremonies. (video)
We hope this newsletter provides a glimpse
into our plans and progress, info you need
and details on coming events. Please share it.
IN THIS ISSUE
December
Update
Building momentum Page 2
Calling all volunteers! Page 3
With the support of everyone in Guelph and
across the province, the 2016 Special
Olympics Spring Games will be fantastic!
Cst. Chris Probst, Games Manager
[email protected]
tel: (519)824-1212x7342
Sponsors supporting Games Page 4
2016 GAMES UPDATE | Issue#1
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Building momentum
um
While it takes time to plan timelines for
events and to create all the material we need
to promote the Games, representatives,
athletes and volunteers have been out in the
community raising funds and awareness of
the Games since the summer.
um
Mohawk Raceway
Athletes, volunteers and horseracing fans
had a great time on August 15 at Mohawk
Raceway. Taylor Redmond, Special Olympics
athlete, arranged for his friend harness driver
Doug McNair and other jockeys to share part
of the purse for their race. That’s $2,800 for
the 2016 Spring Games and a good time for
everyone.
GPS Golf Tournament
Stormy skies threatened to put a damper on
the August 20 golf tournament but there’s
something about Special Olympics events
that chase the clouds away. Sixty golfers
gathered at Guelph Lakes Golf and Country
Club for a fun round, a lovely dinner and a
silent auction. Thanks to sponsors, silent
auction donors and golfers, the event raised
just over $5,000.
Delta Guelph Food Truck
Event
On September 9, long lines were an
opportunity to speak with thousands of
people about the Spring Games next May. A
contribution from all of the trucks gets us
$1,000 closer to our fundraising goal.
Strom’s Human Foosball
Every team was “#1 in Fun” at the Human
Foosball Tournament at Strom’s Farm on
October 31 and we raised over $1,000.
Costco Mall Toll
Thanksgiving weekend had people feeling
generous at the Costco Torch Run mall toll. It
raised over $6,000.
Corporate Leaders Breakfast
Chief DeRuyter hosted more than 60
business and community leaders at the
University of Guelph on October 20 to share
information and build excitement for the
Games.
P
Coming soon…
Missed our summer and fall
events? Want to see what’s
next? Mark your calendars
for:

Storm Game discount tickets:
Dec.29
 Polar Plunge: Feb.6, University
of Guelph
 Stampede Ranch Night: Feb.12
 Waterloo Regional Police Service
Chorus: April 23, 7PM, St. George’s
Church
 Special Olympics Day: April 12,
 Mud Run: May 7, Cox Creek Winery
Check out
www.SpecialOlympics2016Games.com
often for more information.
2016 GAMES UPDATE | Issue#1
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AND MORE!
It’s easy to sign up online to
volunteer for the GAMES
Buy your own #K9Hero
Have you seen the #K9Hero for the Spring Games? He’s
all over Twitter and all over the world. For $20 he could
be yours too. If you’re in Guelph, stop by the police
station and ask for your K9 hero.
Calling all volunteers
We need 600 volunteers to ensure the
Provincial Spring Games are the best Games
ever.
Volunteers help provide the opportunity for
people and communities to come together,
to share aspirations, courage and
compassion. Volunteering means you’ll be
part of something that will have an impact on
the athletes and on you for years to come.
Interested in volunteering?
Do you have a special talent you want to
share? Just want to pitch in?
Discount Storm Tickets
Love hockey and Special Olympics? Email
[email protected] and join us for a game on
December 29.
Types of volunteer skills we are looking for
include:
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Special event planning
Advanced and basic computer skills
Merchandise sales
Food handling
Photography
Communications
Sign language interpreters
Sports officiating
Sport event hosting skills
Security guards
Medical training
Opening Ceremonies ushers
Info table ambassadors
Gift bag ‘assemblers’
More and more… Share your skills
Sign up online at
www.SpecialOlympics2016Games.com
February 6, U of G, 1-4 PM
Once registered you will receive an email
invitation to complete required online
training. Additional in-person training will
also be held in the spring.
Complete your valid police records
check.
Already a Special Olympics
Volunteer?
No problem! Simply indicate that you are
already a Special Olympics Ontario volunteer
on the Spring Games form.
Does your employer have a
volunteer program?
Does your employer offer paid time to
volunteer. Why not take your volunteer day
to help out with the Games? If you are in
Guelph – and especially if your employer is a
sponsor- check with your HR department to
see if they could make accommodations for
volunteers. A number of our sponsors have
indicated that they will volunteer as a group
or allow paid time off during the Games. It’s
great for teambuilding and skill
development.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PARTNER
Thank you DENSO Canada
Many thanks to our Volunteer Program
Partner, DENSO Canada - the world’s third
largest auto parts manufacturer with a
location in Guelph’s South end. Not only is
DENSO a Games partner, DENSO employees
are looking forward to volunteering
themselves.
VOLUNTEERING INFORMATION
For more information email
[email protected]
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE
Issue #1
Sponsors supporting Spring Games
A dedicated group is hard at work talking to
businesses of all sizes and sectors, inviting
them to support the 2016 Games. The results
have been heartwarming and we’ve only just
begun.
We’ve listed our sponsors to date here for
your reference. Please support these
businesses in your community.
If you know of a business that might be
interested in sponsoring the Games or that
has matching grant programs please
introduce us to them or share the
sponsorship package that is available on the
website. Keep in mind that sponsorships can
include in-kind donations and can be tailored
to meet business as well as philanthropic
goals. lf you would like to introduce us to a
business leader or want become a sponsor
yourself, please contact: Games Manager,
Cst, Chris Probst or Corporate Sponsorship
Manager, Dominique O’Rourke.
INTERESTED IN A SPONSORSHIP?
Contact Dominique O’Rourke at
[email protected] or (519)831-3131
FUNDRAISING FAST FACTS
$400,000
The amount we’ll raise through corporate sponsorship,
Adopt-an-Athlete, events and donations.
30+
You can Adopt An Athlete
One level of sponsorship that is very accessible for small businesses, sports teams,
departments or groups of all kinds is the Adopt An Athlete program.
For $500, anyone can Adopt An Athlete and receive:
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The athlete's name, biography and competition schedule
A photo of the athlete and/or his or her team
An invitation to the Opening & Closing ceremonies
Recognition on the official Games website and Games program
It’s easy to Adopt An Athlete online at go.specialolympics.ca/adoptanathlete.
Sponsors have already signed on
Of course, all donations are welcome. Donations of $20 or more will receive an official
receipt for income tax purposes.
2016 GAMES UPDATE | Issue#1
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DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE
Please print, post and share!
Issue #1