Participants at the 2013 Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games in Langley.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Special Olympics B.C./Ann Lengyell
May 09, 2017 - 5:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - The Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games are coming to Kamloops this July, but in order for the games to be successful, volunteers are needed.
About 1,000 volunteers to be exact. The chair of the organizing committee, Karl deBruijn, says after working the 2015 Winter Games in Kamloops he realized how rewarding the experience can be.
"I’ll tell you, it was a great experience for me," deBruijn says. "I've never worked with such a grateful, respectful group of athletes."
The games, which run from July 6 to July 9, weren't originally anticipated to be held in Kamloops, but after the original community wasn't able to host them, Special Olympics B.C. asked the 2015 host to do it again.
deBruijn says they are thrilled to be hosting the games again, but they'll need help.
"We need a lot of help to pull this off," he says. "This will be the biggest Special Olympics B.C. games they’ve held."
There will be 1,600 athletes and volunteer coaches calling Kamloops home during the games, all of whom need to be fed and housed.
deBruijn says organizers will need help with preparing and serving meals, volunteer bus drivers, volunteers with medical or first aid training and people to help with security.
"If there's people out there that are willing to assist, you don't have to have special training, you just have to be physically capable and willing," he says.
deBruijn says volunteers don't need to sign up for all of the days, even one day or half of a day will make a difference.
He says the reason Special Olympics B.C. came to Kamloops is because the city did an incredible job hosting the Winter Games in 2015.
"I guess we have a reputation that goes along with the name of tournament capital of Canada."
deBruijn says volunteers who are interested can sign up online or go to Kamloops Sports Council office at 261 Lorne St.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017