ESTEVAN - Special Olympic athletes from the Estevan area had the opportunity to team up with members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service during two softball games held at the Jody Waloshin Softball Diamonds on Sept. 14.
Jackie Thul with Estevan Special Olympics said it was a fun event with athletes and firefighters spread among the two teams. There was also a fundraising barbecue with a donation jar that raised $360 for local Special O programming.
"Our programming gets quite expensive, so we have lots of fundraising to do," said Thul.
Gilliss Casing Services sponsored the barbecue, Estevan Minor Softball provided use of the diamonds and Estevan McDonald's donated gift cards for all of the athletes.
The charity softball game has been going for several years. Thul said the athletes enjoy the game so much. Other emergency services crews have participated in the past.
It also serves as a good way to kick off Special Olympics' fall programming and bring everyone together.
Fall programming is set to start in October. Bowling runs on Tuesdays from Oct. 15-March 11 at Estevan Bowl, and is for those ages eight and up. Youths bowl at 5:30 p.m. and adults are at 6:30 p.m. Swimming is Saturdays at the Estevan Leisure Centre at 11 a.m. and it is from Oct. 12-March 15, and it is also for those eight and up.
The ActiveStart FUNdamentals class is Fridays from Oct. 4-Dec. 6 for ages two to 12. Participants learn the basic skill sets of sports, such as throwing and kicking, and they break sports down to the specific tasks needed.
"Our bowling program is our most attended program. We have about 42 athletes, I believe. Swimming and ActiveStart FUNdamentals are both around 10 or 15. We have good numbers. We're trying to build them up. They declined a little bit over COVID," said Thul.
Their summer bocce ball program has around 25 athletes. Estevan Special Olympics sent a contingent of athletes to the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminister, and one member, Donna Sutherland, won a bronze medal.
Registrations for athletes, coaches and volunteers will be accepted throughout the year and there is no limit for the programs.
Thul said they have finished qualifiers for the next Saskatchewan Special Olympics Summer Games, which will happen in May and June 2025. Communities are bidding for the event.
