From January 30th to February 1st, it was all about Special Olympics and doughnuts at Tim Hortons as, once again, they hosted the annual ‘Special Olympics Donut’ weekend fundraiser.
On Saturday, January 31st, at Tim Hortons In Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores) and Southampton, Special Olympians were joined by Saugeen Shores Police for a ‘meet ‘n’ greet’ where customers were able to donate for a Special Olympics doughnut.
Port Elgin Tim Hortons – for larger view, click on image
Tim Hortons Southampton – for larger view, click on image
Thanks to the staff at Tim Hortons Southampton, the athletes had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn how to decorate and pack the Special Olympic doughnuts.
Over the three-day Tim Horton’s ‘Donuts for Special Olympics’ event, 100 per cent of the proceeds from all sales of the doughnuts go directly to Special Olympics programs, supporting thousands of athletes with an intellectual disability across Canada. Since 2022, this exclusive doughnut has raised over $3.4M for Special Olympics Canada.
Proceeds from the Special doughnut sales go toward helping the costs for athletes to attend the Special Olympic National games,” Tim Hortons.
“We are always happy to help our Special Olympic Athletes achieve their goals,” says Saugeen Shores Tim Hortons’ owner, Dave Falconer. “They have had great support from the community by businesses such as MNP Accounting here in town who bought seven dozen doughnuts right away.”
Each athlete is required to fundraise $1,400 towards their transportation, meals, accommodations and uniform expenses for sports competitions, that include Provincials, Nationals and Worlds.
“Fundraising is where the community can help create the experience of a lifetime for these local athletes,” said Special Olympics Coordinator and Coach, Cheryl Smethurst. “It gives them an opportunity to see and experience the world. This year, for instance, the Nationals are in Medicine Hat, Alberta and three of our local athletes, April, Carly and Ray, are part of Team Ontario going to the Nationals to compete in Bocce Ball. Then, the Worlds will be held in Santiago, Chile but we don’t know as yet if any of our athletes will be moving on.”
Bocce Ball Champions – for larger view, click on image
Donations are still being accepted at Special Olympics Ontario.
“Any donations received over and above the fundraising goal,” added Smethurst, “stay in the community to support our Special Olympians in their sports.”
