Volunteers: The force behind the Games

Volunteers are the backbone of every community event, large or small. The City of Medicine Hat is hosting the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games this week and this Games is no exception. The community showed up.

Games Chair Natalie Sauer beams with pride when asked about volunteerism in Medicine hat. “It is almost overwhelming, and the thing is I am not surprised with the reaction,” Sauer states. “I’m not surprised that everywhere I go, everybody’s more than happy to show our hospitality, I am not surprised because that is what we do here (in Medicine Hat)!”

Throughout the week, local, provincial and national volunteers gave their time to support the Local Organizing Committee in making the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches, spectators and the community at large.

“We see a lot of the community here really loves volunteering and stepping up and being a part of things, and it's fantastic to see. We got a lot of repeat volunteers from (other events) here,” says Darla Grasley, Director of Volunteers.

Approximately 1,350 volunteers have passed through the variety of roles and venues associated with the Games this week. Some of the volunteers are able to offer a single 3-hour shift to support the Games, while others have signed up to 6-plus hour shifts on every day of the Games. From the yellow- and orange-shirted volunteers to the volunteers donning blue and red shirts, every individual, every shift contributes to the success of this event.

A larger number of volunteers, such as the 70-person strong communications team, increases the capacity to do better and be better.

“Without volunteers, we wouldn’t have the amount of content we do. The more (volunteers & content), the merrier. It's then a better experience for our athletes, for their friends and their family,” states Sean Rooney, Director of Communications.

A Medicine Hat local volunteer, Tom Teare, sees these Games as a great opportunity for the community to be recognized nationally as a games hosting entity. But more importantly to him, volunteering at the Games gives our community a better understanding of what the Special Olympics is and an appreciation and admiration of these incredible athletes.

Medicine Hat citizens see this event as a great opportunity to support the athletes, showcase what the city has to offer, and “A great way to spend free time,” says Aldrienne Aya of Medicine Hat.

In the spirit of the Games: We Shine Together!

— story by Chris Nelissen