Fraser McArthur, president of Your Student Association (Your SA) and Chris Nelan, vice-president of UOIT for Your SA, grill hamburgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers in support of the 2008 Special Olympics to be held on campus in May 2008.
With the Durham College Oshawa campus playing host to the 2008 Special Olympics just nine months from now, Your Student Association (Your SA) recently got behind the grill in an effort to raise funds to support this exciting event.
On Wednesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fraser McArthur, president of Your SA, along with other Your SA members fired up the barbecue to sell a delicious lunchtime meal, all for a good cause. Hamburgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers - all at a great price - were served at E.P. Taylor's in the Student Centre with proceeds going to the Special Olympics.
"The Special Olympics are a great opportunity to give people with special needs access to competitive events. Hosting the event at Durham College will be a great thing for the campus," said McArthur, who added that both barbecues were successful.
As the host site, more than 900 athletes, trainers and coaches will be housed in the campus residences. In addition, the college will host the power lifting and basketball events and provide meals, transportation, security and media services.
"Today is a day to celebrate partnerships, to celebrate community and to celebrate the spirit of sport," said Leah Myers, president of Durham College, at an event launching the college as the event's host in November 2006. "Durham College has a history of sporting success and hosting significant sporting events and we are very proud to add to that legacy by sharing our campus as the host site of the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games for 2008. It's so heartening to see our staff and students embrace this wonderful news. Many are already asking how they can be involved and help make it a resounding success."
More than 700 athletes and 170 coaches will take part in the 2008 games, and along with power lifting and basketball, swimming, five-pin bowling and 10-pin bowling will also be contested. It is the first time Durham Region has played host to the provincial event, with the Durham Regional Police Service (DPRS) entering the successful bid. The DRPS has long been a tremendous supporter of the Special Olympics movement, organizing numerous events and fundraisers each year.
The Special Olympics offer community-based programming that provides athletes with opportunities to advance to higher levels of competition. Competitive opportunities are provided at a provincial level through winter, spring and summer games in various Ontario cities over a four-year cycle.
The 2008 Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games will serve as a qualifying competition for the 2010 National Special Olympics Summer Games.
Special Olympics Ontario is a charitable organization that receives less than five per cent of its operating funds from government grants. The balance of funds is raised within the community through public and corporate donations.