Celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics throughout November
For the 11th straight season the Ontario Hockey League, Law Enforcement Torch Run, and Special Olympics Ontario are teaming up to raise awareness around the Special Olympics movement.
During the month of November, which has been designated as Special Olympics Game Month, fans will have the opportunity to learn more about Special Olympics Ontario and can help the movement by contributing funds through the annual ‘Pass the Bucket’ and other fundraising initiatives at select games throughout the OHL.
Special Olympics games in OHL rinks may also include ceremonial puck drops with Special Olympics Ontario athletes and staff along with members of local law enforcement.
This season is extra special for Special Olympics as it marks the 50-year anniversary of the movement first pioneered by Dr. Frank Hayden in 1968.
The OHL family is proud to help celebrate this milestone season with 13 games throughout November plus an additional three games in December and January. In October the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds hosted the season’s first Special Olympics game which raised over $4,000.
Special Olympics Game Month Schedule:
Thursday November 1 at Windsor Spitfires (vs Ottawa 67’s) at 7:00 pm
Sunday November 4 at Oshawa Generals (vs Barrie Colts) at 6:05 pm
Saturday November 10 at Kingston Frontenacs (vs Oshawa Generals) at 7:00 pm
Thursday November 15 at Peterborough Petes (vs Owen Sound Attack) at 7:05 pm
Thursday November 15 at Barrie Colts (vs North Bay Battalion) at 7:30 pm
Saturday November 17 at Guelph Storm (vs London Knights) at 4:00 pm
Saturday November 17 at Sarnia Sting (vs Peterborough Petes) at 7:05 pm
Sunday November 18 at North Bay Battalion (vs Ottawa 67’s) at 3:00 pm
Tuesday November 20 at Kitchener Rangers (vs Sarnia Sting) at 7:00 pm
Thursday November 22 at London Knights (vs Mississauga Steelheads) at 7:00 pm
Friday November 23 at Niagara IceDogs (vs Barrie Colts) at 7:00 pm
Saturday November 24 at Ottawa 67’s (vs Sarnia Sting) at 2:00 pm
Saturday November 24 at Owen Sound Attack (vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) at 7:30 pm
Additional games this season:
Sunday December 2 at Hamilton Bulldogs (vs Niagara IceDogs) at 2:00 pm
Friday December 7 at Mississauga Steelheads (vs Oshawa Generals) at 7:00 pm
Friday January 11 at Sudbury Wolves (vs Mississauga Steelheads) at 7:05 pm
As athletes support athletes, the OHL is proud to support the nearly 25,000 Special Olympics Ontario participants – a figure that has grown by close to 56% during the league’s 11-year provincial partnership since 2008.
Last year, Special Olympics Ontario received over $11 million from its partnership network. In honour of the 50-year anniversary of Special Olympics, the league has set a goal of raising $50,000 this season for the movement.
Special Olympics Ontario:
Special Olympics Ontario is part of a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Special Olympics encourages sports and fun, bringing people together and breaks down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities through a unified sports approach.
For more information or to make a donation visit specialolympicsontario.com and join the conversation on social media with #SpecialOlympics50 and #ChooseToInclude.
