Special Olympics Halton Hills is expanding thanks to a donation from the Rotary clubs of Georgetown and Acton.
The local Special Olympics chapter will add pickleball to its sports roster after receiving $5,000 from the local Rotary Clubs. It will be the eighth sport offered to its 80 athletes, joining basketball, curling, floor hockey, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, swimming and track and field.
“It’s nice to get a donation like this,” said Sue Padt, Special Olympics Halton Hills community coordinator. “When people donate directly to Special Olympics Halton HIlls, it goes right into the community and stays right here with our Halton Hills athletes.”
Padt said the organization has been looking to expand its programming and with the sudden rise in interest in pickleball, it was a good fit. She said the organization has been working with the Halton Hills Pickleball Association, which has been teaching the game to the Special Olympics coaches and volunteers.
Pickleball was also a good fit because Special Olympics requires a coach for every four athletes, so with the sport’s surging popularity, there were a number of parents and volunteers also interested in learning the sport.
“This supports Rotary’s goals of supporting youth and bringing people together,” said Kim Roy, president of the Rotary Club of Georgetown. “We saw this as an opportunity to significantly change lives.”
The Georgetown club then approached the Rotary Club of Acton about coming on board. It agreed, helping to double the amount of the donation.
“We have a very good relationship between the clubs,” said Rob Van der vecht, president of the Rotary Club of Acton. “This was a great initiative to be a part of and match their donation. I hope we have more opportunities to do that in the future.”
The clubs raised the money through their online auctions and events like the Acton Trunk Sale.
For more information about local Special Olympics programs, visit Special Olympics Halton Hills' website.
