2024 President’s Award: Steve Van Hemert
Recognized for his dedication to volunteering at Special Olympics BC — Trail, Steve Van Hemert is the 2024 recipient of SOBC’s 2024 President’s Award. For 12 years, Van Hemert has been an active member of his Local, with prior experience volunteering at the Elk Valley Local. He is described as reliable, dependable and a positive role model.
Van Hemert has been an instrumental part of securing, organizing and overseeing ongoing fundraisers with his Local. One example is operating the Sudz Shack at Beaver Valley NiteHawks games, where Special Olympics athletes, volunteers and supporters staff the booth. Tips, as well as funds from bottle recycling and can returns, go towards Special Olympics BC — Trail. Similarly, Van Hemert organizes and oversees the Bavarian Gardens during a three-day community event, where volunteers and athletes work for tips and the funds raised from can returns go to the Local. Van Hemert organizes the volunteers, takes shifts and can be counted on to fill in if there are any last-minute cancellations.
Volunteers can now easily book timeslots for fundraising initiatives thanks to an online system introduced by Van Hemert, eliminating the need for multiple phone calls. His nominators say he has an easy relationship with other committee members, volunteers and athletes, ensuring everyone is trained and giving ongoing support as needed. He has brought in members of the community that have no prior involvement with Special Olympics to assist at fundraisers, helping build inclusion in the community.
Van Hemert’s fundraising efforts have provided multiple sport opportunities to athletes at no cost, ensuring athletes don’t have to limit their sport choices based on cost.
Special Olympics BC offers congratulations to Van Hemert and the 2024 award nominees!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOBC'S PROVINCIAL AWARDS