A supporter of Special Olympics Canada since 1996, Staples Canada runs their nationwide Give a Toonie Share a Dream campaign each spring to raise funds and awareness to help make dreams come true for Special Olympics athletes. 

Now in its 18th year, the Give a Toonie Share a Dream campaign raises significant funds for Special Olympics programs throughout the country, with this year’s campaign raising more than $750,000 across Canada. 

During this campaign, Special Olympics athletes and volunteers join Staples staff in stores to invite customers to donate at the till or online. Staples stores across the country also go above and beyond by organizing events like hotdog days, auctions, and bake sales to help raise additional funds.

As well as increasing funds and awareness, the Give a Toonie Share a Dream campaign helps bring Special Olympics athletes together with members of their community to share their stories and Special Olympics experiences. 

At Vancouver’s Marine Drive Staples, General Manager Gary Howell described the 2018 campaign as “the best experience ever!” and said he couldn’t wait to do it again next year.

Employees at the Marine Drive location worked to make the SOBC athletes visiting the store “feel like the rock stars that they are,” said Howell.

The Marine Drive Staples team created large posters that showcased the athletes and their athletic accomplishments, which were displayed in the store during the campaign and helped both the customers and employees get to know the athletes and their achievements.

Howell said the athletes’ “energy and enthusiasm were absolutely electrifying,” inspiring everyone on the team.

“They really let us into their world and touched our hearts,” said Howell. “There was not a dry eye in the building.”

As well as supporting Special Olympics through this important campaign, each summer, softball teams comprised of Staples employees and Special Olympics BC athletes compete in a friendly day-long tournament in Burnaby.

This year, the 18th annual event saw 15 Special Olympics BC athletes join six teams of Staples employees for a day of friendly competition, inclusion, and sportsmanship in Burnaby.

The 2018 softball tournament was the first for SOBC – Burnaby athlete Connor McCracken, who said he had a great day and enjoyed playing with his Staples teammates.

“They were really good!” he said.

We are so grateful to Staples Canada for their support of Special Olympics through the Give a Toonie Share a Dream campaign and annual softball tournament! Their longstanding support has truly changed the lives of Special Olympics athletes across Canada.