In support of the Virtual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC, several amazing SOBC Athlete Reporters took the time to share why it's important to Plunge and donate!
SOBC Athlete Reporters have completed training on storytelling, technology use, and social media in order to help share Special Olympics voices and stories. This SOBC Athlete Leadership course was created in 2018 by SOBC – Victoria volunteers and professional journalists Andrea Boyes and Tess van Straaten.
The participants in the first Virtual Athlete Reporter Training in December 2020 were asked to share:
Why should everyone support the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC?
Miranda Orth, SOBC – Nanaimo:
“Everyone support the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC because it is fun to volunteer, even if you aren’t keen on jumping in freezing water on cold day! This is a photo of myself volunteering with the Polar Plunge [in previous years], standing with in front of a sign in Special Olympics gear!
So, even though the Polar Plunge is virtual this year, people should still support SOBC by Plunging or at least donating to Plungers because it’s a fun way to start 2021 Special Olympics during winter. It’s fun because you you aren’t just collecting donations from people, but you can mention how this really helps Special Olympics with continuing these events, despite it being virtual.”
Roy Stephens, SOBC – Kelowna:
Hear from Jake Miller, SOBC – Trail, and Danny Sperling, SOBC – Kelowna:
Stay tuned for more from province-wide Athlete Reporters! Thanks to all for their efforts!
About SOBC Athlete Leadership programs
Special Olympics Athlete Leadership programs offer training to help athletes succeed and inspire through leadership and speaking roles inside and outside the movement. These programs are proven to have a lasting benefit to participants by increasing confidence and self-esteem, and a lasting benefit to Special Olympics as these athlete leaders provide invaluable feedback and insights.
“Athlete Leadership is life changing. It can change the way you see things, and how you communicate with others, to have the courage to stand for others and be on the front lines. It creates leaders.”
–Nyasha Derera, Chair, Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress
If you have questions or feedback about SOBC Athlete Leadership, please contact SOBC Community Development Coordinator Chelsea Rogers at 604-802-4226 or crogers@specialolympics.bc.ca.