Special Olympics Team New Brunswick floor hockey players have become regulars at a Thunder Bay variety store.

While in the city for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020, the 16-member team has been visiting South Neebing Variety across the street from their hotel for snacks and late night treats.

“They fill the store,” coach Ross Antworth said with a laugh.

On one particular visit, Antworth noticed a woman pull up to the shop and fearfully take note of the sea of green New Brunswick jackets in the tiny space.

“I could see her face and she was like, ‘Oh no, I don’t have time for this – I just need a couple things,'” he recalled with a laugh.

Antworth convinced her not to worry and head inside the store.

It turned out she’s also a mother of a local Special Olympics athlete, so she was understanding – even excited – and headed into the store.

Once she grabbed her two items, the athletes – in a long line at the register – stepped aside and let her cash through with her items first.

Impressed by their kindness, she asked if she could make a donation to the team.

“We couldn’t really accept the donation,” Antworth explained. “So what she did instead was give the cashier an extra $20 and said to take $2 off each of their bills.” 

For Antworth, that small interaction and the impact it had on this woman speaks volumes.

“It’s just a really cool story about the whole movement, the athletes, about the community … and that this lady saw it in her heart to give a donation in that way,” he said.

According to Clinton Blois, who’s been on the team for nine years, it’s “out of respect” that they step aside for other customers – something they’ve been doing all week.

“It’s the polite thing to do,” said Blois.

Antworth expects nothing less from his team.

“They were just being athletes and just being polite and stepping aside,” he said. “When you get to know them, that’s just the way their hearts work and that’s just how they see things.”