2022 Inductee: Ted Hirst
Induction summary written in 2022
Ted Hirst has championed Special Olympics BC’s vision and mission for more than 15 years, lending his skills, knowledge, voice, and connections in a constant effort to improve the organization and provide top-quality programs and opportunities for athletes.
Hirst has served on the SOBC Board of Directors since 2009, as both a Director and as Chair. As one of SOBC’s most generous donors, he has personally contributed significant funds to the organization, and has worked hard to encourage others to support Special Olympics so that no athlete is denied the opportunity to participate because they cannot afford it.
Inspired by Hirst's leadership and example, his company Canaccord Genuity has become a significant SOBC sponsor that has contributed more than $200,000 over the past 10 years. Hirst has also inspired a number of other influential companies to support SOBC and athletes with intellectual disabilities. Hirst has participated in many Polar Plunges, secured countless auction items for every auction that we run, and recruited many new members to the organization over the years of his support.
He is a strong advocate for people with intellectual disabilities experiencing inclusion and respect in sport and in the community, and having equal access to inclusive health care and healthy opportunities. Hirst has been an encouraging and supportive presence at many Special Olympics BC and Canada Games – he can be found cheering on athletes, welcoming families, and thanking volunteers.
Hirst is a passionate, valued leader by example for Special Olympics BC’s vision, mission, and values.
2018 Inductee: Michael Campbell
Induction summary written in 2018
Michael Campbell is one of Canada`s most respected business analysts, best known as the host of MoneyTalks. Through his hard work for SOBC, he was instrumental in securing a grant of $1 million.
Among Campbell’s influential fundraising efforts, he is the vital Chair of the annual Newmont Invitational Golf Tournament. Through his leadership and his considerable network, the tournament has gone from raising $70,000 a year for SOBC to more than $380,000 a year, making it one of SOBC’s most important fundraisers.
Campbell was also instrumental in negotiating Goldcorp’s initial $1-million donation to SOBC.
Since 2005, he has used his World Outlook Financial Conference to raise funds and awareness for SOBC, and he uses his MoneyTalks radio program to increase the visibility of SOBC programs, athletes, and sponsors. As well as being a dedicated fundraiser, Campbell donates generously to SOBC.
While being inducted, he said it was a great honour to be associated with so many wonderful people who dedicate their time to Special Olympics and are willing to take action to move the organization forward.
“This is a terrific honour, and what has made it that is the terrific people you get to hang out with,” Campbell said. “I work in a world where talk is rewarded. We work in a society where increasingly talking the right talk seems to be the measure. But that doesn’t get much done. We’re in a room right now where people are prepared to walk the walk.”
2018 Inductee: Rick Lucy
Induction summary written in 2018
Rick Lucy has been an instrumental part of the success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics BC. As the recently retired Deputy Chief Constable of the Abbotsford Police Department, Lucy has a long history with the LETR. He ran in the very first LETR event in B.C., from Calgary to Vancouver, to open the 1990 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
Twenty-eight years later, Lucy found himself once again carrying the torch for SOBC, as he was part of the five-day LETR Final Leg that kicked off the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In July 2009, he chaired the Games Organizing Committee for the Special Olympics BC Summer Games held in Abbotsford. One year later, he joined Team BC as a mission staff member for the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in London, Ontario.
As a vital builder of the LETR in Abbotsford, Lucy has been an active leader on the BC LETR Executive Council and stepped into the role of Provincial Director in 2010, and he serves on the LETR International Executive Council as Regional Coordinator for Region XI (Canada). Lucy also sits on the SOBC Board of Directors.
In addition to his work with the LETR, Lucy volunteers as an SOBC coach and has attended National and World Games. He participated in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, as an assistant coach with Special Olympics Team Canada’s soccer team. Lucy was also part of the Final Leg of the Torch Run at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, culminating in the time-honoured tradition of lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.
"It is truly an honour and quite humbling for me to be named to the SOBC Hall of Fame," says Lucy. “I cherish every moment I've had with Special Olympics BC and LETR, and I look forward to continuing to build inclusive communities and enriching the lives of people with intellectual disabilities."
2018 Inductee: Pam and Moray Keith
Induction summary written in 2018
Pam and Moray Keith are significant supporters and influencers within the B.C. automotive community and have helped build a strong relationship between the New Car Dealers Association and Special Olympics BC. As owners and leaders of the Dueck Auto Group, Pam and Moray show remarkable dedication to helping Special Olympics BC athletes.
Pam is currently Past Chair on the SOBC Board of Directors, having previously served as Chair. Both are heavily involved in all of SOBC’s major fundraising events, selflessly donating their time and money to the Goldcorp Invitational Golf Tournament, the Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, the New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction, and the Vancouver Polar Plunge for SOBC presented by Westminster Savings Credit Union. Pam and Moray also encourage their employees to fundraise and volunteer for SOBC.
Pam and Moray host show-and-shines at their three dealerships, donating the funds raised to Special Olympics BC Locals.
On top of all this, they provide Special Olympics BC with the use of large trucks for transporting equipment for the Goldcorp Invitational Golf Tournament, Healthy Athlete screenings, and Provincial Games.
While receiving the honour, Moray Keith said his family are blessed to be a part of the Special Olympics family. He said it’s a humbling experience to be welcomed into the Hall of Fame.
“It really is an honour to be mentioned beside so many other worthy recipients, both past and present,” Moray said.
2018 Inductee: Colin MacKinnon
Induction summary written in 2018
For the past 35 years, Colin MacKinnon has been a dedicated and true friend of Special Olympics BC. He is currently the longest-serving member on the SOBC Board of Directors, first joining in 1986. During this time he has held the positions of Chair, Past Chair, Treasurer, and Vice Chair, and has played a crucial role in the development of SOBC financial policies and practices.
For two decades, he was a key organizer of the Tiger Williams Golf Classic, which was one of the most significant sources of funds for SOBC for many years. When Tiger’s tournament wound up, he continued his support by volunteering on the Final Fore Golf Tournament and Goldcorp Invitational Golf Tournament committees.
In 2013, SOBC had the great pleasure of awarding MacKinnon with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Created on the occasion of the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada, the medal serves to recognize significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
MacKinnon also served on the Special Olympics Canada Board of Directors for over 12 years, taking on many roles including Chair.
Most recently, MacKinnon working on a task force for Special Olympics Canada. MacKinnon was part of a team planning the organization’s 50th anniversary, with the goal of enhancing the Special Olympics movement nationally and provincially. With its Global Day of Inclusion and its #50moments campaign, the dedicated work of MacKinnon has helped raise the profile of Special Olympics in this global anniversary year.
During his induction speech, MacKinnon said the SOBC Hall of Fame honour would not have been possible without the support of his family, who did so without reservation or hesitation.
“I’ve never been able to balance my Special Olympics ledger,” Mackinnon said. “From the beginning, I was driven by a feeling that I received more than I had given and it’s that core feeling that has motivated me for more than 35 years.”
2015 Inductees: Doug Holtby
Induction summary written in 2015
Doug Holtby (pictured at right) volunteered for 15 years as a member of the Special Olympics BC Board of Directors, serving from 1996 to 2011. During his time on the Board, Special Olympics BC refocused its efforts on growth, quality and sustainability, and Doug’s guidance during this entire process was invaluable. Doug introduced Special Olympics BC to many of our major sponsors and helped build those relationships.
2015 Inductees: Doug Holtby and Blair Shier
Induction summary written in 2015
Blair Shier (pictured at right) served on the Special Olympics BC Board of Directors from 1996 to 2000. During his time on the Board, the Special Olympics organization underwent a very involved rebranding and Blair’s guidance during this entire process was invaluable. He also provided critical assistance in building our base of contacts and helped Special Olympics BC develop new sources of revenue.
Since 1998, both Doug and Blair have provided leadership and direction for the Sports Celebrities Festival, which has become a cornerstone for providing funds and exposure for Special Olympics while fostering awareness and inclusion for SOBC athletes. The SCF has now raised more than $3.7 million for its charities, including almost $2 million for Special Olympics BC alone.
Blair and Doug have both made a significant impact on Special Olympics BC, benefitting the organization not only over the past 20 years, but long into the future.
2003 Inductee: The Carter Family
Induction summary written in 2003:
In 2003, the Carter family was inducted into the Special Olympics BC Hall of Fame in recognition of their remarkable contributions to SOBC since 1984. This is the first time that a family has been recognized in the Hall of Fame.
The late Howard Carter was a well-respected member of the automobile business community, a dedicated family man and a true friend and supporter of Special Olympics BC. During his life, Howard assisted Special Olympics with many fundraising initiatives and was instrumental in bringing the Automobile Dealers of BC on as sponsors. His wife Marnie continues with Howard's efforts, initiating the Howard Carter Fund and sitting on Special Olympics BC's Board of Directors for 15 years. Their son James has also been an active SOBC supporter, raising funds for SOBC through the automotive community and supporting many Special Olympics fundraising initiatives.
Special Olympics BC would like to thank Howard, Marnie and James Carter for the significant impact their family has made on Special Olympics BC. Their contributions have deeply benefited the organization over the past 20 years, and will continue to benefit the organization long into its future.
2002 Inductee: Cherald Tutt
Induction summary written in 2002:
As a founding member of Special Olympics BC - Kelowna, Cherald spent years building one of the strongest and most well-established Special Olympics programs in British Columbia. She served on the Board of Directors for six years, as well as on the Provincial Program Committee.
In 2002, Cherald was inducted into the Special Olympics BC Hall of Fame in recognition for her years of volunteerism and for her dedication to Special Olympics BC athletes.
2000 Inductee: Bruce Jansen
Induction summary written in 2000:
Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Jansen was instrumental in founding the Special Olympics BC organization in 1980.
As chairperson of the Northern Interior Special Olympics Games in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bruce acquired knowledge and experience that was invaluable to the group that came together to establish Special Olympics BC in 1980. Bruce served on the Special Olympics BC Board of Directors from 1980 to 1988, holding many positions including those of the Program Chair and President. He assisted the organization in achieving significant growth and in laying down the framework for future development.
As chair of the Provincial Program Committee in the early 1980s, Bruce provided the vision, direction and focus for the introduction of policies, procedures, and structures that ensured the effective and efficient development of the organization. He served as Special Olympics BC representative on the National Programming Committee, and played a key role in initiating many of Special Olympics BC’s “firsts,” including the 1984 Provincial Summer Games.