Little did the Gillis family know how much of an impact Fran's decision to become a volunteer coach with Special Olympics PEI in 2008 would have on her family! Fast forward to 2020 and 5 members of her family are a huge part of the Special Olympics movement on PEI, and part of the much larger SOPEI family.
Fran has played many roles over the years including head coach with 5-Pin bowling, Bocce, Active Start/FUNdamentals and participated in Team PEI for both the 2018 Summer Games (mission staff) and the 2020 Winter Games (head coach 5-pin bowling) on a national level along with being active in fundraising.
Seeing how much enjoyment this organization brought to their mother, daughters Jenna and Aimee became sport volunteers in 2015. Jenna contributes to Active Start/FUNdamentals, 5-Pin bowling and fundraising. While daughter Aimee Webster contributes to bocce and 5-pin bowling and husband Brody joined as a sport volunteer in 2020 with bocce.
Alan, Fran's husband decided to become a volunteer coach in 2016, knowing how much his wife loved her involvement in Special Olympics, he figured it is a great way to spend more time with her :) Alan has been head coach for basketball, assistant coach for bocce and 5-pin bowling and fundraising.
The Gillis and Webster families live in Summerside and we love having them as part of the SOPEI family. They are always going above and beyond to ensure that athletes have the opportunities to participate, by coordinating rides and assisting in events.
Together with all the athletes across PEI that they have contributed to enriching the lives of, we say Thanks Coach!
