Darren Whitehead- Special Olympics Prince Albert Volunteer
Darren has been a volunteer for Special Olympics Saskatchewan for over 30 years. He wears many hats within the organization and within his home community of Prince Albert. He serves as a leader, mentor, and coach with an amazing spirit and drive to support and encourage the athletes in his community and across the province. Darren volunteers and supports fundraising events at the local and provincial level. Most recently Darren attended the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay as head coach of the Team Sask floor hockey team. He acted as mentor to the assistant coaches on the team and provided guidance in training for national games. One of our favourite hats that Darren wears is the comedian. While he knows when it is time to get down to work, he is always good for a joke and laugh - even at his own expense. Darren is admired and respected by the athletes, and by his fellow volunteers, coaches, and board members. It is volunteers, like Darren, that make Special Olympics the incredible place it is.
The Yuzik Family - Special Olympics Swift Current Volunteers
Families that volunteer together, well, are pretty incredible in our eyes! Sisters Angela and Danielle along with their father Kent coach with the Special Olympics Swift
Current floor hockey and softball programs.
Kent sits on the Special Olympics Swift Current Community Executive and has been volunteering since 2015. "I initially started volunteering to give back to the community, but once I was involved, it's so much more. The friendships made with all SO coaches and athletes throughout the province makes it so special. It's great to be part of an organization where everyone can just be themselves and be accepted (even during karaoke)."
Angela was just a teen when she began volunteering alongside her dad. She has committed 5 years to Special Olympics and the athletes. Angela has been recognized as Special Olympics Saskatchewan Youth Volunteer of the Year and gone above and beyond her coaching role. "I volunteer because I love getting to meet and work with different athletes, volunteers, and coaches to create a positive impact in our community and province. I have had so many incredible experiences and met some of the greatest people that have become life-long friends through Special Olympics. To me, Special Olympics means a place for everyone to be their authentic self without fear of judgement."
Danielle, who started volunteering because her family "sucked her in", has become such an asset to Special Olympics Swift Current in just a few short years. She stays on top of training opportunities and always tries to be the best coach possible for the athletes. "I started as a volunteer because my family sucked me in, but I stayed because I have so much fun. It's a great community to be a part of an incredibly rewarding. I get to hang out with awesome people and watch them grow. Regardless of what kind of day I'm having [attending Special Olympics programs] always fills my bucket."
The Yuzik family has made an incredible impact in Swift Current and Saskatchewan. They can always be relied on to step up and help out. Thank you Yuzik's for making our province a more inclusive place.
"It's something cool we all enjoy doing together and keeps us all active. Special Olympics has increased our extended family size and is constantly growing with every Special Olympic event we attend."- Angela, Danielle, and Kent yuzik
Brooks Neumann - Saskatchewan's Worlds Largest Truck Convoy Volunteer
For the last 13 years Brooks has been taking time out of his busy schedule to help put on one of Special Olympics Saskatchewan’s most successful fundraising events, The World’s Largest Truck Convoy. While Brooks isn’t on the ground interacting with our athletes on a daily program level, his dedication is truly invaluable. Every year we know we can count on Brooks the moment we put out the Convoy “Bat-Call”. Attending meetings, recruiting participants and donors, coordinating logistical items, and setting up the event are just a few of the things Brooks does to make the event such a success. Brooks will tell you he doesn’t do much, which isn’t true, and it was all worth it for the athletes, which is true. Thank you, Brooks, for all you have done for Special Olympics Saskatchewan and our athletes!
Justin Nelson - Special Olympics Moose Jaw Volunteer
Justin has been a volunteer with Special Olympics Saskatchewan - Moose Jaw for 3 years. He volunteers with the floor hockey team attending practices and sharing a wealth of hockey knowledge with the athletes. Justin is dedicated to the athletes and stepped up in organizing, executing and fundraising for Moose Jaw's floor hockey tournament this year. The Moose Jaw athletes were happy to share some of the reasons they think Justin is a great volunteer: he likes to have fun; he does anything to get the job done; he is an all-around nice guy; he helps us to get ready for tournaments and for playing other teams. These are all reasons why we think Justin is a great volunteer too! Thanks, Justin, for all you do for Special Olympics and our athletes.
