The Tim Hortons in Huntingdon was packed on January 31 as members of the Suroît Special Olympics team launched a weekend-long “donut drive” in collaboration with the local restaurant, as part of a Canada-wide fundraising and awareness campaign.
By Sunday evening, over 510 Special Olympics donuts had been purchased, which was good enough for twelfth place in Quebec for the most donuts sold. Dan Lajeunesse, the director of operations at the Huntingdon location, confirmed the campaign raised over $1,022, which will be donated to Special Olympics Quebec in support of athletes competing at the provincial, national, and international levels.
A record-breaking $1.3 million was raised through donut sales in Canada over the weekend.
Lajeunesse said the Special Olympics fundraiser is something they hope to grow in Huntingdon, by drawing more attention to the cause and by allowing the community to become more involved.
A representative for Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette as well as Huntingdon mayor André Brunette took part in the fundraiser launch, while numerous family members, teachers, and friends looked on proudly as the athletes were introduced.
Sophie Sanche, the Special Olympics Quebec coordinator for the Suroît region, spoke of the athletes’ dedication to their various sports that include snowshoeing in the winter as well as swimming, golf, bowling, hockey, track and field, basketball, and bocci in the summer. Several of the local athletes have been participating in Special Olympics events and activities for over twenty years.
Sanche pointed out that along with different competitions this winter, the team is preparing for the Special Olympics Summer Games in Granby. She explained that fundraisers such as the Tim Hortons campaign are important, while noting that more events will be taking place to support the 70 athletes who will compete this August at the provincial games.
In the meantime, several of the local athletes tore up the snow-covered track during a snowshoeing competition in Sainte-Foy on February 8. The eight athletes representing the Suroît ran away with 15 medals in the 100-metre, 200-metre, 400-metre, and 800-metre competitions.
The results suggest all is on track for a positive year for our athletes.