OPP, Special Olympics celebrate 25-year partnership with Be A Fan Day

by Patrick Raftis

ABOYNE

Wellington County OPP held a “Be a Fan Day” on Oct. 25 to celebrate a 25-year partnership between law enforcement agencies and Special Olympians.

Ron Heipel, who coaches the Fergus Phantoms Special Olympic swim team, said the 25-year milestone is a significant one.

“When Special Olympics began 40 years ago we had one or two athletes.

“Today there are 35,000,” said Heipel, adding the “attention this partnership between the law enforcement agencies and the Torch Run has brought to Special Olympics has been amazing.”

Today, said Heipel, there are 30 athletes and a dozen volunteers from the Fergus area alone involved in Special Olympic programs.

About half those volunteers are high school students, “so the youth of today are stepping up and caring in the community,” he added.

Wellington County OPP Inspector Scott Lawson said, “There’s nothing more beautiful than watching our Special Olympians.

“It’s so nice to be able to support this.”

The “Be a Fan Day” focused on raising awareness for Special Olympics and engaging the community by encouraging them to become fans and to have a better understanding of the movement.

Local Special Olympians were on hand at the event to meet members of the public, while the OPP set up booths showcasing various policing units, including the mounted and canine units and emergency response team.

November 2, 2012