Local RCMP were one of the beneficiaries this weekend as Special Olympics athletes hit the road to deliver Tim Hortons donuts to some community businesses.
Also getting the sweet treatment were staff at Synergy Credit Union, Medavie Paramedics that lead the ambulance service on the Alberta side, WPD Ambulance staff on the Saskatchewan side of the Border City and as well the Lloydminster Fire Department. At each location the athletes along with volunteers got to tour the facility and exchange greetings and support with the staff.
Funds generated across Canada from the weekend Tim Hortons donut sales will go to support Special Olympics programs in each community.
Cpl. Grant Kirzinger said they are always happy to support the Special Olympics and pointed out that the colours on the donuts represent diversity and inclusion. He noted the special relation they have had over the years even with celebrating Canada’s game.
“We had a fantastic floor hockey game between the RCMP detachment and the Special Olympians. I got scored on a few times by Kenneth (a local athlete). He was pretty good at the stick handling and putting the puck in the top corner. So we had a lot of fun that way. We have just been able to see them be around our community. We have connected both inside of schools or even at the detachment.”
Kirzinger reminisced that he still has the bag that the athletes gave him from the floor hockey game and he uses it to go to the gym.
During the tour of the detachment the athletes got to see the interview rooms, meeting areas, try on some gear and as well the 911 call centre.
“Being able to show them what the different aspects are – what we need to do our job as police officers and for some of them, maybe they have never seen a police detachment before. We get to show them – if you ever need to call 911, this is who will be answering the phone. So it doesn’t have to be this scary, big foreboding situation, but something that they could be a little more comfortable with.”
Organizers with the Lloydminster Special Olympics affiliate expressed their gratitude to the community for all the support over the weekend.