THUNDER BAY -- Mac’s convenience store is helping out some of the brightest stars in our community.
Special Olympic athletes gathered at a local Mac's on Wednesday to kick off the Change for Champions campaign.
The campaign will help raise funds for the 2019 Provincial Winter Games in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Especially for a community like Thunder Bay where we’re kind of a remote community, we need lots of funding for the community to get us to our different tournaments,” Special Olympics coach Tyler McDougall said.
The province-wide initiative will happen across 750 location across Ontario.
“If you’re stopping by a Mac’s anytime for the month of July, you can donate when you go up to the till and make a purchase,” McDougall said.
McDougall says the athletes are training three days a week to prepare for the games.
They will serve as the qualifier for the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, which will take place close to home in Thunder Bay.
Local law enforcement officials were also on hand to encourage funding for Special Olympic events, such as their very own Torch Run which they hosted in June.
“It’s fantastic we take part in a lot of different events, and it’s inspiring to see how much they enjoy the sports,” said Const. Ben Grieve.
Grieves said he’s hoping the support will help prepare the athletes for the upcoming games in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.
“I’m so happy to take part in it,” he said. “We take part in all the Special Olympics and it’s just fantastic.”
