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Motionball event supports Special Olympics

Fun-filled day of multi-sport activities will help raise funds for Special Olympics Canada
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Participants show camaraderie and sportsmanship before starting a one of the six social sports that took place at motionball Kelowna in 2016. -Image: Contributed

Motionball Marathon of Sport is back for another year,and teams are rushing to secure their spot for the popular fundraising event on September 23, at Kelowna’s City Park.

This fun-filled day of multi-sport activities will help raise funds to ensure the long-term stability of Special Olympics Canada.

Local credit union, Interior Savings, couldn’t be happier to support the cause once again, both as a participating team and presenting sponsor.

“Donating to an important cause feels good, but when you participate alongside the people you are supporting, the feeling is more profound,” says Interior Savings CEO Kathy Conway. “…motionball builds a level of connection, understanding and compassion that few fundraising events are able to accomplish.”

Event co-director, Donnie Ungaro couldn’t agree more and has seen the impact first hand.

“This year is our 6th year running motionball Kelowna, and each year we are grateful to play alongside athletes who have battled with intellectual disabilities all their lives,” says Ungaro. “Whether it is epilepsy, asperger’s, down syndrome, autism or another, these athletes are happy be a part of a community that believes in them.”

The Special Olympics movement provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to be a part of a community and overcome challenges they never thought possible.

Programs across Canada help build resilience, confidence, and problem solving skills, which make a difference in all aspects of the athletes’ lives, including their likelihood to work.

On average there are 800,000 Canadians who have intellectual disabilities. Of those, Special Olympics athletes are five times more likely to work than adults who are not enrolled in Special Olympics.