Special Olympics Alberta 50/50 proceeds will go to supporting athletes in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Brooks.--SUPPLIED IMAGE
ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@@kellentaniguchi
Special Olympics Alberta is holding a 50/50 fundraiser with funds going toward programming for the 246 athletes in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Brooks.
Ticket sales end May 29, with the winner drawn May 31. The minimum prize is $2,000 with a maximum jackpot of $5,000 if tickets sell out. As of Tuesday afternoon, the draw was at $2,690, says Jaelynn Funk, chair of SOA Medicine Hat.
SOA is a non-profit organization and relies on donations and fundraising to provide sport programming to its athletes. Funk says they have used a lot of funds to purchase sanitizer and cleaning equipment to run safe programming at points during the pandemic. SOA’s bowling league was able to run for three weeks and they had people sanitizing the balls after each use.
Funk says they also like to purchase things for the athletes to reduce cost for them.
“For example, for our basketball team, our basketball team just started about two years ago, so we would really love to be able to get some team jerseys for us and be able to save that expense for our athletes because our athletes are usually lower income just depending on their disability,” said Funk.
“Just being able to support them in that way so that programming isn’t too expensive, so we can include all athletes, all people with intellectual disabilities and not have to worry about the price as we can really lower that price with our fundraising.”
Throughout the pandemic, SOA has been offering its PEAK Program, which allows athletes to join events throughout the week including healthy tip Tuesday and workout Wednesday, where athletes can learn tips and follow a workout from home. Funk says not all athletes are not tech-savvy and the program also provides a non-virtual option where athletes can receive workout schedules and a list of healthy things to eat.
“We’re concerned about them staying active, staying healthy and not just their physical health, but making sure they’re up and moving because they don’t have that motivation anymore without being in sport,” she said. “Even to have that mental support as well and have some people to lean on at this time is important.”
Tickets can be purchased in four different quantities: one for $10, four for $20, 20 for $50 or 100 for $100. Tickets can be bought online at SOA5050.ca
“I want to thank people who decide to buy tickets because every little bit helps, and we really appreciate it,” said Funk.
