happy Holidays!
Holiday Greetings from Special Olympics Nova Scotia
As we wrap up 2025, we’re excited to reflect on an incredible year of growth, achievement, and community impact. This year was filled with remarkable accomplishments from our athletes, inspiring leadership from our coaches, and unwavering dedication from our volunteers. From Provincial and World Games, to community events across the province, to the launch of new programs that continue to expand opportunities — 2025 was busy!
We invite you to look back with us and enjoy some of the highlights that made 2025 truly memorable!
Happy New Year from the Special Olympics Nova Scotia Staff.
Mike, Matt, John, Rachel & Krista
** Please note our office will be closed for the holidays, December 24 – January 2 **
Please consider a donation in support of our athletes. Your support makes a tremendous difference in their lives and in the their communities!
2025 Highlights
2025 WINTER PROVINCIAL GAMES
This year, 350+ athletes, coaches, and mission staff from across the province travelled to 14 Wing Greenwood for the 2025 Provincial Winter Games. Although weather conditions shortened the weekend for some teams, the event remained a strong success, featuring competitions in curling, bowling, speed skating, snowshoeing, and figure skating. We extend our sincere appreciation to the volunteers whose dedication ensured a smooth and memorable weekend.
2025 SUMMER PROVINCIAL GAMES
More than 919 athletes, coaches, and mission staff travelled to StFX University in Antigonish from July 24–27 for our largest Summer Games since 2019. An additional competition day was added to ensure every event could be completed, as these Games served as qualifiers for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta, more on that below!
Athletes competed in seven sports—soccer, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics, athletics, bocce, golf, and swimming—demonstrating exceptional effort, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the weekend. Their determination and teamwork were evident in every performance, making the Games a standout highlight of the year.
NSLC Provincial Summer Games Volunteer Program Partner
NSLC was back for a second year, supporting the Provincial Summer Games as our Volunteer Program Partner. A huge thank you to Laura, Marley and their teams for all the hard work and coordination.
A huge thank you to the 300 dedicated volunteers whose tireless efforts ensured the event ran smoothly. It was a hot weekend with temperatures hitting mid-high 30’s. Their hard work allowed the athletes to focus on achieving their personal bests and creating unforgettable moments.
Left: Members of the Novas Under 15 Major Hockey Team, they volunteered on the Friday of Games with the athletics competitions.
TEAM NOVA SCOTIA ANNOUNED!
A dream that all started with a goal, will come to fruition for some athletes this upcoming August as they head off to the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta. On November 9th, athletes, coaches and mission staff came together for team orientation. Athletes and teams laid out their training plans and set goals on what they would like to accomplish.
Read the Team Nova Scotia announcement.
2025 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES
2025 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES
In March of this year, six athletes from Special Olympics Nova Scotia were part of Team Canada competing at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. All six athletes had personal bests, incredible moments and made life long friends from across the country.
Congratulations to:
Athletes – Jillian Young, Jessica Cranton, Nick Skoreyko, Chloe Stoddart, Rebecca Delaney and Brian Waring,
Coach – Susan Inglis
Team Canada Doctor – Marion Cornish
LETR - FINAL LEG
LETR - FINAL LEG
Marty Smith, Chief of Kentville Police was selected to represent Nova Scotia at the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for the World Games. The Flame of Hope left Athens, Greece on Feb 25th running through the Piedmont region of Italy until it reached Turin, just in time for the Opening Ceremonies on March 7th.
As members of the LETR ran through Italy with the flame of hope they spread awareness about inclusion and Special Olympics. Marty described the Final Leg as “life changing”. Congratulations Marty on the honour of carrying the Flame of Hope.
2025 INSPIRED GALA & AUCTION
This year, the Inspired Gala & Auction was back at the Halifax Convention Centre, where we welcomed over 680 guests! The Special Olympics Dartmouth Diamonds – Rhythmic Gymnastics team kicked off the evening with a thrilling performance. We celebrated the 2024 Provincial Award winners for their exceptional contributions to the Special Olympics. Guest Speaker, Brian Burke returned for a second year.
Save the date! The 2026 Inspired Gala & Auction will be held on February 18, and it promises to be even more spectacular. We’re thrilled to welcome Loretta Claiborne, Chief Inspiration Officer at Special Olympics International, long time Special Olympics athlete and motivational guest speaker and advocate. Loretta is an inspiration to many and we can’t wait for her to share her remarkable story.
Don’t miss this extraordinary evening filled with inspiration, celebration and the chance to support our amazing athletes. Tickets are available now – secure yours today!
DR. WILLIAM STANISH & FRIENDS LUNCHEON
A special thank you to Dr. Stanish and Friends for another incredible luncheon and generous support. The room was full of inspiration, energy and enthusiasm.
The luncheon included hearing from Special Olympics athletes Jackie Barrett, Katie Isenor and Katie’s mom, Donna. They spoke about their involvement in Special Olympics, the importance of the support of a support system from their families and loved ones and their love of sport. Jackie recounted his lifts from the World Games and being the first Special Olympics athlete inducted into the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
The Westin Nova Scotian hotel was the recipient of the 2025 Joel Jacobson Bright Spot Award, recognizing their long standing commitment, friendship, and unwavering support. For more than a decade, The Westin has graciously opened its doors as the home of our annual luncheon, helping us create a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience for athletes, families, and supporters. Their dedication goes far beyond venue support; it reflects a true partnership built on heart, hospitality, and community spirit. A heartfelt thank you to Glen, Grant, and the entire team at The Westin Nova Scotian for making a lasting impact and helping this event shine brighter every year.
THANK YOU Another record year with $184,662 raised and growing, with over 200 big rigs registered for the convoy that took to the streets of Dartmouth, Cole Harbour and Eastern Passage.
Thank you to all of the drivers, owners, sponsors, and volunteers for going above and beyond year after year. It’s great to see so many familiar faces return each year, we can’t wait to see you next year!
Check out the Awards Presentations and Truck Convoy photos albums on our Facebook page.
POLAR PLUNGE!
The Polar Plunge was another successful cold dip in the Halifax Harbour, led by our friends in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), raising over $21,000! Congratulations to the highest fundraising team, the Sackville-Bedford Bravehearts swimming team, all the athletes and coaches braved the cold waters and took the plunge!
The 2026 Polar Plunge will be Saturday, April 18th! Follow along the NSLETR Facebook for more updates https://www.facebook.com/nsletr
MOTIONBALL & MOTIONBALLU
This year motionball and motinballU – Marathon of Sport events achieved incredible success in support of Special Olympics athletes.
motionball Halifax raised an impressive $82,000! The event brought together 50 Special Olympics athletes from across NS, joining 22 teams for a day packed with sports, inclusion and a ton of FUN!! The motionballU teams continue to spread awareness and raise funds – this year students of SMU, DAL and STFX raised $96,250 combined! Thank you to all the students for continuing to include and empower the athletes. motionball Unama’ki – Cape Breton lead the way and raising $85,000! WOW!!
Another large component of motionball is the #NoGoodWay campaign. This campaign promotes the use of inclusive language with a goal of ending the casual and negative use of the “R-word” from everyday conversations. Take the pledge today!
motionball – Marathon of Sport is an all day event where teams of friends, family or colleagues will participate in a fun-filled day of sport alongside local Special Olympics athletes from their community.
Want to get your friends, family or your employer involved or to learn more – reach out to Krista Wadman kwadman@specialolympicsns.ca
SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANADA NATIONAL AWARDS
In November, four Nova Scotians were awarded National Awards with Special Olympics Canada for their dedication, impact and
Jessica Cranton – Athlete of the Year
Matt walsh – Athlete Community Excellence Award
Peter McCormick – Coach of the Year
Lauren MacRae – Rising Star Coach of the Year
Click the images below to learn more about the award winners and to watch their acceptance videos.
NATIONAL SPONSOR CAMPAIGNS
From June 12-22, 2025, the In Store – Check Stand Campaign was held throughout the Empire Company of Stores including – Sobeys, Foodland, Lawtons Drugs, Needs Convenience and participating Co-Ops stores across Canada raising over $1.6 million.
A huge thank you to the Nova Scotia store staff who promoted, the customers who supported the campaign and the athletes/coaches who made store visits.
We are proud that a record-breaking $1.3 million was raised through the sale of Special Olympics Donuts at Tim Hortons from Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2025 across Canada!
100% of the funds raised support community sport programs for more than 42,000 Special Olympics athletes across Canada with intellectual and developmental disabilities – including in our communities across Nova Scotia.
A huge thank you once again to our Special Olympics community – athletes, coaches, volunteers, staff, friends, family, champions and supporters – for making this the most successful year yet.
See everyone at Tim Hortons from Jan 30 – Feb 1, 2026 for the next #ChooseToInclude donut campaign.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Our youth programs continue to grow and evolve. There are currently over 17 youth programs being facilitated provincially, from Jr. Swimming to FUNdamentals and everything in between. Youth coaches and program leaders are creating new and exciting programs that meet the needs of the children in their community. Thank you to our innovative and passionate leaders in youth! For more information on youth programs contact Rachel Skanes rskanes@specialolympicsns.ca
HEALTHY ATHLETES
Healthy Athletes at Summer Games
We hit a record at Summer Games this year by screening the most athletes in SONS history in one day! Between competitions, over 300 athletes learned mental health coping skills, information about pelvic health, information on hydration best practices and completed our Special Smiles program. During the Pelvic Health & Sports Bra Fitting Program, female athletes were fitted with and given free sports bras and learned about breast and menstrual health, while male athletes learned how to take care of athletic underwear and received a free pair of underwear from Saxx. Thank you Saxx for donating underwear to our well deserving athletes. Thank you to our Pelvic Health team for creating this incredible program and service for our athletes..
Healthy Athletes Screening Day
At our annual Healthy Athletes Screening Day in November, athletes participated in 5 Healthy Athletes disciplines: MedFest (Doctor Check Up), Special Smiles (Dentistry), FUNfitness (Physiotherapy), Strong Minds (Coping Skills), Healthy Hearing (Audiology). We partnered with the Dalhousie Dental Hygiene school to pilot a mouthguard program where an intraoral scanning machine created 3D models of athletes teeth and custom mouthguards were made for athletes. Experts from Autism Nova Scotia provided information on healthy relationships and researchers from the University of Calgary provided information and collected data regarding women’s health topics. Our Sports Bra Fitting Program was facilitated for the second time and 30 more athletes received free bras thanks to a grant from the Aerie Real Foundation.
For more information on the Healthy Athletes programs, please contact Rachel at rskanes@specialolympicsns.ca
SPORTS AND PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
New Sport Highlights
Over the past year, Floorball has officially launched and made a strong debut at the Provincial Winter Games, quickly capturing the enthusiasm of athletes and coaches alike. This fast-paced, inclusive, and accessible sport has already seen strong participation and momentum across the province.
Alongside Floorball, new partnerships have helped expand Alpine skiing opportunities this winter. As programs have grown over the past few seasons, athletes have continued to build confidence on the slopes at Martock, Wentworth, and Ben Eoin.
We also hosted tennis try-it days throughout the summer at St. George’s Tennis Club in Dartmouth, introducing even more athletes to the game. With your continued support, we are excited to keep growing these opportunities.
Interested in getting involved as an athlete, coach, program volunteer, or official? Contact Matt to learn more – mquinn@specialolympicsns.ca
SONS Unified Sport Expansion
Thanks to your support, Unified Sports programs have expanded to more schools across the province. Inclusive basketball, soccer and bocce teams have grown over the last year. Unified sport continues to expands to new schools across Nova Scotia: Oxford, Eastern Shore, Forest Heights. Park View and West Bedford. Unified Days were held at Hants East, Northumberland, West Kings, South Colchester, Sackville and Horton High.
Thank you to the Progress Club of Halifax for supporting the growth of Unified Sport. Check out the video below from a Unified Day at Sackville High.
VOLUNTEERS
Our programs simply would not be possible without the passion and generosity of our volunteers and coaches. If you’ve been inspired by their work and are interested in getting involved, we invite you to join our volunteer community. Whether you’re an experienced coach or new to sport, there is a place for you at Special Olympics Nova Scotia. Visit our website to learn more about how you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our athletes.
Roles we’re recruiting across Nova Scotia for:
- Coaches and Assistant Coaches
- Program Volunteers
- Regional Committee Members
SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS
Thank you to all our incredible supporters and sponsors this year. Your generosity and commitment have made an impact on our athletes and our mission. Your belief in the power of sport, inclusion, and friendship inspires us all and supports the opportunities we create together. We are deeply grateful for your support and partnership in helping us make a difference. A few of our friends who contributed the successes of our athletes this year.
For more information on becoming a sponsor contact John MacDonald – jmacdonald@specialolympicsns.ca
UPCOMING EVENTS
Watch for more details about all of our upcoming events on our website and through social media!
Tim Horton’s Special Olympics Donut campaign will run January 30 – February 1, 2026
Inspired Gala & Auction – The gala will take place on February 18th, 2026 at the Halifax Convention Centre. Tickets are on sale now!
Polar Plunge – The BRAAAVE plungers will take to the icy harbour water on April 18, 2026
Nova Scotia Provincial Summer Games – Get ready this summer for our games to take place from July 3-5, 2026 at STFX University, Antigonish
Special Olympics Canada Summer Games – August 9-15, 2026 in Medicine Hat, Alberta
Nova Scotia Truck Convoy For Special Olympics – Fall 2026 – Date TDA
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Please Consider a Donation Today
You have read about the impact we have in our community. Are you considering donating to a charity this year? Like other charities, Special Olympics Nova Scotia needs your support. Help us continue to offer world-class sport and community programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout Nova Scotia.
Please consider a donation.
Gifts of Securities:
A donation of publicly traded securities allows you to support us and take advantage of the capital gains tax provisions on the donated securities. Learn more here.
Legacy and Planned Giving:
Leaving a gift in your Will may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make and it’s easier than you think. A gift to us through your estate has a lasting impact that ensures your values live on in our organization.
Learn more about the many ways you can make a legacy gift. Please contact John MacDonald, Director, Business Development and Marketing at (902) 429-2266 x 5 or email jmacdonald@specialolympicsns.ca.
