Coach, volunteer honoured

From left: Special Olympics Nova Scotia volunteer of the year Terry Richardson, 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games mission staff member Cathy Mason and Special Olympics Canada male coach of the year Ross MacIntosh. (Goodwin photo)

NEW GLASGOW – It was a landmark evening of celebration for local Special Olympics volunteers and patrons.
Cathy Mason, Terry Richardson and Ross MacIntosh of Special Olympics Pictou County were honoured for their contributions last Wednesday at the Special Olympics NS Festival Dinner and Auction in Halifax.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay also attended as a friend of Special Olympics to present the First Annual Dr. Frank Hayden Award and to talk about why he is so passionate about Special Olympics.
Jamie Belong received the Hayden award.
MacKay was honourary chairman of the 2011 Nova Scotia Special Olympics Winter Games that took place about a year ago in Pictou County.
“It was an outstanding event – Pictou County was shining,” MacKay said. “Jamie epitomized the joy people associate with the Special Olympics – he was inspiring. It was a night for people to see the good of this organization.”
MacKay shared a special connection he has with the Special Olympics. His cousin Tina Herman was a Special Olympics athletes and worked at Summer Street Industries in New Glasgow.
“I saw how much it did for Tina,” he said. “She was so fond of participating in the Special Olympics. I was immediately drawn to them.”
MacIntosh was recognized for being named Special Olympics Canada male coach of the year and Richardson was cited as Special Olympics Nova Scotia volunteer of the year.
“It represents all Special Olympics and it’s wonderful to be part of it,” Richardson said.
“I’m very proud of my team in Pictou County,” MacIntosh said. “One person can’t win. It takes the whole team.”
Mason, regional co-ordinator for Special Olympics Pictou County, was chosen to represent Canada as part of Special Olympics Team Canada mission staff for cross country skiing during the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea.
She donned a blue and white six-foot-long scarf, one of 32 made in Pictou County to fill an order for 2,500 of them to present to participants from every province at the upcoming Winter Games from Feb. 28 to March 3 in St. Albert, Alberta.
Highland Community Residential Service executive director Hilary Amit suggested a scarf, and Julia Dorrington of Westville was joined by others to knit them.
“It’s awesome,” Mason said. “We thought we’d come up with a dozen. We got 32 made and everyone is unique.”
The gala’s keynote speaker was Theo Fleury, former NHL forward and Stanley Cup winner in 1989 with the Calgary Flames, who has shared how he has overcome the sexual abuse he experienced while playing junior hockey.
“Fleury’s message – Don’t Quit before the Miracle – is one of true inspiration and perseverance,” said Lesley Anne Sobey, who chairs public relations and co-chairs fundraising for Special Olympics Pictou County.
“He was really inspirational,” MacIntosh said. “What he went through and coming back positively shows we can all do it.”
Volunteers are also organizing a Wild West Casino Night March 31 for those aged 19 and older at Summer Street Industries to raise funds in Support of Special Olympics Pictou County and Northern Region Respite Services.
It starts at 7 p.m. with a mock casino featuring blackjack, plinko and wheels. There will also be live and silent auctions
Ann MacGregor is the emcee and Brian Haines is the auctioneer
Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase shortly at Summer Street Industries.