(L-R): Karen McIntyre, SO athlete, Jerry Tennant, SO Red Deer chair, Brad Cotmen, Alberta Sheriffs, and Eileen Mundorf, SO athlete. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

all money stays local

Law enforcement members camping out for Special Olympics all weekend

Aug 27, 2022 | 11:24 AM

The Law Enforcement Torch Run ‘Free Our Finest’ rooftop campout in support of Special Olympics (SO) Alberta is on now through Sunday outside Red Deer’s north Walmart.

During that time, members of Red Deer and Drayton Valley RCMP, Alberta Conservation, Alberta Sheriffs, the local Operations Communications Centre, Alberta Animal Services and Alberta Corrections, plus SO volunteers, will be sleeping atop the store in hopes of raising $20,000 for Special Olympians.

Brad Cotmen with Alberta Sheriffs says all money donated this weekend stays in central Alberta to pay for travel, uniforms, facility and other costs incurred by Special Olympics.

“I love doing this. When I was in training, the sheriffs invited me to the event, I came for the day and I was hooked. I’m now doing it for a ninth year,” says Cotmen. “It’s a fantastic cause because Special Olympics does so much more than promote sports for people with disabilities; it lengthens lifespan and builds confidence and self-esteem.”

Jerry Tennant, chairman of Special Olympics Alberta’s Red Deer chapter, says the organization and its 300 local athletes are eager to get back at it after two years of lost competition.

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In addition to COVID cancellations, two local speed skaters will miss out on going to Russia for the world games this January. The event was supposed to happen in January 2022, but was delayed for pandemic reasons, and then cancelled outright due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The athletes have really missed it, even though we did do some virtual programming during the pandemic. This is their whole life for some of them,” says Tennant. “Our athletes — who have intellectual disabilities and aren’t to be confused with Paralympians — compete in ability categories, as opposed to age, so everyone has a chance to succeed. To see the smiles and the joy they get from visiting with and competing against their friends, it’s something that is amazing to see at their competitions.”

The next big event for Special Olympians is the provincial winter games next February in Strathcona County.

Cash, debit and credit are being accepted for donations outside the north Walmart until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

More information is on the LETR Facebook page.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Law enforcement members camping out for Special Olympics all weekend

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