Special Olympics Caledon to host first annual golf tournament

Written By JOSHUA SANTOS

A new charity golf tournament has been launched in Caledon

Special Olympics Caledon will host the event on Saturday, June 22. 

Tickets for the contest, at the Caledon Woods Golf Course, will cost $160 per person. It will feature a lunch, dinner, raffle for $160 with all proceeds going to support the organization. 

The tournament will act as the non-profit organization's flagship event to generate funds to cover their ongoing expenses to grow. They would like at least 100 people at the tournament.

“We are hoping to generate between $10,000 and $15,000,” said Joe Sassine, vice chair for Special Olympics Ontario Caledon. “The funds will go towards our sports, uniforms and tournament expenses for our athletes. we currently have six sports.”

They currently offer bowling, basketball, soccer, golf and swimming, with plans to provide more sports for their Special Olympics athletes.

The idea was initiated by Franca de Stefano, member of the fundraising team and supported by Sassine and the Special Olympics Caledon Council. 

The organization aims to be an inclusive hub for athletes with an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay or a developmental disability.

Working with other interested parents, Sassine, de Stefano and Gary Derrell, community co-ordinator for Special Olympics Caledon, set out on a mission to develop a chapter in Caledon. The organization launched in January 2018.

“We wanted to open a new Special Olympics in Caledon because there are many Special Olympians in Caledon that have no organization to belong to,” said Sassine. “We started out with just four or five bowlers and a couple of lanes. As we discuss now, we have grown to about three dozen bowlers, and 15 other athletes in different sports.”

Sassine said the organization grew a lot by word of mouth, with parents discussing the new organization in town.

“These activities come with costs,” said Sassine “As well, the sheer size of Caledon presents difficulties. We are determined to do whatever it takes to make sure our athletes find homes for any sport that they like to participate in.”

For more information, visit specialolympics.ca or email info@specialolympics.ca