NEWS RELEASE
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ORILLIA
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The Knights of Columbus Orillia Council 1428 recognized their own and the Special Olympics at a Volunteer Recognition Dinner held recently at Guardian Angels Church.
Grand Knight Graham Swales recognized the ‘Knights’ with long-standing service to the club and those who went over and above the call of duty dedicating themselves to their church and community. The impact that these individuals have had is immeasurable.
One of the successful events hosted by the Knights of Columbus this year was the Mother's Day Great Escape Dinner Dance fundraiser held at the Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club in support of the Special Olympics.
Linda Ashe, Vice President Special Olympics Ontario was on hand to accept a donation from the proceeds of this fundraiser. Grand Knight Graham Swales and Ralph Cipolla, Deputy Grand Knight, presented Ashe with a cheque for $5000. Ashe thanked the Knights of Columbus for their ongoing support of the Special Olympics and acknowledged the long history of the Knights’ support for the great work done by this organization.
The Special Olympics organization provides a forum for athletes with an intellectual disability to compete in sports such as bowling, track and field, speed skating, figure skating just to name a few. The organization also enables Special Olympians to experience the excitement of competition with their peers, a sense of accomplishment and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Ashe commented that some of the donation will support Special Olympians from Orillia and area to attend the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games being held in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in July.
All in all, it was a great evening celebrating the efforts of these two great organizations.
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