School District 79 held its inaugural Mini-O Track Meet earlier this month, with special needs athletes from across the Cowichan Valley converging to compete and have fun.
Many local businesses and organizations helped make the event a success, including Thrifty Foods, who donated two tents and a SmileCard used to purchase healthy snacks; Island Savings, who provided two tents, St John Ambulance, who sent two attendants and an ambulance to provide first aid; School District 79's International Student Program, which had student helpers at the track meet; retired teachers, principals and vice-principals from the Valley, who volunteered at the meet; MLA Bill Routley's office, which donated 50 dogwood pins; the City of Duncan, which donated 50 pins; MP Jean Crowder's office, which donated 100 Canadian flag pins; Tim Hortons, which contributed coupons and 100 boxes to fill with Timbits; Wendy's, which donated 100 coupons for a free treat; Dairy Queen, which donated 100 coupons for a free treat; and the Citizen and JuiceFM for advertising the event.
"This is the first event I have ever had the opportunity to help organize and I was very blessed by the warm response and willingness to help that I found in our local community as I went around asking people for donations and support," SD 79 Student Support Services administrative secretary Annette West said. "We live in a wonderful valley."