L&A OPP to take on Napanee Fire at hockey game in support of Special Olympics

This weekend, the Lennox & Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be taking on the Napanee Fire Department in a friendly game of hockey in support of the Special Olympics.

From 6 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, the friendly competition will take place at the Strathcona Paper Centre’s Goodyear Ice Pad at 16 McPherson Drive in Greater Napanee. According to a release from the OPP, a Special Olympics Athlete will be doing the ceremonial puck drop at the start of the game and other Special Olympics Athletes will be in attendance assisting with the event.

“We’re always looking to help our local community groups, and the Special Olympics are dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, so we decided to get involved and help them raise money,” said Const. David Yome, Community Saftey and Media Relations Officer for the L&A OPP.

“We’re going to have one of the Special Olympics atheletes drop the puck, and there will be representatives from the Special Olympics present, talking to people and collecting donations.”

The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities. According to the Special Olympics’ website, their mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

And for those involved in the fundraising effort, the event also serves as a means of connecting with the community while enjoying friendly competition with fellow emergency responders, Yome expressed.

“We encourage everyone to come down, watch the game, have some fun, and make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities by making a donation to the Special Olympics!” he said.

Those at the event can also indulge in the Best Arena Fries in Ontario, recently awarded to Big D’s, who operate the canteen at the Strathcona Paper Centre.

Donations will be collected at the game with all proceeds going to the Special Olympics.

With files from Tori Stafford.