National Volunteer Week
(April 19 - 25)
It's time to applaud our Special Olympics volunteers!
For National Volunteer Week, we are asking our volunteers WHY they do what they do...

Over 14,000 volunteers spend their time cheering on Special Olympics athletes across Ontario. Now it's our turn to cheer for THEM.

Here's Special Olympics Ontario coach Gilles' WHY:

"It's National Volunteer Week #NVW2020 for @SpecialOCanada & @SOOntario so many reasons #WhyIVolunteerSOC"
Please join us in applauding this inspiring group this week - and every week!

JOIN THE #NVW2020 CONVERSATION:

1) Follow us on social media ( Facebook , Twitter , Instagram ) as we share inspiring volunteer stories.

2) If you are a volunteer yourself, visit this web page to download our National Volunteer Week images and post to social media with #WhyIVolunteerSOC #NVW2020 @SpecialOCanada @SOOntario

Without volunteers, weekly training, competition and fundraising events wouldn't happen. They work tirelessly to support Special Olympics athletes, while asking for nothing in return.

Let's wish a Happy National Volunteer Week to our amazing team across Ontario!
Stay Positive:  Tools and resources to help support the mental health of the Special Olympics Ontario community.
This week we are narrowing in on the importance of staying positive and ways to do it through our Healthy @ Home program.

Staying positive can be difficult to do or confusing at times, so Special Olympics Ontario has come up with some helpful tips for you to try from home:
Use the worksheet below to help you write out or draw what you will do this week to stay positive!
COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE
WE'VE WALKED OVER 5,358 KM
TOGETHER!
The Healthy @ Home Coast to Coast Walking Challenge has picked up a lot of interest all around the country!

Together, we have walked over 5,358 KM! Thank you to those who continue to log how many minutes they walk, each day.

You can still join us today - The rules are simple: all you have to do is go for a daily walk and record the time (minutes) you spent walking - that's it!
How do you submit the time (minutes) you spent walking?

Remember, we are challenging athletes, coaches, volunteers, family and friends to come together as one community working towards one common goal by virtually walking across Canada!
Track the amount of time you spend walking while continuing to practice physical distancing.

Every little bit helps us reach our overall goal as a community!
Do you know someone who does not have access
to the Internet?

Please let them know they can call in to the Healthy @ Home Coast to Coast hotline at: 1-888-333-5515 ext. 300 .
All they would have to do is call, leave a message with their name and how long they walked for today - that's it!
WEEKLY WELLNESS CHALLENGE
This week's theme is dancing!

Each day we'll be learning a new dance move and then next week, on International Dance Day, Wednesday, April 29
we will put it all together on Facebook LIVE!
THIS WEEK WE HAVE THREE
FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTS:
Do you have questions about COVID-19?
Join us Wednesday, April 22 @ 7 PM EST on Facebook LIVE with Dr. Arnav Agarwal from the University of Toronto.

Visit this link: https://sohealthyathome.ca/stay-informed/ask-a-doctor/ to ask your questions today and Dr. Arnav Agarwal will help answer them on Wednesday!
Join us this Friday, April 24 at 12 PM EST on Facebook LIVE for the first episode of our new virtual series: “From the Stands” where SOO athlete and staff member Ryan Colpitts will interview one special guest each episode.

This week we are happy to welcome Tess Trojan!
Tune in to learn more about Tess’ experience as an athlete and SOO board member, and how she is staying healthy, active, and positive at home! 
During this session we will learn about mindful eating, the physical signs of hunger and fullness, and learn about the hunger scale and how to use it.

We’ll also discuss the importance of being kind to ourselves and some practical tips for eating mindfully during this time!

To end off, we’ll do a guided mindful eating meditation with a small snack. Bring a raisin, small piece of chocolate, grape, cracker or other small snack for this exercise!

Click below to RSVP for this Friday, April 24 at 2 PM EST.
LOOKING FOR MORE VIRTUAL WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE?
ATHLETE HIGHLIGHT
Special Olympics Peterborough put together a great collage that they shared with Special Olympics Ontario community on social media - check it out!

Athletes from Special Olympics Peterborough Piranha Swim Club are continuing to stay connected, stay active, stay positive and stay informed!
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SHARE WITH US ON SOCIAL AND
STAY CONNECTED
We want to see what you're up to!
So remember to tag Special Olympics Ontario and use #SOHealthyAtHome

Your photo/video/story could be included in a future
Healthy @ Home newsletter!
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