The Special Olympics Flag Relay made its way to Sunset Lanes Bowling in Port Elgin where it was signed by athletes, members of the Knights of Columbus and Mayor Mike Smith, January 18.

Hub Staff

The Knights of Columbus brought the Special Olympics flag to Port Elgin’s Sunset Bowling January 18 when athletes who are part of the Special Olympics Central Bruce were hitting the lanes.

Wayne Caskanette, Port Elgin Knights of Columbus Chairman for Special Olympics brought the flag to be signed and donated $1,099 that had been collected through a Fall bottle drive. The funds will be donated to Special Olympics Ontario with 40 percent coming back to the Central Bruce area.

The Fall bottle drive saw 12 olympians and 16 members of the Knights of Columbus collect bottles on a windy day in October with a healthy donation worth $139.30 from Super 8 Motel. A donation box that was stationed at Holiday Park Campground raised $750, all thanks to Holiday Park employees Cheryl Smethurst and Curtis Button, which will go directly to Special Olympics Central Bruce.

The flag is part of a relay began at the 2011 Special Olympics Provincial Floor Hockey Championships in Sudbury, and has since been a part of the opening ceremonies of all provincial championships and games

There are 13 flags circulating around Ontario that have been signed by Special Olympians, dignitaries and community members.

Members of the Central Bruce Special Olympics team will be competing nationally in 2018. In May Carly Underwood will be participating in bowling, in July Jaqueline Gravel will be representing Central Bruce in Track.

Carly Underwood (left), Coach Robert McCourt and Jaqueline Gravel will be representing the Central Bruce Special Olympics at upcoming nationals.

Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith signs the Special Olympics Flag.

Gerry Walsh (right) and Wayne Caskanette of the Knights of Columbus (second from right) donated $1,099 from their Fall bottle drive to Special Olympic members Jaqueline Gravel (center), Carly Underwood and Coach Robert McCourt (left).