Have you ever seen 3,200 scarves all in one place? Kathy Manchak has, and it's a glorious sight to see.
Back in January, the director of special events and hospitality for next week's Special Olympics Canada Winter Games put out the call to knitters far and wide to help her with a unique project. She asked for a red, white and blue scarf for each athlete, coach and volunteer in the games.
For a while it seemed like the dream of accumulating 2,500 scarves was too big, but as time went on, the anxiety abated and was replaced with a growing storage situation. It's a good thing that she has such a dedicated group of volunteers to help out.
"They have already packaged them up into bags. We've got them all bundled up according to team and organization that needs them."
She wanted to send out a hearty thanks to everyone who helped with the woolly warm donations.
"Every time I look at the scarves, I truly am thrilled and excited at the effort and the love that everyone put into knitting. It's so exciting!"
Volunteers still left to get oriented
There was a massive orientation held last Friday and Saturday for the 700 volunteers of next week's Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Only 500 showed up, leaving director of administration and volunteers Sandyne Beach-McCutcheon with having to set up a last chance session.
"It was good," she admitted, referring to the attendance, "It would have been even better if there were even more, obviously. Each time they don't come in you've got to ponder when they're going to come in. Given that it was a long weekend, all things being considered, and such a nice weather weekend, we're happy with that."
The final opportunity for volunteers to attend the mandatory orientation takes place tomorrow from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Games office located in the Hemingway Centre, 25 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue (the former RCMP headquarters). There, they will get their accreditation, shift schedules and uniforms.
The games take place from Tuesday, Feb. 28 to Saturday, March 3 at locations in and around St. Albert and Jasper. For more information, visit www.stalbert2012.ca.
