Jackie Charchuk receives David Andrew Memorial Award
Alberton resident, facility honoured
Two Special Olympics P.E.I. annual awards returned to Alberton. Resident Jackie Charchuk was introduced as the recipient of the David Andrew Memorial Award, which recognizes unsung heroes – parents and guardians – of athletes. The facility of the year was the Alberton Bowling Lanes. Charchuk is the mother of Special Olympics athlete Janet Charchuk.
Jackie understands the importance of Special Olympics in not only her daughter’s life, but all athletes. She does more than just getting Janet to practice, and is always willing to do whatever has to be done.
Over the years, Jackie has attended every event that Janet has participated in, including flying to Austria during her daughter’s first-ever World Games earlier this year.
Jackie enjoys being involved in Special Olympics fundraising/social events, is a mentor through the Athlete Leadership Program and is involved in her community through the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. David Andrew, who was a Special Olympics family member, passed away in 2002. Andrew was a shining example of many parents and guardians involved in Special Olympics P.E.I. He was always in the background helping with fundraising, and most of all cheering and supporting his son, Scott.
Facility
The Alberton Bowling Lanes have supported the local program for many years. The staff is always willing to help other volunteers by going over and above their duties.
It is an automated facility, which enables athletes, coaches and volunteers to easily run the program. Its location is convenient, and it has an elevator for those who use mobility devices. Two athletes from Charlottetown received prestigious awards at the Special Olympics P.E.I. annual awards ceremony recently.
Rick Chan was presented with the ADL Spirit Award while Sophia Allen picked up the Dr. Frank Hayden Award. The Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club received the President’s Award.
A media release issued by Special Olympics P.E.I. notes that Chan’s social and athletic skills have come a long way since he joined Special Olympics. When Chan first started with Special Olympics P.E.I., he was very shy and hesitant to try new things. Now he is described as chatty, and loves hanging out with fellow athletes. Chan, who will attend the National Games as part of the bocce team, is eager to try new sports and getting more and more comfortable with building on his numerous friendships.
Allen is involved in rhythmic gymnastics, youth multi-sport and CrossFit, and has shown great improvement in all. She is always cheering on her teammates.
Even though Sophia was too young to compete at Provincial Games, she trained with the team in the lead-up and travelled with her family to watch/ cheer on her teammates. She is dedicated to the performance program at CrossFit 782. The Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club has been an ongoing supporter of central fundraising, and is a big supporter of the Special Olympics Festival. Their passion to support athletes is not purely financial as they often are supporting grassroots programming in the Charlottetown area in providing end-of-season barbecues and recognizing the accomplishments of our hard-working volunteers.