Special Olympics

Each September, members from Ontario, including the Niagara regional Police Service (NRPS), Niagara Parks Police Service (NPP), Niagara Parks, Canada Border Security Agency (CBSA), Corrections Officers, and Special Olympic Athletes, are lead by the NRPS colour guard and piper to the International line in the middle of the Rainbow Bridge. Here, we meet up with our American counterparts and jointly light the flame of hope to celebrate the message of inclusion.

The LETR for Special Olympics engages police services around the country to champion acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, starting first with their own communities. Our 6 District - Port Colborne & Wainfleet detachment hosts the Niagara event, with members of the NRPS escorting local special Olympic Athletes to HH Knoll Part in PTC to open Canada Day festivities.

Visit the Torch Run Ontario Website to learn more.

The Polar Plunge is currently the largest Provincial fundraiser for the Special Olympics, raising over $750,000 last year with a goal of 1 million dollars this year. The Plunge is hosted annually in Port Colborne, with the event open to all NRPS members as well as members of the community. 

The cold waters don't chill anyones spirits though, with many participants dressing up in costumes and getting #FreezinForAReason.

Learn more about the Polar Plunge here.

Each year the OHL, in partnership with the NRPS, offers one game to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics. Members of the NRPS assist with crowd donation collection, and there is a ceremonial puck drop by a member and a Special Olympic Athlete.

Each January, Tim Hortons partners with Special Olympics over three days and features a Special Olympic donut. 100% of the proceeds go directly to Special Olympics Canada, and NRPS members are encouraged to share pictures online with messages of inclusion.