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Third generation Sault athlete undaunted by leg injuries, will wear her grandmother’s curling shoes in 2019 Games (2 photos)

Exit Realty holds weekend fundraiser for 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games, to be held in Sault

Kristen Bonenfant of Sault Ste. Marie is looking forward to competing in the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games, to be held in the Sault Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2019.  

Bonenfant, who has competed in many summer and winter Special Olympic events in curling, bowling and track and field at the national level, says “my favourite is curling.”

“It’s my family sport, and because I’m a third generation curler I’m going to be wearing my grandmother’s curling shoes,” Bonenfant smiled as she spoke to SooToday at a Special Olympics fundraiser Saturday.

“I used to do track and field but I don’t anymore (due to leg injuries),” but, undeterred, Bonenfant enthusiastically throws her energy into curling.

The upcoming 2019 Special Olympics to be held in the Sault will be Bonenfant’s 21st.

“Special Olympics is a chance to go to different places. A lot of people with disabilities can’t do different sports. Special Olympics allows that for people with different disabilities,” said Bonenfant, who took part the last time the Sault hosted such an event (the Special Olympics Summer Games in 2001), pleased the Sault will be once again hosting a Special Olympics event.

Bonenfant said she is a competitor, but emphasized she enjoys participating for fun.

“If I cannot win, let me be brave and attempt, that’s what I believe. Some people think ‘win, win, win at all cost,’ but I don’t. I think it’s all about doing your best. If you don’t win, don’t make a fuss about it.”

She has, however, won 24 medals in Special Olympics over the years at competitions as far apart as Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“I don’t have room to display all the awards,” Bonenfant chuckled.

Kelsey Barss, another Sault native and Special Olympian, will be competing in downhill and cross country skiing.

“I’ve been skiing since I was two years old,” Barrs said, who has competed in previous summer Games in bowling and swimming.

“I’ve got lots of trophies,” Barss smiled, who has enjoyed travelling to other competitions but is delighted she will be competing in next year’s Winter Games here in her hometown.

Barss and Bonenfant spoke to SooToday at a garage sale fundraiser for the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games, held by Exit Realty at the company’s parking lot on Northern Avenue Saturday.

“Exit Realty is one of our sponsors and they graciously offered to have the garage sale, so we got a lot of donated items from the public, and all proceeds we make will go to Special Olympics,” said Trishia Crema, one of the fundraiser’s organizers and a civilian administrative assistant with the Sault RCMP detachment (Special Olympics being the charity of choice for the International Association of Chiefs of Police).

$600,000 is needed in terms of fundraising for the Games, Crema estimating between $150,000 and $200,000 has been raised so far.

“We’re hoping to raise it all locally,” said Crema, who is the Games vice chair (Sault Police Cst. Shaun Beaulieu being the chair).

Any fundraising shortfalls will be covered by the Special Olympics head office in Toronto.

As with all garage sales, which included donated toys, furniture, arts and crafts and clothing, early birds snapped up many items at 7 a.m. (even though the sale didn’t officially start until 9 a.m.), but there were still plenty of items on sale as of 12 p.m. Saturday.

“This is an excellent cause and we’re in the people business, so any types of community events we can get involved in, we do, and we really try to do our best,” said Kristen Trembinski, Exit Realty co-owner, adding more Exit fundraisers for the games are in the works between now and winter 2019.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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