SOUTH BAYMOUTH—For Nancy Leeson, volunteering began at an early age, waitressing the fish and hunter dinners at the South Baymouth hall.
“As I entered high school, I became involved in sports and served on Students’ Council for two years,” Ms. Leeson explained. “Always an athlete, one day we were told we had to learn the sport of curling. Miss Wagg was our teacher at the time and she marched us down to the Mindemoya curling rink. At first I thought it was boring, but ended up enjoying the game and curled on the high school team.” It was this newfound skill that would serve Ms. Leeson, and her community, well in the years to come.
Ms. Leeson told The Expositor that following school, marriage and children, she began her volunteer role in earnest, becoming a Tehkummah First Responder, serving on the Leisure Services committee and on the South Baymouth Development Commission.
“Many moons ago Harold Dewar called to ask if I would like to get my curling coaching certificate,” she said. “When I passed all my courses, I volunteered at the Assiginack Curling Club teaching curling skills to Grade 7 and 8 for two years.”
About 10 years ago Ms. Leeson again fielded another phone call, this time from Manitoulin Special Olympics coordinator Janet Anning, to ask if she would consider coaching Special Olympics curling as it was a qualifying year. She explained that it progressed slowly with many athletes learning the sport.
“It took us eight years and much hard work and commitment to make it to the nationals in Newfoundland (this winter) where our young team won the silver medal in the A division,” Ms. Leeson said proudly, noting that currently, there is not a Worlds division for curling, but this is something Special Olympics hopes to add in the future. “We have become a family with parents, athletes and Ellen Holroyd, who came on board as a coach three years ago.”
Ms. Leeson can’t say enough about the camaraderie she feels as a Special Olympics volunteer. “The time with these athletes; they’re so full of energy, so joyful. They really work hard at what they do and it just gives you a warm feeling.”
“This experience of being a volunteer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Ms. Leeson shared. “When someone comes along and asks you to become a volunteer, don’t turn it down because you will never know what relationships you will share with athletes, family and friends.”
