There's a tear in his eye when Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris recalls the story of how the Prince George Special Olympics team used to have to travel overnight to compete down south.
Over the last 19 years the Dick Harris Special Olympics golf tournament has raised almost $700,000 for the local team. This year's 20th anniversary event will be held Friday, June 21 at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club. The game is Texas Scramble style.
"We're really proud of the success we've had over the last 20 years," said Harris. "It's beyond comprehension."
Harris was been involved as the parent of an athlete for more than 20 years, when his son Michael began swimming on the local Special Olympics team, he said.
"I remember a competition they were going to one time and they had to drive to Vancouver in a 30-year-old yellow school bus and then compete for the weekend and then drive back and it was the most uncomfortable thing you could imagine and they couldn't sleep on the bus,"said Harris. "So I said we've got to do something and when we raised $19,000 during our first tournament we got them a comfortable bus and they've had it ever since. I'm so thrilled about that. They can sleep on it, they've got videos, audio and it's really comfortable. They arrive ready to compete and when they return they've had a good sleep and they can return to their daily lives."
Fundraising efforts have been increasing each year, with $60,000 raised last year and Harris appreciates that.
"We've got incredible sponsors that have been with us for 20 years," said Harris. "I'm so proud of what we've accomplished and totally unashamed to admit we're always looking for more sponsors for this wonderful cause."
To participate in the tournament call Jeanne Clough at 250-564-7771.
