$20,000 raised for Special Olympics Kelowna

Published 6:00 am Monday, March 9, 2026

Dozens of Kelowna athletes braved chilling waters to raise money for a good cause.

On Sunday, March 8, over 60 people faced strong winds and jumped into the waters at the Hot Sands Beach, capping off weeks of fundraising for the Kelowna Special Olympics.

“Our athletes jumped in the lake for the polar plunge, it was the last celebration for the money that they raised,” said Nicole Smith, events coordinator for Special Olympics Kelowna. “We were able to raise just over $20,000.”

Smith said the money raised will go towards supporting their programs which serves around 200 athletes in each of its winter and summer sports programs.

The Special Olympics program provides people with intellectual disabilities access to free sporting programs and competitions.

“It’s also providing opportunities for them to know what it’s like to be on a team. That sense of community, physical activity, and the teams that we have, the coaches that we have, support our athletes,” Smith said.

“It’s a great community of people, and we love the public supporting. It just brings that awareness for a group that are deserving of that acknowledgement.”

Smith added that the Special Olympics branch in Kelowna will be hosting a bowl-a-thon on April 18 that anyone in the community can sign up for.

Kelowna will also be the host city of the Special Olympics Canada 2028 Winter Games.