Tourism, Culture and Recreation
November 30, 2007

The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Newfoundlander Named Volunteer of the Year for Canada

Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador (SONL), the provincial sport organization for individuals with an intellectual disability, is proud to announce the selection of Evan Ash as Special Olympics Canada�s 2007 Volunteer of the Year.

Evan Ash � Jim Thompson Award

Newfoundland and Labrador�s Evan Ash is the 2007 Jim Thompson Award recipient. Evan amply fulfills the criteria for the Jim Thompson Award with his contributions, development and enhancement of Special Olympics over the last 10 years. Evan has had a profound impact on the Special Olympics movement in Canada through his efforts at the Regional, Provincial and National level. In a local context, Evan has been an integral member of the Special Olympics Mount Pearl Club. He started with the club as a member of the fundraising committee and assumed the role of Program Director from 2002-2006. Evan has served as Chef de Mission for Team Mount Pearl at the Provincial Games five times and was a member of the host committee twice. Evan has been a member of Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador�s Provincial Board of Directors since 1998 and sits on the organizing committee for the Chapter�s two largest fundraisers, their Special Olympics Festival and North Atlantic Petroleum Charity Golf Event. From 2002-2007, Evan served as a member of the Special Olympics Canada Coaches Sub-Committee. Taking his commitment to an international level, Evan participated as a "fan extraordinaire" by traveling with his family to Nagano, Japan to cheer on his son Andrew, a member of Team Canada�s 2005 Snowshoeing Squad. Evan Ash�s passion, dedication and respect for others make him a very commendable recipient of the 2007 Jim Thompson Award.

Evan was selected for this honour from a group of nominees across the country. As the recipient of this prestigious award Evan will be attending the Special Olympics Festival on Wednesday, December 5 in Toronto. On Tuesday, December 4, Special Olympics Canada will host an awards evening, at which time, his efforts will be acknowledged and award presentations will be made.

Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is dedicated to enriching the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans with an intellectual disability through sport. It is a provincial not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for over 450 athletes of all ages and abilities. There are currently 12 community-based clubs that offer sport programs. Through sport Special Olympics offers athletes and families a sense of achievement and an opportunity to excel as they take on leadership roles within their community

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Media contact:
Johnny Byrne
Executive Director
Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador
354 Water Street � Suite 426
St. John�s, NL A1C 1C4
709-738-1923, 690-8334
Fax: 709-738-0119
johnnyb@sonl.ca

2007 11 30                                                   11:15 a.m.


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