Howling Huskies Continue Proud Tradition at the Labrador Winter Games

According to Club Coordinator Scott MacDonald, preparations for this year’s Games have been especially busy, with four Howling Huskies coaches serving as LWG chairpersons.

MacDonald is serving in his third Games as Special Olympics Co-Chairperson. Andrea MacDonald is taking on her first term as Special Olympics Co-Chairperson after volunteering at three previous Games. Jill Williams is marking her fifth Games as Snowshoe Chairperson and also serves as a consultant for Special Olympics, 50+ Snowshoe, and Northern Duathlon. Amanda is serving as Northern Duathlon Chairperson in her first year in the role and her second Games overall as a volunteer.

The commitment to the Games runs deep within their families. Since 2019, MacDonald’s household has had four family members involved in each Games, while Williams’ household has also seen her husband and two children volunteer. What began as community involvement has become a true Howling Huskies family tradition.

Coordinating Special Olympics at the Games

Every Games year, the LWG Board reaches out to the Howling Huskies Club Coordinator to appoint a chairperson responsible for coordinating the Special Olympics portion of the event. This includes working closely with venue chairpersons, particularly at Birch Brook for skiing and now at Amaruk Golf Course for snowshoeing.

The Special Olympics Chairperson also connects with other Special Olympics clubs across the province to determine athlete participation. Countless volunteer hours are dedicated to organizing events and ensuring safe, smooth competition experiences for Special Olympics athletes and all competitors.

Because of the smaller number of athletes participating, traditional divisioning is not possible. Instead, athletes are paired with individuals of similar skill levels and awarded medals for their participation. Individual times are recorded and can be submitted for qualifying purposes if an athlete chooses to pursue that opportunity.

Although they do not compete under community team registrations, athletes proudly represent their hometowns as registered Special Olympics athletes. One such athlete is Melanie Smith, who registers with the Howling Huskies during Games years in order to compete. This marks her fourth Labrador Winter Games, where she represents both L’Anse au Clair and the Howling Huskies with pride.

Athletes Giving Back

Special Olympics athletes also contribute beyond competition. During Games week, they serve as medal presenters and flag bearers, playing visible and meaningful roles in ceremonies throughout the event.

On February 14, seven Howling Huskies athletes carried the LWG torch for the longest stretch of the torch run in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Photos from the torch run are available on the club’s public Facebook page. Some of the athletes competing this year have participated in the Games since 2013, when Special Olympics was first invited to take part — a longstanding honour for the club.

Behind the Scenes: A Community Effort

Coordinating Special Olympics involvement at the Labrador Winter Games requires collaboration across many committees and operational areas, including:

• Opening and Closing Ceremonies: Organizing athlete seating, accommodating mobility needs, and arranging for a Special Olympics athlete to deliver the oath. This year, first-time LWG participant Amy Cabot will have that honour.

• VIP and Ground Transportation: Ensuring transportation to and from ceremonies.

• Medical Services: Working with medical teams to ensure adequate first responders are on site and that Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) are in place at every venue.

• Medals: Coordinating medal quantities and organizing Special Olympics athletes and coaches to assist with medal ceremonies.

• Snowshoe and Ski Venues: Coordinating registration, track layouts, grooming requirements, and ensuring athlete needs are met.

• Accommodations: Arranging lodging for athletes travelling from outside Happy Valley–Goose Bay.

• Registration: Registering athletes and volunteers and submitting photos for official ID credentials.

The Labrador Winter Games continue to be a highlight for the Howling Huskies and their athletes. With more than a decade of involvement, strong family participation, and unwavering volunteer commitment, the club remains proud to play a central role in ensuring Special Olympics athletes have the opportunity to compete, contribute, and shine on one of Labrador’s biggest sporting stages.