Meet Athlete Ambassadors, Madelyn Murphy | Empire Family of Brands Fundraising Campaign 2026
Ask Madelyn Murphy about her favourite part of Special Olympics, and she’ll quickly list off a few answers: basketball, soccer, baseball, a game called “chaos” that lives up to its name — and especially the group cheer with all her friends at the end of every session.
For the eight-year-old from Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Special Olympics has become a place where she can have fun, try new activitiesand build confidence alongside teammates and coaches she loves being around.
“It’s fun!” Madelyn says. “I like playing games, the coaches are nice, and I like doing the cheer at the end of class.”
A proud Special Olympics Canada athlete, Madelyn first joined Active Start and Fundamentals programming in September 2024 after her mother, Jessica, was searching for extracurricular activities that would be a good fit for her daughter.
“I came across the Special Olympics website,” Jessica recalls. “I reached out via email and Nancy got back to me and invited us to the Active Start program. The rest is history!”
Since joining the program, Madelyn’s family has watched her confidence continue to grow both in sport and in daily life.
For Madelyn’s parents, that growth reflects the message behind this year’s Empire Family of Brands in-store fundraising campaign: “Every best is personal.”
“It focuses on an individual's personal growth and abilities rather than comparing to others,” Jessica says.
When asked to describe Madelyn’s personal best, her family immediately thinks of the personal growth they have seen in her since joining Special Olympics.
“Not only has her skill set improved, but her charming personality along with her confidence and believing in herself as well.”
Madelyn’s family says inclusion through sport and community programs like Special Olympics plays an important role in helping youngathletes feel connected, confident and valued.
That is why they hope Canadians will support Special Olympics athletes during this year’s Empire Family of Brands in-store fundraising campaign.
“It is so important for the athletes to continue to have this organization, community and opportunities,” Jessica says. “Fundraising, along with your donations, make all that possible!”
From June 11 to 21, customers visiting participating Empire Family of Brands stores across Canada can donate $2 at checkout to help support Special Olympics athletes like Madelyn — helping create more opportunities for children, youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience sport, confidence, friendship and community.
When asked what she would like to say to Empire Family of Brands teammates and customers supporting Special Olympics athletes across Canada, Madelyn’s message is heartfelt and direct:
“Thank you! That is very nice of you!”
And for families considering getting involved with Special Olympics, her mom has one simple message:
“Please do! It is such a warm and welcoming organization and community that you will feel proud to be a part of.”
For Madelyn and her family, though, this is only the beginning.
You can support Special Olympics athletes like Madelyn by making a donation this June 11 to 21 at participating Empire Family of Brands stores including: Sobeys, Safeway, Ontario Foodland, Atlantic Foodland and participating CO-OPs, IGA West, Thrifty Foods, Lawtons Drugs and Needs Convenience stores.
Learn more: www.specialolympics.ca/Empire
