Meet Athlete Ambassadors, Sophia Gallant | Empire Family of Brands Fundraising Campaign 2026

At Special Olympics, Sophia Gallant has learned to leap over obstacles — literally. 

Her family still talks about the moment it happened for the first time. 

“Our girl jumped over an obstacle at Special Olympics for the very first time and it just blew us away,” her mother, Megan, recalls. “Every single person cheered, we caught it on video, and she left feeling so very proud of herself.” 

For Sophia’s family, it was about far more than clearing an obstacle during programming with Special Olympics in Miramichi, New Brunswick. It was a moment that captured everything the organization had given their daughter: confidence, opportunity, community and the freedom to discover what she is capable of. 

Now 11 years old, Sophia participates in Special Olympics Miramichi youth development programming, including Fundamentals, skating and swimming. But when the family first discovered that Special Olympics was launching local programming in Miramichi through a Facebook post shared by a friend, they had no idea just how meaningful it would become. 

“We were the first family to ever attend here in Miramichi and, for the first few weeks, it was just us,” Megan says. “We have been there since the beginning and have seen so much growth these past couple of years.”  

For Sophia and her sister, Special Olympics opened the door to opportunities their family had struggled to find elsewhere. 

“Special Olympics broke that barrier,” Megan says. “It gave our girls the opportunity to participate in an extracurricular activity where they could safely and fully be themselves.”  

And Sophia has embraced every moment of it. 

Over time, her family has watched Sophia continue to surprise herself. 

Jumping became leaping. 

Walking became running. 

And now, skating has become hockey dreams. 

For the Gallants, those moments are exactly what this year’s Empire Family of Brands in-store fundraising campaign message — “Every best is personal” — is all about. 

“The little things are the big things,” Megan says. “Each one of us is different. We all have our own strengths and our own path, but we can build alongside one another every step of the way.”  

Sophia’s personal best, they say, is not tied to medals or results, but to having the opportunity to discover what she is capable of in an environment where she feels supported, included and celebrated. 

“It’s finding the confidence to lean into exactly who you are,” Megan says. “With the right supports and the right attitude, nothing is off limits.”  

That belief in possibility has extended throughout the entire family. 

Sophia herself loves the music, the volunteers, the friends she has made, and the chance to simply participate alongside her peers. 

“Running really fast and jumping!” she says when asked about her favourite activities. “I like skating and swimming.”  

Her family believes that is why Canadians believing in inclusion in sport matters so deeply. 

“It is your way of letting our kids know that they matter and that they have a place that they belong,” Megan says. “There are so many incredible lessons learned in sports, and for kiddos with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those lessons extend far beyond the rules of the game.”  

That is why they hope people across Canada will support Special Olympics athletes during this year’s Empire Family of Brands campaign. 

“Your support matters and it can make such a big difference,” Megan says.  

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 Sophia — helping create more opportunities for children, youthand adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience sport, confidence, friendship and community. 

And for Sophia, the impact of those opportunities is something she already understands deeply. 

“When you support Special Olympics, you support kids like me,” she says. “And kids like me can do incredible things.”