Bringing Home the Spirit of the Games

There are more than 95 Spirit of BC committees around the province, representing more than 200 communities. These volunteer committees are the heart of the Spirit of BC program (www.SpiritofBC.com), a partnership between 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of B.C. that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Winter Games.

Each February, Spirit of BC committees work with local partners to organize Spirit of BC Week, a celebration of B.C.'s unique communities and a countdown to the 2010 Winter Games. Hudson's Hope has embraced this annual celebration with events such as an outdoor curling bonspiel and a physical activity challenge, in which the community "walked" to Whistler in one day by logging their steps.

"Everyone got into the spirit," says Lenore Harwood, district mayor and chair of the local Spirit of BC committee. "Three-hundred people registered!"

Why such a good turnout? Harwood says people are looking forward to the Games and want to share their pride.

"We don't expect a lot of foreign visitors to come in 2010," says Harwood, "but we want to catch the spirit anyway and celebrate what's special about our community."

Harwood says residents have become even more enthusiastic and determined when it comes to improving their community.

"This year, we started fundraising for an x-ray machine. We thought it would take a long time...but we got there in three months."

In Hudson's Hope, the excitement around the 2010 Winter Games is creating a feeling and a belief that anything is possible when people work together. And that's what Spirit of BC is all about.

Spirit of BC is a province-wide program that involves 95 Spirit of BC committees, representing over 200 communities across the province. These committees support local programs and help create opportunities in sport and recreation, arts, literacy, volunteerism, business and tourism.

The committees also host local events for Spirit of BC Week, an annual province-wide celebration. Spirit of BC Week is held in February, and showcases local programs and services that strengthen community arts, literacy, sport, recreation and volunteerism. Spirit of BC is supported by the Province of British Columbia. Visit SpiritofBC.com for more information.