If you needed an idea of the impact Special Olympics Yukon has on the lives of its volunteers, and the impact those volunteers have on SOY athletes, there was no better place to look than this morning's press conference at Mic Mac Toyota.

An athlete, a coach and a board member sat at the table, all of which have dedicated numerous hours to SOY, as well as enjoyed numerous opportunities and moments of joy.

There was Special Olympian Garry Chaplin, who has won numerous medals for the territory at both national and international eventsincluding a gold, silver and bronze in cross-country skiing at the 2005 World Games in Nagano, Japan.

Chaplin was joined by RCMP Corporal Grant MacDonald, the territorial program chairperson for SOY, who was recently named the City of Whitehorse's volunteer of the year, and Christina McGillivray, also a volunteer and SOY head coach for soccer.

Their reason for being there this morning was simple. Along with Blaine Mason, the business manager at Mic Mac, and Serge Michaud, the executive director of SOY, they helped announce a new national volunteer recognition program.

Toyota Canada has been involved with the Special Olympics for more than 15 years, and since 1999, has been providing a national sponsorship of approximately $250,000 annually to Special Olympics Canada. That level of funding will remain consistent, but now, the auto company has switched its main focus to volunteers.

'From now on, any volunteer for Special Olympic Yukon will be proudly supported and recognized by Toyota Canada,' explained Michaud.

'It takes times, dedication and determination to help our athletes reach new heights in sport and competition,' said Mason, adding his company is proud to be involved with Special Olympics here in Whitehorse.

The new program includes new long-service award pins to volunteers, for five, 10 and 15 year-terms. Mic Mac will be presenting the first of those new award pins to local volunteers in June.

MacDonald, who has been a volunteer with the Special Olympic for 15 years, first in Alberta and now in the Yukon, was thankful for Toyota's support, both locally and nationally. He said their support enables SOY to provide its athletes with the best in programming and training.

'Special Olympics Yukon has over 80 athletes registered in both community-based and school-based programs. We have athletes training in athletics, bowling, cross-country, curling, figure skating, soccer and swimming.'

In fact, added MacDonald, many of the local athletes are now training for the February 2008 Games in Quebec City. That includes Chaplin, who has been involved with the program for more than 10 years.

'I'm very happy to be part of this launch,' said Chaplin. 'This helps Special Olympics Yukon thank its volunteers. Our coaches commit many hours to our sport programs.

'If Special Olympics Yukon did not have volunteers, Special Olympics Yukon would not be able to offer my teammates and I the opportunities to play the sports we love.

'I would like to thank the staff at Mic Mac Toyota for the many years of support they have given Special Olympics Yukon.'

There are more than 30,000 Special Olympics athletes across Canada, of all ages and abilities. More than 10,000 certified volunteer coaches are currently involved with the programs every day, in virtually every community nationwide.

Special Olympics Canada's programs are supported by corporate sponsorship, fundraising activities, government funding, individual donors and the involvement of volunteers in communities across the country.

For more information, visit www.specialolympics.ca