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9 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,January 24,2019 theifp.ca Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were two days away from receiving their star on Canada's Walk of Fame, an honour previ- ously bestowed on just three figure skat- ers. But when preparations for the event conflicted with the Special Olympics gala, the Olympic gold medallists made it known where their priorities lay. It would be the event celebrating athletes who com- peted on a smaller stage than Virtue and Moir, but were every bit as committed to their sport. That kind of dedication isn't surprising, says Mark Milliere, who describes the Spe- cial Olympics as "sticky." "Once you're in, you can't help but get involved," he says. That may explain why 30 years after he first volunteered with the organization, the Georgetown native is still devoting his time to the Special Olympics. In his most recent position, Milliere has helped make a significant impact on the athletes and their ability to compete. Since 2014, he has served as the chair or co-chair of the annual Special Olympics gala, Limitless. In that time, he has helped increase the amount raised by 400 per cent. For his contribution, Milliere was named the Frank Selke Jr. fundraising vol- unteer of the year by Special Olympics Canada. "We got a really good group together and restructured the year I joined the event team. We used our influence to help support it and we created an event that has grown beyond our wildest dreams," said Milliere, the senior vice-president and general manager at TSN. "It's the single biggest fundraiser for all the athlete's pro- grams, so we're motivated to hit a home run." The annual gala, held at the end of No- vember in Toronto, brought together 1,200 corporate and community leaders, a who's who of the sporting world (including Vir- tue and Moir, Patrick Chan, Brendan Sha- nahan, Brian Burke, Damian Warner, Ca- triona Le May Doan, Adam van Koever- den, Diana Matheson and Michael "Pin- ball" Clemons) and Special Olympics athletes. They not only celebrated the achievements of the 45,000 Canadians who participate in Special Olympics programs, but also raised a record $2.1 million. Milliere got involved with Special Olympics through TSN. He said the net- work has had a relationship with the Spe- cial Olympics since soon after it was launched in 1984. "Once I got in the position of being an executive and was able to have say in things' direction, I dove in," he said. "You meet so many incredible individuals, great coaches, fantastic parents. It's an absolute feel good thing." NEWS GEORGETOWN NATIVE HONOURED BY SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANADA HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com Georgetown native Mark Milliere won the Frank J. Selke Jr. Award as the Special Olympics Canada's Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year. Since 2014, Milliere has chaired or co-chaired the organization's LIMITLESS gala, it's single-biggest fundraiser. In that time he has helped increase fundraising from the event by more than 400 per cent. TSN photo millersscottishbakery.com 905 877-0596330 Guelph Street Georgetown Miller's Scottish Bakery Pre-Order your Haggis, Fresh Buns & Bread! Fri. Jan. 25th Celebrate Robbie Burns Day! Great selection of British sweets, treats, cheeses, gifts and more. Canada BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF HEARING AID BOGO SALE 2.5cm Did you know we are now in your neighbourhood? HearingLife has just opened a clinic in Acton! Our goal is to provide expert hearing healthcare to all Canadians. 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