On September 20, 2025, our team proudly returned to Kelowna’s City Park to participate in the motionball Marathon of Sport in support of Special Olympics Canada and Special Olympics BC. What began as another exciting year of fundraising quickly became one of the most meaningful and memorable campaigns our team has ever experienced.

The Marathon of Sport once again brought together Special Olympics athletes, community members, local businesses, volunteers, and supporters for a day of inclusive sports, teamwork, and friendship. Throughout the day, athletes and participants competed side-by-side in a variety of activities while building new friendships and celebrating the power of inclusion. As always, the event reinforced one of motionball’s most important messages: when we create opportunities for people of all abilities to participate together, everyone wins.

We are incredibly proud to announce that our team raised an astounding $30,359 for Special Olympics programs. This was our most successful fundraising campaign to date and nearly tripled our previous fundraising record. The achievement was made possible through the generosity of our staff, clients, vendor partners, friends, family members, and supporters throughout the community.

The campaign also resulted in several remarkable personal achievements. Greg Bickert, President and Managing Broker of Inspire Property Management, was recognized as Kelowna’s top individual fundraiser and finished as the third-highest fundraiser nationally among all motionball Marathon of Sport participants across Canada. Greg was also honoured with the prestigious Cassie’s Captain Award, presented annually to a team captain who exemplifies outstanding leadership, commitment, and dedication to the mission of Special Olympics through motionball.

While the results were extraordinary, the journey to achieve them was far from easy. During what would normally have been the busiest period of the campaign, Greg’s family experienced the unexpected loss of his father, Pat. Pat was one of the strongest supporters of Greg’s fundraising efforts, a devoted advocate for inclusion, and a lifelong friend and supporter of Greg’s sister Sarah.

Like many people facing such a significant loss, it would have been understandable to step back from the campaign. Instead, a realization emerged that helped strengthen the team’s resolve. While Sarah had a large and loving family ready to support her through the loss of one of her greatest champions, many Special Olympics athletes rely on the opportunities, friendships, and community connections made possible through donor-supported programs. The need for those programs had not changed. If anything, the importance of supporting them had become even more apparent.

Inspired by that perspective and encouraged by an outpouring of support from donors, Greg and the entire team pushed forward. The result was not only a personal fundraising record but also one of the most successful campaigns in Kelowna’s motionball history.

Beyond the dollars raised, one of the most rewarding outcomes was seeing how the campaign inspired others. Greg’s fundraising efforts and community outreach helped spark conversations within the Rotary Club of Squamish, ultimately leading to support for bringing a Marathon of Sport event to their own community. The possibility of expanding motionball’s impact to additional communities is exactly the kind of ripple effect that makes these campaigns so meaningful.

Our success was truly a team effort. Our team included staff from Inspire Property Management, Stutters Restoration, ABK Restoration Services, TELUS Communications, BFL Canada Insurance Services, and Normac Appraisals. Interest in participating was so strong that we ultimately had more volunteers than available team spaces.

We were also fortunate to receive generous support from many outstanding organizations and individuals, including Acera Insurance, Doak Shirreff Lawyers, Clark Wilson LLP, Kimco, Fire-Pro Fire Protection, Good Sorts Property Services, Woola, Cardinal Projects, Relentless Fire & Safety, and many others.

Particularly meaningful was the support received from across the property management industry. Several organizations that might traditionally be viewed as competitors—including Stratawest Management, Wynford Group, Associated Property Management, and Pacific Quorum—chose to support the campaign. In several cases, donations came both from the companies themselves and from individual staff members who contributed after learning about their employer’s involvement. Their generosity served as a powerful reminder that creating inclusive communities is a goal that transcends business competition.

Throughout the campaign and event, participants continued to embrace motionball’s commitment to inclusion by promoting the #NoGoodWay campaign and encouraging others to eliminate the R-Word from everyday conversation. These conversations help create more welcoming and respectful communities and are an important part of motionball’s mission.

Most importantly, every dollar raised helps ensure that individuals with diversabilities can access life-changing Special Olympics programs. Here in Kelowna, local fundraising efforts help remove financial barriers to participation, allowing athletes to access programs without membership fees. The result is one of the highest rates of Special Olympics participation per capita in Canada and countless opportunities for athletes to experience friendship, confidence, achievement, and belonging.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, participated, shared our campaign, or encouraged others to get involved: thank you. Your support helped create opportunities that will have a lasting impact on athletes and families throughout our community.

As we look ahead to the 2026 motionball Marathon of Sport, we remain inspired by what can be achieved when a community comes together in support of inclusion. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to make a difference, one athlete, one friendship, and one opportunity at a time.