Brantford, Ontario – While Canada cheers on Olympic athletes in Beijing, China at the Winter Games, one Olympian is back at home and cheering for Lansdowne Children’s Centre.
Canadian softball team member and Olympic medalist Erika Polidori has joined the Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation as an official ambassador in supporting fundraising efforts for the local children’s treatment center that serves children and youth with special needs.
“I am thrilled and honoured to become a part of the Lansdowne community as an ambassador. I can’t wait to get involved and bring awareness to their incredible recreation programs and I’m so excited to support the kids,” shared Erika.
Erika Polidori grew up in Brantford and played for the Brantford Bobcats fastpitch softball team. At the age of 6 she would practice her swing in the backyard, crushing whiffle balls over the highway barrier. In international competition she has earned two bronze medals in Women’s World Championship competition, gold medal and silver medals in the Pan American Games, and a bronze medal at the Olympic games in Tokyo 2020.
Erika’s passion for sport is matched only by her desire to help others. An honours student at Oakland University in Michigan, Erika graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has cross-trained in many different hospital units and has been on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. When contacted by Lansdowne Foundation about the ambassador role she embraced the chance to pair her passions and become a voice promoting equal opportunity for all kids to have access to recreation and play sports.
The Lansdowne Foundation annually raises funds for programs that go un-funded by the government. Services like the award winning Every Kid Counts (EKC) inclusive support program provides opportunities for children and youth with special needs to participate in community recreation programs and camps where they can explore their interests, develop their skills, and socialize with other kids. It is with the assistance of Lansdowne recreation services that local children and youth with special needs are afforded the opportunity to play sports and participate in community activities, such as the annual Brantford Rotary Classic Run.
Angee Turnbull, Executive Director of the Lansdowne Foundation shared,
“We are so excited for the opportunity to work with Erika. She is a beautiful person. Strong. Compassionate. And she genuinely appreciates the journey our kids are on and the importance of play. Her on-field strength and heroism is equaled, if not surpassed, by her devoted efforts off the field.”
The Lansdowne Foundation has two flagship events on the 2022 calendar, with more activities to be announced later this year. The 18th annual Charity Motorcycle Ride will be held Saturday July 9th, offering a police-escorted tour of Brant County; and the 4th annual Heroes Walk and Roll fundraising festival will kick-off Saturday October 1st at Brant Park, offering families an opportunity for super-hero themed play and community networking.
Photo Credit: Michael P. Hall, photographer
For more information on Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation please visit lansdownefoundation.ca
Angee Turnbull
Executive Director
Email: aturnbull@lansdownecc.com
Phone: 519-753-3153 Ext. 221
Candace Kingyens
Senior Development Officer and Event Organizer
Email: ckingyens@lansdownecc.com
Phone: 519-753-3153 Ext. 245