After more than two decades of dedication to Special Olympians all over the province, an Abbotsford coach and volunteer has now received the highest honour from Special Olympics BC as the newest member of the group's hall of fame.
Donna Bilous had quite an exciting ending to the recent 2025 BC Summer Games in Prince George, with the final day introducing her as a member of the new class of Special Olympics BC Hall of Fame inductees.
This honour was the result of more than 20 years of involvement with the Special Olympics program, during which Bilous has held a variety of positions ranging from coach to the board of directors.
During this time, she's helped athletes across a variety of sports find their way onto the podium at provincial, national, and international competitions.
Most recently, she coached Canada's speed skating team to 11 medals at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy.
Bilous was also a part of this month's BC Summer Games as a member of the mission staff, where she helped provide general support to the coaches and athletes, one of whom was her daughter Paige Norton, who won a gold medal in the female powerlifting 52kg weight class division.
While not involved with the organization for the recognition, Bilous said it felt incredible to be honoured in such a way.
"When you look at those whom I share this honour with, I am humbled for this recognition," Bilous said.
"Though SOBC has recognized me for my contributions to this amazing organization, I have been given so many opportunities to grow as a coach, a person, and as a parent of an accomplished athlete."
Special Olympics BC explained that Bilous is an integral part of the organization and has made a lasting difference in the lives of both the athletes and fellow volunteers.
"Bilous frequently and generously gives her time and expertise to strengthen sport development throughout the Special Olympics movement, regularly serving on provincial and national working groups to help ensure high-quality sport and extensive opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities," Special Olympics BC stated.
Her background as a longtime nurse has also positioned her to be a "vital voice in B.C. to champion health equity for people with intellectual disabilities," the organization said.
This isn't the first time that Bilous has been honoured by Special Olympics BC, with the Abbotsford resident also receiving the Howard Carter Award for coaching excellence in 2011 and 2017.
She was also inducted into the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, making her the first member to receive this status for work with the Special Olympics program.
But it's not the accolades that keep her going, it's the passion and dedication from all of her fellow coaches and volunteers as well as the thousands of Special Olympics BC athletes.
"My goal is always to raise the profile of Special Olympics and the work they do, and focus on the abilities of our amazing athletes," Bilous said.
Joining Bilous as a new inductee into the Special Olympics BC Hall of Fame is Cranbrook's Erin Thom, who has been competing at various Special Olympics events for the past 35 years.
