"Make a difference in the lives of others by getting involved." - Richard N. Liu

March to May 18 - 20 in 2000: this was when it all began for me with Special Olympics. I was both a Special Olympics International (SOI) Volunteer and the Vice-Chair of the Torch Run Committee for the Special Olympics China Millennium March (SOCMM), leading a team of volunteers to prepare for the very first Great Wall Torch Run in which Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the SOI Goodwill Ambassador, would run up a flight of ancient steps to light a cauldron signaling the start of the Special Olympic movement in China towards 2007. Meeting both Mr. Tim Shriver and Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger forever left a deep impression on me for Special Olympics.

A year later, June 2001, I met Mr. Tim Shriver again, at an event for all those involved in the SOCMM - aside from expressing appreciation, his message was to continue onwards to 2007.

In 2002, I had the privilege of attending the Special Olympics National Games in Xi'an for the spirit of the games and met Mr. Shriver for a third time. And that same year, I began taking part as a Special Christmas Benefit Committee member and have stayed on ever since!

As a Canadian, I've had a small goal of somehow getting Canada involved with the Special Olympic movement in China as much as possible, as Canada was the only other country involved at the very first games in 1968. I initially succeeded with sprinkling some Canucks in my volunteer team in 2000; introducing Canadian organizations and companies to support SO in 2001; successfully inviting Canadian Ambassador Joseph Caron and Madame Caron, on Dec 2002, as the first official foreign dignitaries to attend the 1st Special Christmas Gala in Beijing; in 2003 I was coordinating Susan St. James and Ambassador Caron's visit to Concord College of Sino-Canada for a web cast, as well as the formal dinner at the Ambassador's Official Residence with the international business community hosted by Ambassador Caron that same day; was instrumental in making Special Olympics the choice charity for the 2004 Canadian Charity Ball; as well as the charity of choice for the Canadian Alumni Network's one year anniversary celebrations during the 2004 Canadian Thanksgiving.

And most recently in 2005, with SwissCham, I was able to raise a substantial amount of funds for SO through the Foreign National Chamber event, which witnessed close to 1,000 guests and over 20 Chamers of Commerce. And this was only the tip of the iceberg.

But most importantly, I've been able to partake in the many SO Unified bowling events with the SO Athletes and Special Olympic Days, like at the Dong Cheng District Special School.

Born and raised in Canada, Richard N. Liu received his education at the University of British Columbia and Beijing University, specializing in East Asian Area Studies and Chinese language, respectively. He has resided in Beijing for over 12 years, and is married to Elyse and has 2 children, Elizabeth and Paola. You can contact Richard at richardliu@canadiansinchina.com)