Although she's not competing at this month's Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games hosted in Durham Region, the Pickering resident is making a difference nonetheless as a Games ambassador.

The 33-year-old, who has Down's syndrome, has been trumpeting the Games and the fundraising Toonies for Torches program to students and schools throughout the Region.

"I love it, to meet new friends and to get the students and their parents to volunteer (at the Spring Games)," explains Jan. "It's been kind of fun."

Speaking in front of crowds is no problem at all for the outgoing Special Olympian.

"She loves the microphone. It doesn't seem to phase her one bit," says Catherine Heeney, Jan's mom, who notes her daughter is one of about six ambassadors in the region.

Her proud father, Walter, who's the site manager for 5-pin bowling at the Games, says she's spoken at six schools thus far, including audiences at St. Patrick Catholic School and Southwood Park Public School in Ajax, as well as Sinclair Secondary School in Whitby and to a meeting of the Durham Catholic District School Board. She was also a special guest at a fundraising dinner for the Durham Regional Police Torch Run at the Red Lobster restaurant in Oshawa.

"She's been trying to get schools to get behind the program," says Walter Heeney.

One of her visits as a Spring Games ambassador was to Our Lady of the Bay Catholic School in Pickering to kick off the school's Toonies for Torches Program recently. Jan once attended the school and now volunteers in the library and does tasks for primary teachers at the school. All told, she's been a volunteer there for the past 12 years.

Rosemary Leclair, Our Lady of the Bay principal, says Jan has been an invaluable asset to the school community and it's the school's way of giving back to Jan.

"She's a real doll and we wanted to support her," says Leclair, who adds over the years the school has celebrated with Jan her many accomplishments in Special Olympics competitions.

In fact, Jan has competed in Special Olympic events for more than 15 years since she attended high school. Currently, she participates in rhythmic gymnastics within Special Olympics Ontario and will attend a competition in Sudbury from June 20 to 22.

There, Jan hopes to win and move on to the next level.

"I hope to win this round and go all the way," she says.

She's also competed in track and field, swimming and bowling over the years.