Mr. Gardiner was struck with polio at the age of 19 and told he would never walk again.  All he needed to hear was the word "never", and the challenge began.  Don not only walked again, but he was very instrumental in the career of many young hockey and baseball players.  

Don and Mabel filled many roles such as coach, manager, scorekeeper, fundraiser, trainer, driver and goal judge, chief cook and bottle washer, along with being parents to two children of their own, there were many other sports accomplishments.

Mabel Gardiner with Children Mike and Sherry

Baseball

1975 - 1978 - PeeWee OBA finalists
1980 - Bantam Chatham Tournament Champs
1983 - Tyke AA Western County Champs
1984 - Mabel Gardiner won S.M.A.A. James Chaytor Award Volunteer of the Year 
1984 - Tyke Newmarket Tournament Champs
1985 - 1987 PeeWee OBA AA Champs
1987 - Don was named OBA Coach of the Year
1988 - London District A playoff Champs
1988 - 1989 Bantam OBA AAA Champs, Started ball school in 1981 which ran until 1997
1993 - Helped found the Courtright Seahawks
1995 - Helped found the Feeder team Flacons Seahawks represented Michigan in 
Continental World Series in Russiaville Indiana.  Mable was treasurer of the Seahawks
Son Mike Gardiner Major League Baseball Pitcher

Hockey

Minor Hockey for years
Don was GM of Mooretown Flags
Don was goal judge for both Sarnia Sting and Sarnia Blast

Don and Mabel certainly rank as two of the most dedicated/team orientated people in local
sports history.  Nothing else mattered but the team.