SANTA ANA, Calif., July 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The 2004 John R. Wooden Classic weekend events, held each year in December in Orange County, will now help support programs for Orange County's foster children. The Wooden Classic weekend includes a charity golf tournament on Thursday, a benefit dinner on Friday evening and culminates with the NCAA basketball doubleheader on Sunday at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. Orangewood Children's Foundation is joining with Special Olympics Southern California to share the proceeds from the golf tournament and benefit dinner.
The addition of Orangewood Children's Foundation was initiated by Tim Ryan, President and CEO of Anaheim Arena Management, LLC and the Arrowhead Pond, who sits on the boards of both charities. Orangewood's partnership with Special Olympics comes on the heels of California First Lady Maria Shriver's guest appearance at an Orangewood fundraising luncheon last month. Shriver's mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded Special Olympics in 1968.
The Wooden Classic Golf Tournament will be on Thursday, December 2, 2004, at the award-winning Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast. Pelican Hill is nestled atop the spectacular cliffs of Newport Beach, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. The tournament includes great tee prizes, an awards reception, an opportunity drawing and a live auction.
The Wooden Classic Benefit Dinner will be held on the following evening, Friday, December 3, 2004, at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel. The Benefit Dinner provides an enjoyable evening of entertainment and dining, honoring the four participating NCAA head coaches and Coach Wooden. It includes entertainment and both a live and silent auction.
Prices start at $750 for the golf tournament and $100 for the dinner. Sponsorship opportunities for both events are available.
The 2004 John R. Wooden Classic basketball doubleheader on Sunday, December 5, 2004, will feature the UCLA Bruins, Arizona Wildcats and two more exciting NCAA teams.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.woodenclassic.com.
ABOUT ORANGEWOOD CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
Orangewood Children's Foundation, founded in 1981, is a private, nonprofit organization that provides an innovative array of programs and services for children in foster care, youth who have emancipated or "aged out" of the dependency system and children at the Orangewood Children's Home, the county's emergency shelter for abused and neglected children. In addition, the Foundation offers special programs designed to strengthen at-risk families and break the generational cycle of abuse. For more details, visit www.orangewoodfoundation.org.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The mission of Special Olympics Southern California is to provide sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. By instilling lifelong habits of physical fitness and influencing the athletes' willingness to accept new challenges, SOSC helps athletes Inspire Greatness in everything they do. Athletes are encouraged to build on their successes and gain the courage to try new things in all areas of their lives. For more details, visit www.sosc.org.