Special Olympics Florida today announced that Procter and Gamble (P&G) is the recipient of its 2017 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award.
“P&G is a company that truly values the mission of Special Olympics Florida and seeks to make our state and world a place of inclusion and respect for people of all abilities,” said Sherry Wheelock, president and CEO of Special Olympics Florida. “Their support and engagement for almost 40 years has made a major impact in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and helped our organization to grow to serve more than 41,000 Special Olympics athletes here in Florida.”
P&G will be recognized with the award at the Special Olympics Florida Champions’ Gala. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award from Special Olympics Florida is presented to a person or company who has played a role in furthering the vision of the charity’s founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Ms. Shriver was a pioneer in the worldwide struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities.
Since 1980, P&G has raised charitable contributions exceeding $40 million nationwide for Special Olympics through their partnership with Publix Super Markets. P&G donates portions of redeemed coupons in their brandSAVER® and offers special coupons during the Special Olympics campaign at Publix Super Markets each January.
Additionally, P&G supports Special Olympics Unified Sports (where people with and without intellectual disabilities play together on the same team and playing field) through several initiatives including Play Unified sports camps with professional athletes, Special Olympics athletes (individuals with an intellectual disability), and Unified partners (individuals without an intellectual disability). P&G employees also regularly volunteer at Special Olympics Florida sporting events.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award presentation will take place at the Special Olympics Florida Champions’ Gala. The event will feature fine dining, live entertainment, celebrity guests, and more.
What: Special Olympics Florida Champions’ Gala
Where: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, 10100 Dream Tree Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 32836
When: October 14, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
To learn more and purchase individual tickets or sponsor a table, please visit http://specialolympicsflorida.org/get-involved/fundraise/champions-gala/ or contact Vanessa Maceira at (352) 243-9536.
About Special Olympics Florida:
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f3e401d-82c9-4b02-b947-ed6b9c76076a