Californians tee off to raise money for Special Olympics of Northern and Southern California
SACRAMENTO
,
CA – Wal-Mart’s “Go for the Gold Classic” swept through California today as part of a drive to raise $750,000 for the Special Olympics of Northern and Southern California. Wal-Mart hosted 15 golf tournaments across the state as part of a six-month fundraising effort.
Since April, Wal-Mart associates held a variety of fundraising activities throughout the Golden State including carwashes and tamale sales with one goal in mind: support the Special Olympics of Northern and Southern California.
“Special Olympics serves an essential role in our community through its development of some truly inspiring adult and children athletes, and we are honored to be part of its success,” said Henry Jordan, Wal-Mart Regional General Manager. “I am so proud of all the hard work Wal-Mart associates have done to make this campaign a success. By providing both monetary resources and dedicated volunteers, we are enthusiastic partners in helping the Special Olympics make a difference.”
Participants across the state included over 1,800 Wal-Mart associates, sponsors, and Special Olympic athletes. Each tournament is run by volunteer Wal-Mart associates. “By taking the initiative to contribute, volunteer, and outreach, Wal-Mart has gone above and beyond our expectations to help our programs and the over 26,000 athletes we serve in California,” said Mary Beth McMahon, executive vice president of Special Olympics, Northern California/Nevada.
“These programs give our athletes opportunities to develop physical fitness and motor skills, improve their self-confidence and self-image, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community,” added McMahon. “Since Special Olympics is offered for free to all its participants, Wal-Mart is helping provide essential resources for these programs to continue to thrive.”
Tournament locations include the following:
Northern California
golf course locations:
Canyon Oaks Country Club, Chico
Turkey Creek Golf Club, Lincoln
Elkhorn Country Club, Stockton
Coyote Creek Country Club, Morgan Hill
Chardonnay Golf Club, Napa
Copper River Country Club, Fresno
Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course, Bakersfield
Southern California
golf course locations:
Arrowood Golf Course, Oceanside
California Country Club, Whittier
El Dorado Park Golf Course, Long Beach
Los Serranos Country Club, Chino Hills
Lost Canyons Golf Club, Simi Valley
PGA of Southern California, Beaumont
Sierra Lakes Golf Club, Fontana
Sycuan Resort, El Cajon
Wal-Mart was recognized by the
Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest corporate cash contributor in America in 2006 because of its support for a variety of causes, including education, the environment, health and human services, civic and community groups, and culture and the arts.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people eight years of age and older with developmental disabilities. Our programs give our athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skill, and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. There are training and competition opportunities year-round within Special Olympics and our programs are free to all eligible athletes thanks to the generous support from individuals and businesses who believe in Special Olympics athletes. For more information on the Special Olympics Northern California, please visit
www.sonc.org
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online stores at
www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit
www.walmartfacts.com,
www.walmartstores.com, or
www.walmartfoundation.org.
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