15:00 | 15.06.2011
Bank of America Announces $1 Million Multi-Year Donation to Support Special Olympics
Bank of America, proud sponsor of Special Olympics for more than three
decades, today announced a three-year $1 million contribution to support
Special Olympics, a global organization that provides year-round sports
training and athletic competition for people with intellectual
disabilities.
To kick off its new partnership, Bank of America will once again sponsor
the Special Olympics Team USA delegation as they prepare for the World
Summer Games in Athens, Greece. More than 315 Special Olympics Team USA
athletes and more than 125 coaches will depart from Baltimore and travel
to Athens for the Games (June 25-July 4) to compete among more than
7,000 athletes from around the world.
In addition to supporting Special Olympics athletes on their journey to
Athens, the bank’s 2011 contribution, made through the Bank of America
Charitable Foundation, will also support the Healthy Athletes program at
the World Games. This important non-sports program is designed to
improve athletes’ health and fitness in order to enhance their ability
to train and compete in Special Olympics. Special Olympics athletes from
nearly 170 countries in all regions around the world will have the
opportunity to receive free health examinations and health-related
products, such as prescription eyewear and hearing aids, along with
advice to help them adopt good living habits and improve their own
health situation.
“Bank of America is proud to provide Special Olympics Team USA athletes
with the opportunity to demonstrate their outstanding accomplishments
while learning from competitors from across the globe,” said Anne
Finucane, Global Strategy and Marketing officer and chair of the Bank of
America Charitable Foundation. “We are honored to partner with Special
Olympics and support the athletes and coaches as they prepare for a
memorable and healthy experience at the World Summer Games in Athens.”
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has partnered with the Special
Olympics movement and its mission by sponsoring Special Olympics Team
USA and providing a unique combination of financial and volunteer
resources to create opportunities that help recognize the value and
unique gifts of people with intellectual disabilities.
Through the bank’s partnership, the foundation has provided nearly $7
million in financial support to Special Olympics to help people with
disabilities pursue their goals. In 2010 alone, employees volunteered
more than 5,000 hours to support Special Olympics and their athletes in
local communities across the United States.
“We are truly grateful to Bank of America for their support of our
upcoming World Games,” said Timothy Shriver, chairman and chief
executive officer of Special Olympics. “Their support will not only help
our Special Olympics Team USA athletes to compete in Greece, but also
provide world-class health care to this medically underserved
population.”
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives
through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with
intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering
communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a
few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170
countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports
training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special
Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with
intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the
Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small
neighborhood’s backyard. Special Olympics provide people with
intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their
potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience
joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
Engage with us on Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics;
youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.
Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it
serves, Bank of America is delivering on a 10-year goal to donate $2
billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and
vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of
America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2010,
making the bank one of the largest corporate cash donors in the United
States. As a global company doing business in more than 150 countries,
Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy under
which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing
needs of individual communities. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and
sustain a culture of service, bank associate volunteers contributed more
than one million hours in 2010 to enhance the quality of life in their
communities worldwide. For more information about Bank of America
Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.
|
