Special Olympics Maine Awarded $50,000 Grant from Wal-Mart Foundation for Area Program Development

SOUTH PORTLAND Maine – The Wal-Mart Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to Special Olympics Maine to help strengthen the organization’s statewide programs.

“Special Olympics Maine is pleased to announce that Wal-Mart has joined us in supporting our athletes as a corporate sponsor,” said Phil Geelhoed, President & CEO of Special Olympics Maine. “This extremely generous $50,000 grant will enable us to strengthen our state program by enhancing our 13 area programs across Maine. The end result will be an even better, more consistent experience for our athletes.
Special Olympics Maine, headquartered in South Portland with volunteer area programs located throughout Maine, provides year-round sports training and competition at local, area and state levels for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Wal-Mart Foundation grant will be used to provide new and updated sports equipment and support at the many competitive and special events offered throughout Maine each year.

“Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club are proud to provide this grant to Special Olympics Maine to help further develop and strengthen its 13 area programs around the state,” said Philip Serghini, Senior Manager for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Special Olympics Maine (www.specialolympicsmaine.org) provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. Through their participation in Special Olympics Maine, athletes gain confidence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom, the home, the workplace and the community.

Special Olympics Maine currently serves more than 3,000 athletes, with the support of thousands of volunteers.

Special Olympics Maine is a privately funded not-for-profit 501(c)3 agency that raises its operating budget primarily through the support and generosity of individuals, local businesses, civic groups, corporations and foundations.

The grant was made possible through the Wal-Mart Foundation’s State Giving Program. Through this program, the Wal-Mart Foundation awards grants at the state and regional levels to support unmet needs in areas of focus such as: Education, Job Skills Training, Environmental Sustainability and Health. For more information, please visit: www.walmartstores.com.
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The Wal-Mart Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Special Olympics Maine at a ceremony recently at the Wal-Mart in Auburn. From left, Sarah Shink, Wal-Mart, Assistant Store Manager; Steve Ray, Chairman, Board of Directors for Special Olympics Maine; Phil Geelhoed, President and CEO; Special Olympics Maine; and Dana Brann, Wal-Mart, Store Manager.