Special Olympics Georgia receives $80,000 Grant from the UPS Foundation

ATLANTA, June 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Special Olympics Georgia received a $80,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE: UPS). The grant will be used to support the year-round program of training and competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout Georgia. Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) offers five State Games each year and over 500 local (county) meets, tournaments and competitions and offer opportunities for thousands of volunteers. This grant from UPS will enable SOGA to continue to offer programming to almost 24,470 athletes at no cost to the individual or their family!

Georgia Milton-Sheats , Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Georgia, said, "Special Olympics Georgia is excited to receive such a generous grant from The UPS Foundation. We count on the volunteers from UPS every year and they never let us down and are ever present at the State Games assisting the athletes and cheering them on during their competitions! We are thankful to have a strong working partnership with UPS and place a high value on our partnership with all employees at UPS. Thanks UPS for your on-going support of the 24,470 children and adults involved in Special Olympics Georgia."

Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, GA, The UPS Foundation identified specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: non-profit effectiveness, encouraging diversity, community safety and environmental sustainability.

In 2011, The UPS Foundation distributed $45.3 million worldwide through grants that benefit organizations or programs such as Special Olympics Georgia and provide support for building stronger communities.

"The UPS Foundation is honored to support Special Olympics Georgia's efforts to provide sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community," said Eduardo Martinez , President of The UPS Foundation. "Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community."

SOURCE Special Olympics Georgia