P&G & CVS/pharmacy Support Special Olympics Programs Nationwide With $150,000 Grant

Procter & Gamble's Live, Learn, and Thrive in partnership with CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark All Kids Can support nine Special Olympics Programs in support of "Young Athletes"

ATLANTA, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Procter & Gamble (P&G) has awarded $10,000 to Special Olympics Georgia as part of a larger grant ($150,000), divided among nine Special Olympics programs in the United States with growing Young Athletes initiatives. The funding is from P&G's Live, Learn and Thrive grant program. P&G has been a supporter of Special Olympics for over 30 years.  

In early 2007, Special Olympics piloted their Young Athletes program to reach children with intellectual disabilities ages 2- 7, welcoming them and their families into the Special Olympics Movement. The number of these children who train according to Special Olympics' rules more than doubled in 2009 (to nearly 57,000 individuals), following a 50 percent increase in the previous year as well. The program focuses on the basics that are crucial to cognitive development: physical activities that develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination as well as the application of these skills through sports skills programs. It is through the Young Athletes program that volunteers introduce young children to the world of sport, ultimately preparing them for Special Olympics training and competition.

"Special Olympics Georgia will dedicate this grant money to enhancing our Young Athletes program by reaching out to children age 2-7 through our existing partners (school systems, Parks and Recreation departments, YMCA's, etc.) and developing new partners over the next nine months," said Georgia Milton-Sheats, CEO, Special Olympics Georgia. "Only through the tremendous generosity of our partners such as P&G and CVS Caremark, can Special Olympic Georgia reach new audiences, touch the lives of younger athletes with intellectual disabilities and become a force of change in local communities around our state."

"Special Olympics has been an important partner to P&G for years – as has CVS/pharmacy. Our companies are both committed to helping children thrive and reach their full opportunity," said Dennis Curran, P&G Director for CVS/pharmacy. "We are delighted to make this donation to the Special Olympics Young Athletes program on behalf of CVS as we know we are helping kids and families achieve their dreams."  

"Some of our favorite initiatives through our All Kids Can program create fun, athletic opportunities for children of all abilities," said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate communications and community relations. "We are thrilled to partner with P&G to provide much-needed support to Special Olympics – an organization that provides invaluable programs and services for children and families in the communities we serve."

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Special Olympics Georgia, founded in 1970, held it first competition in track and field with 500 athletes has grown to 23,620 athletes participating in 24 sports in 2011. SOGA is now one of the largest programs in the nation. Special Olympics provides 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.specialolympicsga.org.

About Procter & Gamble
Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Always®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. In these countries and beyond, P&G is committed to improving lives for children in need through its global cause, Live, Learn and Thrive.  Every day P&G Live, Learn and Thrive® is helping children get off to a healthy start, receive access to education, and build skills for life.  Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G, its brands, and Live, Learn and Thrive.

SOURCE Special Olympics Georgia