( – Louie Sheetz, executive vice president of marketing for Sheetz, Inc., a family owned and operated chain of convenience stores, was named the honorary chair of the 2004 Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Summer Games, set for June 3-6, at Penn State University in State College.
Sheetz was named because of their commitment and generosity to SOPA through the years. Over $1.5 million in donations have been received by Special Olympics with over $1.1 million staying in Pennsylvania to help fund its programs and services for Special Olympics athletes in the state. Sheetz has helped to run several fundraisers for Special Olympics and has donated more than 54,000 M.T.O. sandwiches for Special Olympics events.
“I am grateful to Special Olympics and the State College community for giving me this opportunity. This is a first class event. The athletes give it everything they have and they inspire each other to do their best.” said Louie Sheetz.
This event and will bring together over 2,000 athletes and 700 coaches from across the state for three days of intense competition in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis.
Preliminary Summer Games competition will begin on Thursday, June 3 in athletics, basketball, golf, softball and aquatics. Thursday will conclude with the traditional fanfare of Opening Ceremonies at Penn State\’s Jeffrey Field, beginning at 7:15 p.m. On Friday, June 6, competition will begin in bowling, equestrian, gymnastics and tennis, with Saturday also featuring competition at most venues. Closing Ceremonies and a Victory Dance for the athletes at the University\’s Rec Hall will round out three days of vigorous competition on Saturday evening.
More than 2,000 volunteers from the State College community are needed to serve as officials, timers, athlete escorts, award presenters and to provide administrative support services.
New volunteers and spectators are always welcome. There is never any cost for volunteers or spectators to participate at Special Olympics. For more information about volunteering, please call the Special Olympics State College office at (800) 865-3600.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round training and competition in 23 Olympic-type sports to more than 26,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information about how SOPA inspires greatness, visit our Web site at www.specialolympicspa.org. For more information about Summer Games, visit www.sopasummergames.org.
