Procter & Gamble, proud partner of Special Olympics for 31 years, announced a program that honors Special Olympics moms by supporting their sons and daughters with a gift to Special Olympics of $250,000 to support local programs and services.
P&G is also making it possible for people to make a difference in the lives of Special Olympics Team USA athletes in their journey to the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer Games 2011 in Athens, Greece by visiting P&G’s Thank You Mom Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thankyoumom. For every visitor that ‘likes,’ shares or leaves a comment on the page, P&G will donate $1 to support Special Olympics Team USA’s journey to Athens up to an additional $250,000.
More than 315 Special Olympics Team USA athletes will travel to Athens for Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011 June 25-July 4, to compete amongst more than 7,000 athletes from around the world. In the eyes of moms and caregivers of Special Olympics Team USA athletes, it’s an opportunity for their children to experience a new level of independence and inclusion.
P&G has launched the ‘What I See’ advertising campaign inspired by Special Olympics moms and the organization’s commitment to dignity, acceptance and respect for all individuals. The campaign focuses on Special Olympics Team USA athlete Molly Hincka and the faith her mom Kerry has in her. Doctors predicted Molly would never walk or talk, but Kerry saw endless possibilities of what her daughter could achieve. Molly will be proudly representing the United States at Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011, competing in several track and field events.
Mary Lou Retton, 1984 Olympic gymnastics gold medalist and Special Olympics supporter, has teamed up with P&G and Special Olympics to help spread the word about the importance of supporting Special Olympics families and motivate people across the country to get involved. Retton, a longtime Special Olympics supporter, has also created her own ‘What I See’ video tribute to her family, which can be viewed on www.facebook.com/thankyoumom.