Special Olympics Canada and Safeway have launched a fundraising and awareness building campaign today to support the world-class Special Olympics programs in communities across the country. Special Olympics Canada is partnering with Safeway stores in Western Canada from March 7-21, 2014, with the hope of bringing greater awareness about Special Olympics and generating
financial support for their programs.
Special Olympics enriches the lives of individuals with intellectual
disabilities daily through the transformative power and joy of sport. Safeway customers will be invited to make
a donation of $2.00 at any Safeway store and in return receive 5 AIRMILES Reward Miles. Last year,
$419,595 was raised across the country during the spring campaign which helped support Special Olympics
programs throughout Canada.
“Through their annual campaign and year-round support, Safeway has had a significant impact on the lives of
Special Olympics BC (SOBC) athletes and programs throughout the province,” said Dan Howe, SOBC
President and CEO. “The generosity of Safeway and their staff and customers provides critical support for
SOBC’s empowering programs and events for more than 4,300 athletes in 57 communities around the
province. And the awareness raised through Safeway’s campaign helps our communities become more
inclusive, supportive, and respectful places. We are so grateful to Safeway and all who contribute to the
campaign.”
Jamie Robinson has been an SOBC – Abbotsford athlete for 10 years, and she participates in everything from
rhythmic gymnastics and curling to basketball and powerlifting. Her parents Doug and Kathie are Safeway
employees, and Jamie is a Safeway alumna who enthusiastically volunteers with the Special Olympics events
at Safeway. “Special Olympics has positively impacted Jamie’s life and helped her create a huge network of
friends,” says Kathie Robinson. “It has helped her confidence. And it has opened her eyes to different sports
that we would never have introduced her to because we don’t participate in them.”
“As a company that proudly employs hundreds of people living with intellectual disabilities, we see first-hand
the benefits the Special Olympics programs have brought to their lives. Our partnership with this amazing
organization is a natural fit for us,” said Mike Nash, Vice President British Columbia, Safeway Operations,
Sobeys Inc.
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Follow the campaign on Facebook (Safeway Canada, Special Olympics British Columbia) and Twitter (@SafewayCanada,
@sobcsociety)
Special Olympics Canada
Name: Allison Love (alove@specialolympics.ca)
Phone: 416-927-9382
Special Olympics BC
Name: Megan Grittani-Livingston (megan@specialolympics.bc.ca)
Phone: 604-737-3077
Safeway
Name: Mary D’Astolfo (mary.dastolfo@safeway.com)
Phone: 604-301-2646
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BACKGROUNDER
Special Olympics Canada Teams Up with Safeway
• Special Olympics Canada has teamed up with Safeway in support of people living with intellectual
disabilities
• Campaign Dates: March 7 – 21, 2014
• Safeway customers who donate $2 during the campaign will receive 5 bonus AIR MILES Reward Miles
• 100% of all proceeds donated will continue to enrich the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability through
their involvement in Special Olympics sport programming
• Safeway currently employs 300 individuals with an intellectual disability
• Since 2008, over $1,986,187 has been donated to Special Olympics Canada through this special
partnership
• Since 2008, $15,378,551 has been raised by Safeway across Canada to support people with intellectual and
physical disabilities. Other community partners include Easter Seals Canada and Muscular Dystrophy
Canada.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANADA
“We continue to be so grateful to Safeway for their ongoing support of Special Olympics Canada and the world-class sport
programming we offer for individuals with an intellectual disability. Through this campaign, we are able to raise awareness
and funds, helping to grow and spread our movement, reaching more deserving individuals across the country,” said
Special Olympics Canada CEO, Sharon Bollenbach.
BACKGROUND:
Established in 1969, the Canadian chapter of this international movement is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians
with an intellectual disability through the transformative power and joy of sport. Operating out of sport clubs in all
Canadian provinces and territories, except Nunavut, this grassroots movement reaches beyond the sphere of sport to
empower individuals, change attitudes and build communities. From two-year-olds to mature adults, more than 36,739
athletes with an intellectual disability are registered in Special Olympics year-round programs across Canada. They are
supported by more than 17,398 volunteers, including more than 12,694 trained coaches.
For more information, visit www.specialolympics.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@SpecialOCanada).
“Helping our neighbours living with a diverse range of abilities has long been a Safeway priority,” said Chuck Mulvenna,
President of Safeway Operations, Sobeys Inc. “As a company that proudly employs hundreds of people living with
disabilities, Safeway directly benefits from the incredible work of Special Olympics Canada.”
BACKGROUND:
Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of
Canadians for 106 years. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX:EMP.A), Sobeys owns or
franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland,
FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawton’s Drug Stores as well as more than 330 retail fuel locations. Sobeys and its franchise
affiliates employ more than 124,000 people. The company’s goal is to be widely recognized as the best food retailer and
workplace environment in Canada. Sobeys Inc. operates 206 stores under the Safeway banner across Western Canada.
More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.