Oceanside CA— Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) is honored to announce the California Chapter, American Fence Association (AFA) as a year- round partner and bocce venue sponsor in recognition of their $175,000 contribution to the Special Olympics Bocce Program.
The California Chapter, AFA has partnered with Special Olympics Southern California since 1982 when Chapter President Bob Wallace began encouraging members to get involved in community activities. The partnership started with financial and volunteer support to the annual regional games in Inland Empire. It wasn’t long before members of AFA organized and ran the first ever softball throw competition at the games. The softball throw competition was sponsored by the California Chapter, AFA from the mid-80s through 1997 when the competition was replaced with bocce. The California Chapter, AFA played an integral role in developing and implementing bocce with Special Olympics. Since its inception, the California Chapter, AFA has continued to sponsor and support the bocce program.
“Over the years, Special Olympics is something many of our members have grown to love and taken ownership of,” said Terry Slattery, chairman of the Special Olympics committee of the California Chapter, AFA. “Year-after-year, we see the accomplishments of the athletes and the joy sports and our efforts bring. It’s our honor to be included in this life changing organization.”
Since the California Chapter, AFA started supporting SOSC, the organization and their members have donated more than $350,000 in support of year-round sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities. As a year-round partner, the California Chapter, AFA joins KTLA5, The Law Enforcement Torch Run, Lionsgate, and the Albertsons Vons Foundation.
“The long time commitment and partnership the California Chapter, American Fence Association has given us has made an enormous impact on our program,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO for Special Olympics Southern California. “This gesture is yet another example of their passion and dedication to our athletes.”
The California Chapter, AFA will continue to support the bocce program as a venue sponsor at the annual Summer Games held at California State University, Long Beach in June.
About Special Olympics Southern California
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of more than 19,625 athletes with intellectual disabilities and their communities through sports, education, and athlete health. Founded in 1969 by Olympic decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson, Special Olympics Southern California provides free year-round sports training and competitions to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation develops improved physical fitness and motor skills and greater self-confidence. Special Olympics has become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. As a result, people with intellectual disabilities become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Learn how you can get involved at www.sosc.org.