Carolina Hurricanes Goalie Cam Ward Needs the Public’s Support in Fundraising Effort for Special Olympics North Carolina

Raleigh, NC, January 12, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward has teamed with Special Olympics North Carolina to create “Cam’s Champs,” a program designed to raise funds and awareness for a cause Ward believes in strongly, announced SONC President/CEO Keith L. Fishburne. Ward has agreed to donate $3 for every save he makes during the regular season and is inviting the public to join his campaign to support Special Olympics North Carolina. Ward will also host Special Olympics North Carolina athletes and their families at five regular season games.

“Cam approached us with this very generous offer and we were thrilled with this tremendous opportunity,” said Fishburne. “This program will generate much needed funds and awareness for all the Special Olympics athletes throughout North Carolina.”

Throughout the regular season, members of the community can join Cam’s Champions by visiting the Special Olympics North Carolina Web site, www.sonc.net, find the Cam Champs promotion box, get the details and donate to receive incentive items from any of the five giving levels.

The five available donation levels and their incentive items are:
Team Member: Donation of $20 - $99– Cam’s Champions static window decal
Starter: Donation of $100-$199 – window decal, color photo of Cam
3rd Star: Donation of $200 - $499 –window decal, autographed color photo of Cam
2nd Star: Donation of $500 - $999 – window decal, autographed color photo, entered into two drawings for autographed sticks
1st Star: Donation exceeds $1000 – window decal, autographed color photo, entered into drawings for autographed sticks, entered into a drawing for an autographed jersey

“My experience with Special Olympics Alberta inspired me to find a way to continue supporting this great organization in North Carolina,” Ward said. “I hope the fans will join me in this promotion for this worthy cause.”

Ward completed his first NHL season in 2005-06, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL’s playoff most valuable player for his efforts in helping the Carolina Hurricanes capture their first Stanley Cup. Ward, 22, led the league in wins (15) and ranked second in goals-against average (2.14) and shutouts (2) during the postseason. The Alberta native also set Hurricanes’ single-season franchise playoff records for wins (15), saves (537), minutes (1320) and shutouts (2). The Hurricanes’ first-round draft pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Ward enters the 2006-07 campaign as Carolina’s No. 1 netminder. Prior to turning professional, Ward played four seasons of junior hockey with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, earning the WHL’s player of the year award and the Canadian Hockey League’s goaltender of the year award following his final season with the Rebels. During his time in Red Deer, Ward was involved with Special Olympics Alberta.

Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition for more than 37,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics North Carolina is the second largest program in North America and seventh largest in the world in terms of athlete participation. These athletes inspire greatness through their success and provide motivation to the thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers Olympic-type competition in 20 sports on local and state levels.

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