One Thousand Volunteers Needed for 2007 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games

Raleigh, NC, March 31, 2007 --(PR.com)-- More than 1,000 volunteers are needed for the 2007 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games on June 1-3. The event, to take place in Raleigh for the 13th consecutive year, will host more than 1,300 athletes from 89 programs throughout North Carolina, according to SONC President/CEO Keith L. Fishburne.

Volunteers are needed to fill positions such as announcer, field of play assistant, family services, access control and volunteer check-in. Groups can also sign up to be on a cheer team. Groups such as businesses, churches or youth groups are encouraged to form teams and be fans in the stands at the tournament, cheering the athletes to victory. All volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and position-specific training. Interested individuals should call the SONC Volunteer Hotline at 800-843-6276, option 4 or visit www.sonc.net to register.

“We are so appreciative of the Raleigh community for their continued support of our state’s Special Olympics athletes,” said Fishburne. “Traveling to the capital city to compete is a highlight for them all.” Fishburne noted the event annually makes an estimated economic impact of roughly $600,000 on the Raleigh area.

The Summer Games will feature competition for more than 1,300 athletes from across the state in athletics (track & field), aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball and volleyball. Competition venues are: Ravenscroft School; Pullen Aquatics Center; North Raleigh Gymnastics; Buffaloe Road Park and Lions Park.

The Summer Games will officially kick off with the Opening Ceremonies to take place at J.S. Dorton Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 2. The Ceremonies will feature a parade of athletes, presentation of the flame of hope and lighting of the cauldron, which will be the culmination of a statewide torch relay as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for SONC.

The SONC Summer Games are sponsored by Sheetz, WRAL-TV, FOX 50, Y102.9 FM. SONC statewide partners are: North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics (International, National and Statewide); Duke Fuqua School of Business (Championship); Knights of Columbus, US LEC, ABB, Civitan International and Progress Energy (Gold); American Airlines/American Eagle, Wachovia, CVS pharmacy/Charitable Trust, Best Buy, Henry Wurst Inc., Larry McReynolds Celebrity Golf Tournament and Fortune Interactive (Silver); Sheetz, Kerr Cares for Kids, Procter & Gamble, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel, A Small Miracle Inc., State Employees Combined Campaign, North Carolina National Guard (Bronze); Tannenbaum Sternberger Foundation, Moore & Van Allen, Helms Mulliss Wicker and Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (Honorary Delegation).

Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition for more than 38,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 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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