In the wake of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, held in New Jersey in June, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed to donate a $200,000 legacy grant to Special Olympics New Jersey.
These funds are set to honor the spirit of inclusion of the Games and will enable the expansion of Unified Sports programs in New Jersey schools.
Unified Sports offer people with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play together on the same team, breaking down barriers and dissolving stereotypes, and teaching all involved that sports offer a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Walmart’s director of Public Affairs and Government Relations in New Jersey Jennifer Hoehn said the company hopes the grant helps create a culture of inclusion in schools and communities across the state.
“Our Walmart and Sam’s Club associates across New Jersey, through their active participation and support, have demonstrated that Special Olympics is extremely important to our company,” Hoehn said in a statement.
Funds granted from Walmart and Walmart Foundation are set to be used toward sports equipment, facilities, transportation of athletes, and education of students and teachers alike.
Special Olympics New Jersey plans to exceed the goals set out in new legislation passed by the State of New Jersey Senate Education Committee in June that calls for school districts to make an effort to ensure that students with disabilities have opportunities to participate in athletic activities equal to those of other students through Special Olympics Unified Sports programs. This new legislation hopes to empower more than 100 school districts with such programs.
More information is online at sonj.org.
