Press release from Buncombe County Special Olympics:
Buncombe County Special Olympics is a volunteer-driven, donation-funded program designed to create sporting opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The program’s efforts focus on inclusionary programming that builds connections between Special Olympics athletes and the community at large.
In an attempt to move away from labor intensive fundraising campaigns that often pull volunteers from other critical program needs such as coaching and transporting athletes, Buncombe County Special Olympics is unveiling a “Coffee for Champions” program. The intent of the program is to partner with coffee shops throughout Asheville and Buncombe County to help communicate awareness of the program and to raise funds through a more crowd-sourced approach. Buncombe County Special Olympics has virtually no administrative cost burden, so money raised during this campaign will be directly to programming for athletes. Interested coffee shops and establishments are encouraged to contact the organizers.
Organizers are asking that each participating coffee shop donate one penny from each cup of coffee sold throughout the month of August to the program. Buncombe County Special Olympics Local Coordinator, Josh O’Conner says of the effort, “We are excited about the potential for making new connections for our program. We view this fundraiser as an opportunity to bring awareness to our athletes and their accomplishments. Just like any sports team, we want the support of our hometown.”
Buncombe County Special Olympics is looking to recruit as many coffee shops and businesses that sell coffee as possible to participate in the month long campaign which will generate a new base of community support and highlight the power of small-scale collective support.
Participating businesses will be featured on the programs website (buncombecountyspecialolympics.org) along with a map that helps coffee connoisseurs locate those establishments. The program will also use its social media channels to help promote the participating business throughout the month.
Businesses interested in participating in the event can contact Buncombe County Special Olympics via e-mail special.olympics@buncombecounty.org, or call 828.250.4265.
Buncombe County Special Olympics is a year-round athletics program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For information on the Spring Games or for general information on the program visit http://www.buncombecountyspecialolympics.org, e-mail special.olympics@buncombecounty.org, or call 828.250.4265.
Information can also be found at https://www.facebook.com/buncombecountyspecialolympics/.
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