“It’s been a ROARING 20 years!” at Special Olympics Southern California’s Annual Pier Del Sol Fundraiser

Westfield and Chef Josiah Citrin will be Honored on the Historic Santa Monica Pier

at a 20’s Decade Celebration Featuring Food, Rides, and Fun

Santa Monica, Calif. (June 1, 2016) — Special Olympics Southern California invites you to its annual Pier del Sol fundraiser on Sunday, October 9 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park.

Pier del Sol, presented by Westfield Inc., features rides, games, music, arts and crafts, cupcakes decorating, and much more. Guests can enjoy an outdoor brunch from over 37 of L.A.’s best restaurants and chefs, including Josiah Citrin with Melisse, Michael Cimarusti with Providence, and Brooker Williamson with Playa ProvisionsThe Tripel.

VIP tickets are $175 each, or $650, for five and include access to the VIP Brunch, unlimited rides, and 12 game tickets. Child VIP tickets are $60 (ages 5 – 12 and are only available at the door).  General admission tickets are $60 and include unlimited rides and games and a meal coupon for Pacific Park’s food plaza.

“Pier del Sol is a family, fun day for the community, our Special Olympics athletes, and supporters of our movement,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “This year’s theme, It’s been a ROARING 20 years, invites the public to swing by and join us in celebrating acceptance and inclusion for all. Attendees will enjoy a day of games, rides and amazing food at the historic Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park.”

At the event, Special Olympics will honor Westfield, a partner of Pier Del Sol since the event’s inception 20 years ago. Westfield and their employees have been involved with the fundraiser through day-of volunteerism, employees serving on the event’s planning committee and cash donations to Special Olympics.

The 2016 Honorary Chef is Chef Josiah Citrin, of Mélisse and Charcoal Venice. This will be the 17th year that Citrin has supported Pier del Sol, and we are delighted to honor and celebrate his support and friendship of our event and movement.

“I’ve been involved with the Pier del Sol event for sixteen seventeen years now, and I’m very honored,” said Citrin. “The opportunity Pier del Sol offers for the community is great, and the cause is very special.”

Handfuls of celebrities and sports figures will visit the pier for the fundraiser, with Maria Shriver and Bobby Shriver as honorary chairs. Since 1997, Pier del Sol has raised nearly $8 million, benefiting and changing the lives of more than 26,000 Special Olympics Southern California athletes.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sosc.org/pierdelsol.

 

About Special Olympics Southern California

Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of more than 26,006 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. Special Olympics Southern California has earned a 4-star ranking from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards. This ranking is the highest Charity Navigator offers to an organization and is given because Special Olympics has demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency. Learn how you can get involved at www.sosc.org.