Special Olympics 40th Anniversary honors LA Lakers for Pier del Sol on 10/4/09
Los Angeles Lakers Honored at Annual Pier del Sol
“Birthday Bash” Celebrates Special Olympics Southern California’s 40th Anniversary
Santa Monica, Calif., Sept. 23, 2009 – The Los Angeles Lakers will be honored at Special Olympics Southern California’s 40th “Birthday Bash” on Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pacific Park on the historic Santa Monica Pier. Lakers legends Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy will represent the Lakers, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Honorary Chair and California’s First Lady, Maria Shriver, will also attend. Shriver and Special Olympics Board Member, Anita Green, founded the event, which has raised $4.5 million since its inception in 1997.
We are thrilled to be honored by an organization as important and meaningful as Special Olympics. On behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers, I want to congratulate Special Olympics and all its athletes on 40 wonderful years in the Southern California community. We look forward to working together with Special Olympics and continuing its mission for years to come,” said Lakers General Manager, Mitch Kupchak.
Festivities also include an appearance by the Laker Girls and an exclusive opportunity to take a photo with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Championship trophy. A birthday “cake off” competition among top bakeries has also been added to the VIP brunch, which features 35 of LA’s top restaurants. A family event, participants will enjoy unlimited rides, game booths, silent auction and entertainment.
Los Angeles restaurants participating in the brunch include Angelini Osteria/La Terza, Clementine, The Grill/Daily Grill, Tanino Ristorante Bar, Sunset Restaurant and Beach Bar, Pinks, Dandy Don’s Homemade Ice Cream and others.
This celebration commemorates 40 years for SOSC, which was founded by Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist, Rafer Johnson. The 1st Annual Western Regional Special Olympics held on July 26, 1969, with athletes from Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.
“What started 40 years ago with 900 athletes, three track and field events and two swimming events was the stepping stone for our organization, which has grown to 13,000 athletes,” said Bill Shumard, SOSC President and CEO. “I’m proud that Special Olympics can be credited with not only introducing sports to people with intellectual disabilities but for creating more accepting and inclusive communities.”
General admission tickets are $45 and include unlimited rides, eight game booth tickets, and a meal coupon for Pacific Park’s Food Plaza. VIP tickets include unlimited rides and 12 game booth tickets and a special VIP Brunch for $150 per ticket for adults and children over age 5 and $500 for a package of 5 tickets. Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (213) 480-3232. For further information, contact Special Olympics Southern California at www.sosc.org/pierdelsol or 562.354.2605.
This event is presented by Westfield Corporation, the Walt Disney Company, Los Angeles Lakers and JAKKS Pacific.
Contact
Kim Pine, Special Olympics Southern California
562.354.2611 or cell 562.221.378
About the Los Angeles Lakers Organization
With 2,970 victories and a .617 winning percentage, the Lakers hold the best franchise record in NBA history. Additionally, with their victory over Orlando in the 2009 NBA Finals, the Lakers have now won 15 NBA Championships in all, while appearing in a staggering 30 NBA Finals. In 1979, Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team from Jack Kent Cooke, and under his guidance, the Lakers have recorded the NBA’s highest overall winning percentage (1606-822, .661).