12 Dec Be a “Host Town” Meeting for Special Olympics World Games 2015
Sherman Oaks, CA – Local Chambers of Commerce, neighborhood councils, university representatives and businesses came together at The Valley Economic Alliance on May 29, to meet with Patrick McClenahan, President & CEO of the Special Olympics World Games 2015 and learn how they can participate in the host town program. McClenahan shared that in a city full of movie stars and all-stars, the Special Olympics athletes will be the stars of this show. Los Angeles will provide the global stage to create the awareness that leads to acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
The Host Town Program is 3-day program for cities, civic groups and clubs that takes place prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games 2015. At their Host Towns, athletic delegations from around the world will be welcomed and celebrated from July 21 to July 24. The Host Town will be responsible for the costs of hosting their delegations, which includes expenses such as housing, training facilities, food, transportation, activities and security. The opening ceremony will take place on July 25 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. “Cal State University, Northridge (CSUN) is thrilled about the opportunity to engage the campus community with the Special Olympics World Summer Games. We look forward to working collaboratively with the San Fernando Valley community to provide a welcoming experience for the international delegations, “said Francesca M. Vega, Director of Government & Community Relations, CSUN.
Next year, the Special Olympics World Games will feature 7000 athletes, 3000 coaches from 177 countries, competitions in 25 sports, and athletic villages at USC and UCLA. They will also feature and shed light on the Valley at the football portion of the Olympics at the Sepulveda Sports Complex in Encino.
Esther Walker from Studio City Chamber of Commerce, Bridget Karl from Calabasas Chamber of Commerce and Francesca M. Vega from California State University, Northridge also spoke on how they have partnered with the Special Olympics and how being a host town has been an extraordinary and memorable opportunity for them, their community and especially for the athletes.
For more information, please visit www.LA2015.org or contact Joann Klonowski at joann.klonowski@la2015.org.