Happy New Year to everyone!  We begin 2011 with some exciting news for Special Olympics North America. 

One of Special Olympics longtime corporate partners of more than 30 years, Procter & Gamble, has brought us an incredible opportunity to be the official charitable partner of this year’s People’s Choice Awards.  The People’s Choice Awards airs LIVE on national television, this Wednesday night, Jan. 5, on CBS at 9:00 PM EST / 8:00 PM Central. 

This show will be seen by millions of viewers across the country and we need your help to ask people to tune-in and watch as there will be an in-show moment dedicated to Special Olympics encouraging viewers to donate and support Special Olympics Team USA as they prepare to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2011 in Athens, Greece. 

For the first-time ever we will have a text-to-give mobile code that will be shared live during the show and presented on-stage by Special Olympics ambassador, actress Vanessa Williams. She will ask viewers to text the word “fan,” that’s F-A-N to 85944 to donate $10 to support Special Olympics Team USA.

The People’s Choice Award marketing has issued a press release mentioning Special Olympics’ involvement in the show and the organization will also be featured on their website: http://www.peopleschoice.com during the show. 

Vanessa Williams is scheduled to appear live at approximately 7:45 PM PST / 10:45 PM EST.  We have an opportunity to raise a lot of funds to support Special Olympics Team USA with this great P&G initiative so I appreciate your support. 

Thank you,

Bob Gobrecht
President& Managing Director
Special Olympics North America