MEDIA RELEASE

UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, has pledged its support as a Bronze Sponsor of Special Olympics of Hawaii’s Annual State Summer Games.

The Summer Games will take place May 25-27 at the University of Hawaii – Manoa campus. More than 1,100 coaches and athletes will compete in track and field, swimming, softball and powerlifting.

“Support from community-minded companies like UnitedHealthcare really allows us to put our focus on the athletes and providing them with the best experience possible for our annual competitions like the Summer Games,” said Dan Epstein, vice president of sports, Special Olympics Hawaii. “All our programs are provided free of charge to our athletes and their families, so support like theirs is critical to the ongoing success of our programs.”

Epstein said company sponsorships enable Special Olympics Hawaii to continue its mission to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for more than 2,100 individuals with intellectual disabilities in Hawaii.

“UnitedHealthcare is happy to support Special Olympics of Hawaii’s Annual Summer Games for the fourth year in a row,” said Bill Guptail, president of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in Hawaii. “Special Olympics brings thousands of Hawaii’s people – both with and without intellectual disabilities – together in the spirit of ohana and aloha and helps change perceptions and attitudes among all involved.”

“Some of our athletes have been in our program since its inception 40 years ago,” Epstein said. “Participation in Special Olympics has truly transformed their lives, providing them with a safe network of friends, acceptance and the opportunity to push their personal boundaries and experience the joy of competition.”

Special Olympics Hawaii provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in nine sports, conducting more than 50 events throughout the state for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Training and competition begins at age eight, with the Young Athlete Program offered to children from two and a half to seven years of age.

All programs are free of charge to registered athletes, including everything from facilities, equipment, uniforms, housing and transportation as well as meals for events, awards, sports competition, training education and more.

— Find out more:
www.SpecialOlympicsHawaii.org