Sports Legends Help Launch "Opening Ceremony" Of Safeway's Annual Campaign Supporting Easter Seals, Special Olympics and Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Famed Skater Kristi Yamaguchi and NBA Great Sam Perkins help celebrate achievements of people with disabilities, recognize 20th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act as Safeway begins annual fundraiser for Easter Seals and Special Olympics.

WHO:

• U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Skater Kristi Yamaguchi
• Lakers Legend and U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Sam Perkins
• Safeway Executive Vice President and Safeway Foundation Chair Larree Renda
• Easter Seals CEO Jim Williams
• Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver
• KTVU Sports Anchor Joe Fonzi
• KNBR Sports Talk Show Host Brian Murphy
• Bay Area Safeway employees, Special Olympians and Easter Seals clients

WHAT:  Safeway Inc., one of the nation's largest employers of people with disabilities, will launch a month-long fundraising and awareness-raising campaign by highlighting the unique abilities of people with special needs and celebrating their commitment to their jobs and communities. The event will feature Special Olympics athletes lighting a torch to officially mark the start of a campaign. Safeway, which employs roughly 10,000 people with disabilities, will call on employers nationwide to hire people with disabilities and outline how this "extraordinary resource" can make a positive contribution to any company.  This year's campaign coincides with the 20th Anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

WHEN:  Monday, March 29, 2010 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Alameda Safeway, 2227 South Shore Center, Alameda, CA  94501

VISUALS: Special Olympic runners – escorted by police motorcade to the store – carry Special Olympic/"Flame of Hope" to event stage at the store.  Children/Easter Seals clients sing. Celebrity bagging contest in which Yamaguchi, Perkins, Williams and Shriver are coached by Safeway's special employees in the art of properly bagging groceries. (Yes, neatness counts.)

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Interviews may be arranged the morning of March 29 prior to the event with Safeway representatives and event participants.

CONTACTS:
Brian Dowling,
Safeway VP of Public Affairs – 925/467-3787
Teena Massingill,
Safeway Director of Public Affairs – 925/467-3810
Jim Zelinski,
Zelinski Public Relations – 925/242-0918 or 415/420-6050 (cell phone).

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to 2.5 million adults and children with intellectual disabilities across 165 countries. The Special Olympics movement offers one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for all people–regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. Find out how you can become involved atwww.somt.org