Inaugural Bocce Tournament to Benefit Special Olympics

Celebrities join Special Olympics athletes for day of fun and competition

CULVER CITY, Calif., March 19, 2009—Celebrities will join Special Olympics athletes to compete in the Inaugural Bocce Tournament on March 29, noon to 4 p.m. Bocce is one of Special Olympics’ most popular sports and is similar to lawn bowling. The event will be held on the lawns of the historic Culver Studios where “Gone with the Wind” was filmed. All proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Southern California, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Tournament co-chairs KCAL9 News Anchor Pat Harvey and Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson with be joined by the event’s emcee Jesse “Boy Toy” Lozano of KIIS-FM. Other celebrities include Tom Arnold, Valerie Bertinelli, Jimmy Jean Louis, Stacy Kiebler, Maureen McCormick, Jeremy Ratchford, Victor Alfieri, Paul Campbell, AJ Michalka, Katie Gill, Yvette Nicole Brown, Anthony Anderson, Jillian Claire, and Jason Dolley.

“Bocce is one of our most popular sports because it allows our athletes to play at any age,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO, Special Olympics Southern California. “If you’ve ever thought of getting involved with Special Olympics, this is a great event to meet our athletes and celebrity supporters, participate in a fun sport and learn how we have been inspiring fans and changing lives for 40 years.”

The participants will compete in teams of four with one Special Olympics athlete serving as team captain to offer bocce demonstrations and instruction. Individuals, groups and corporations can attend this event to raise money for Special Olympics athletes so that they can compete, train, and enjoy sports at no cost to them or their families.

Team registrations and sponsorships are available from $1,000 to $10,000. Individual tickets range from $50 to $150.

Culver Studios is located at 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Special Olympics Southern California celebrates 40 years of changing lives through the power of sport. Special Olympics offers opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in year-round sports training and competition. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. For more information about how to compete, volunteer, coach or donate to Special Olympics Southern California, visit www.sosc.org