Malibu resident helps raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics
By Judy-Anne Goldman/Special to The Malibu Times
Eleven years ago, Malibu’s Anita Green thought her fundraising help with the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) was a one-time thing. Already busy with many charities and activities, the friend who solicited her aid urged Green to become a part of the organization. Green tried to refuse. However, a phone call directly from SOSC Board Chairman Sargeant Shriver (First Lady Maria Shriver’s father) was the pivotal moment.
“It’s hard to say you’re too busy to Sargeant Shriver!” Green said. “So, I got drafted and it’s been a wonderful experience.”
After more than a decade of involvement with the SOSC, Green is co-chair of this year’s seventh annual Pier Del Sol, one of the major fundraisers for the organization. The family event will take place at Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Special Olympics isn’t just a one day event. The public doesn’t realize that the athletes are competing all year,” Green said. “Other fund raising events involve sports. Pier Del Sol is solely to give the athletes, supporters and families a fun day and I think that’s what it does.”
Timothy J. Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment, the STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Kings, will receive recognition as this year’s Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) honoree for his generous effort and contributions to numerous charitable causes as well as his involvement with the SOSC, including past membership on the organization’s Board of Governors.
An awards ceremony to honor Leiweke will take place at noon.
Entertainment throughout the day will feature live country music by the Mill Creek Boys, square dancers, a petting zoo, VIP brunch and a silent auction.
Originally, the auction started by accident, Green said.
“One year someone donated some incredible toys to give as prizes. We thought they were too nice just to give away, so we auctioned them off. Since then, it’s grown. People have donated box seats at the L.A. Kings games, hockey paraphernalia, Lakers tickets, trips, and dinners from the restaurants in the VIP section. It’s an eclectic group of things.”
VIP restaurants this year will include more of 35 of Los Angeles’ finest, including Spago, Bastide, Josie, Patina, Max, Angelini Osteria, Melisse, Sona Valentino and the Water Grill.
Adding glamour to the festivities, celebrity guests will host game booths. Past honorees and celebrity guests have included Kathleen Kennedy, Olympic gold medallist Rafer Johnson, Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke, and Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver.
“Maria and Arnold have come every year, but they don’t tell us beforehand,” Green said. “Of course, with the election and everything, we don’t know if they’ll make it this year.”
Special Olympics Southern California is dedicated to having a positive impact on the lives of mentally challenged individuals. Pier Del Sol was first held in 1997 and has raised more than $2 million to benefit the SOSC athletes. The organization states that more than 11,000 children and adults with mental disabilities participate in the SOSC’s year-round program of sports, training and competition.
General admission tickets are $35 and include unlimited rides, six game booth tickets and a meal coupon for Pacific Park’s Food Plaza. VIP tickets are $100 and include unlimited rides and games at Pacific Park and the special VIP brunch. A VIP package of five VIP tickets is available for $375. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232 or on the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information contact Special Olympics Southern California at 310.215.8380, ext. 135.