FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christina Connally Honkonen
706.275.1710
Christina.Honkonen@shawinc.com
Shaw Sponsors Special Olympics Georgia 2012 State Fall Games
Celebration event to attract more than 1,500 athletes to Dalton, Ga.
Dalton, Ga. – September 24, 2012- Shaw Industries Inc., the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading flooring provider, has announced its sponsorship of the Special Olympics Georgia 2012 State Fall Games. The event, October 12-14, will attract more than 1,500 athletes to Dalton, Ga., where seven competitions will be hosted as part of the three-day Special Olympics celebration. The sponsorship commitment consists of the Opening Ceremony, October 12 at the Dalton Trade Center, and awards presentation support for all sporting competitions. This will be the second time the flooring manufacturer has had the honor of sponsoring the State Fall Games.
“The Special Olympics Georgia State Fall Games are such an important and exciting event for our community and we’re honored to take part as a sponsor,” said Shaw CEO Vance Bell. “For two days, our community brings out the Olympic spirit and we watch these athletes truly enjoy themselves.”
This year’s State Fall Games will consist of a variety of sports competitions, including softball, bocce, cycling, long distance walking & running and golf. Shaw associates will volunteer during competitions at select venues throughout Dalton, Ga., including Heritage Point Park, Knob North Golf Club and Downtown Dalton Square.
“Support of Special Olympics means that more people with intellectual disabilities can participate in high-quality sports training and competition,” said Georgia Milton-Sheats, Special Olympics Georgia chief executive officer. “When our athletes succeed, attitudes change, communities develop, health and self-esteem are built, and the eyes of the world are focused on all that is good and hopeful and positive. Shaw Industries helps us to achieve this goal.”
About Shaw
Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floorcovering provider with more than $4 billion in annual sales and approximately 25,000 associates worldwide. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized leader in environmental stewardship, Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and Cradle to Cradle design solutions, collectively termed the Shaw Green Edge. For more information, visit wwww.shawfloors.com.
About Special Olympics Georgia
Special Olympics Georgia provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The goal is to help bring persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens. When this goal is achieved through the sports program, it demonstrates that Special Olympics has a unique value: to show the world that every person counts and that every person can be something good when everyone works together. Special Olympics Georgia invests in people with intellectual disabilities, helping them to develop athletic skills, while also promoting the abilities of the athletes off the field.
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