Cingular and the Special Olympics: This weekend at the Daytona International Speedway, Cingular Wireless and Special Olympics have teamed up to offer a Special Olympics athlete a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the race track. Cingular is racing towards its four-year goal of raising $40 million for Special Olympics and to showcase its commitment, Cingulars #01 Dodge Intrepid race car, driven by Jason Leffler, will display a Special Olympics paint scheme for all Winston Cup races during June and July. In addition, through its Winning for Special Olympics pledge for the Pepsi 400, Cingular will donate $100 to Special Olympics for each lap Leffler completes, $1,000 to Special Olympics for each lap Leffler leads, and if Leffler wins, Cingular will donate $100,000 to Special Olympics. To help raise awareness for Cingulars ongoing $40 million initiative, Special Olympics athletes have had the opportunity to participate first-hand in Americas fastest growing sport during the past three race weekends. They will continue to do so at Daytona and at the July 15th race in Chicago, IL. In addition to spending the weekend at the track, meeting the athletes and learning about the sport, these Special Olympics athletes have performed such track related tasks as honorary starter, honorary team member, riding in the pace car and honorary pit crew member. At the Daytona International Speedway this Saturday, Victor Stewart, one of 12 Sargent Shriver Global Messengers for Special Olympics, Inc., will get an up close and personal orientation to NASCAR and also serve as an honorary pit crew member at the Pepsi 400. As a Global Messenger, Stewart has the opportunity to tell the world about Special Olympics. Cingular is also selling limited edition, souvenir, die-cast versions of the #01 race car to commemorate its unique paint scheme and raise money for Special Olympics. A percentage of the proceeds generated from the die-cast car sales go directly to Special Olympics. Cars are available in Cingular Wireless retail outlets and at many Special Olympics State Summer Games. In addition, Cingular Wireless has launched a 60-day promotional drive to collect donations on behalf of Special Olympics. During the promotional months of June and July, consumers who donate $20 to Special Olympics and sign up for service at a Cingular Wireless retail store are eligible for: · An exclusive $35 rate plan offer, An Internet-ready Ericsson handset,· A co-branded Cingular/Blockbuster gift certificate for five free movie rentals good at participating Blockbuster stores. Donations raised by Cingular will support year-round training and competitions for Special Olympics athletes, who participate in the activities free of charge as well as help send Special Olympics Team USA athletes to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland.(Ketchum PR)(7-3-2001) (7-2-2001)
