KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A check for $110,000 was presented to the Special Olympics during a ceremony that took place Friday, at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.
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Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean was one of the speakers at the ceremony which hosted one of the stops for The Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg team, a group part of the Special Olympics.
“The city of Santa Clarita is so honored to have these men and women from around the world right here in our community,” McLean said. “I thank each and every person who has given their time to support the Special Olympics.”
Alec Hagey, vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Region of Toyota Motor Sales presented the check donation at the ceremony.
“The mission of the Special Olympics is acceptance, inclusion and embracing diversity which align well with Toyota,” Hagey said.
Toyota who is the official automotive partner of the Special Olympics, according to Hagey, raised the money within 76 dealers in the southern California region. The original target that had been set for $100,000.
“Those dealers pulled together and I am very happy that we exceeded our objective,” Hagey said.
During the ceremony, the attendees used drums, tambourines and cowbells that had been provided for the crowd to cheer on the team.
“It was very interactive and I loved seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces as they played the drums.” said Rachel Dever, a member of a Girl Scouts troop that attended.
After the ceremony the team made another stop at the Frontier of Toyota dealership. Joe Caso, owner and president of Frontier Toyota exchanged gifts with the team and presented a plaque to Jonathan Sparks, a member of the team who also spoke at the ceremony.
“The Special Olympics has given me confidence in myself and has shown me that I can do anything if someone gives me a chance to try,” Sparks said.
The relay carrying torch named The Flame of Hope will include stops on more than 120 cities, covering 4,648 miles across the state of
California.
Its journey will be complete on July 25 at the opening ceremony for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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It was a pleasure to be at the event today. I am the leader of the Girl Scout troop that was there today, Troop 4592 from right here in Santa Clarita. We had a great time and really want to encourage the community to get out and support The Special Olympics. The athletes are amazing!