The Special Olympics is hosting a fundraiser that not only benefits the Special Olympics Santa Clarita and Tri-Valley, but another non-profit organization as well, Hoops of Hope.

On Saturday April, 7, Special Olympics Southern California will host their first-ever Special Olympics and Hoops of Hope “Shoot-a-thon”.

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This fun and exciting fundraiser will take place at the City of Santa Clarita Sport Complex , starting at noon and going throughout the afternoon. The Shoot-a-thon is sponsored by Aids Heathcare Foundation, Northrop Grumman, Southern California Orthopedic Institute, Advantage Disposal, Lockheed Federal Credit Union and Norton Wike, LLC.

Special Olympics Santa Clarita offers athletic training and competition to athletes age eight years old and above in a variety of Olympic-type sports. Special Olympics Santa Clarita and Tri-Valley currently trains more than 950 extremely motivated athletes with intellectual disabilities who compete year-round in 12 different sports.

Hoops of Hope is a non-profit organization that was created in 2004 by then 10-year old Austin Gutwein who wanted to bring awareness and raise funds for the more than 15 million children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

On World AIDS Day 2004, Austin shot over 2,000 free throws to represent the more than 2,000 kids who were orphaned during his day at school.  Since then, Austin has been recruiting others to join him and together they have raised more than $2 million for these children.

“We are thrilled to be able to have a joint fundraiser with Hoops of Hope” says Laura Mayo, Regional Director, Special Olympics.   “This is a first-time event and we have six very generous sponsors who have stepped up to support both organizations.”

Come join high school and college athletes side-by-side with Special Olympic athletes to raise funds for two truly amazing organizations.

For more information or to become a Shoot-a-thon sponsor, call 661-253-2121.