TITLE
Recommendation to receive a presentation on the status of the new Long Beach headquarters for Special Olympics Southern California, and a presentation to the Long Beach Special Olympics from the Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show.
DISCUSSION
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization, providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Last summer, Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) announced that it would be locating its headquarters in Long Beach. SOSC provides services to more than 10,000 athletes with the assistance of approximately 12,000 volunteers throughout the 11 counties of Southern California.
Long Beach also serves as host to the annual Summer Games at California State University, Long Beach, attended by 1,500 athletes and 3,000 volunteers.
Bill Shumard, the President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California will provide an update on their new home in Long Beach.
Also, the Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show presented by Toyota is organized by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, in partnership with my office. It drew about 10,000 fans of classic cars and vintage top fuel dragsters to Atlantic Avenue in it's second annual event last July.
The net proceeds of the event are being dedicated to the Long Beach Special Olympics organization to assist in providing transportation for local athletes to Special Olympics events.
These funds will be formally presented to the Long Beach Special Olympics by the Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show committee.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Councilwoman Rae Gabelich, Eighth Districg