SMART Sponsors Golf Tournament to Benefit Special Olympics PA

PHILADELPHIA, PA  May 2007 –  For the fifth year in a row, SMART is the Title Sponsor for an annual golf tournament to benefit Special Olympics, this year, teaming up with Special Olympics Pennsylvania, on Monday, October 1st, at Overbrook Golf Club in Bryn Mawr.  The goal is to raise enough money to fully sponsor the 2007 Fall Festival, which is held each year at Villanova University. 

The athletes participating in the Fall Festival compete in soccer, roller skating, volleyball, powerlifting, bocce, long distance running and long distance walking.  In addition, the Festival features free eye exams, dental care, podiatry exams, physical therapy, hearing tests and health education.  In 2005, over 50 percent of the athletes treated were diagnosed with some type of health deficiency.  These athletes received prescription glasses, hearing aides, medical referrals, physical therapy and health education.

Through the support of our community, we will be able to fund all the major competition expenses for 1,000 athletes to feel like winners.  The average cost per athlete is $250 for transportation, coaching, training, competition, awards, sports clinics, health care, social activities, meals, lodging and case management.

Due to the generosity of SMART, 100 percent of the money raised at this year’s golf tournament will go directly to Special Olympics Pennsylvania to benefit the Fall Festival.  All contributions are tax exempt and the Festival program is offered at no cost to participants and is staffed by hundreds of volunteers.

Special Olympics is a life-changing movement of people helping people. The athletes of Special Olympics -- over 18,000 strong here in Pennsylvania -- are constant reminders of all that is right with the human spirit.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

All training and competition opportunities are provided free of charge to the athletes and their families, enabling everyone to experience the benefits of Special Olympics that extend well beyond the playing field. For more information, contact Amy Greene at 610-254-2216.

About SMART

SMART Business Advisory and Consulting, LLC (www.smartgrp.com) is a premier, full-service business advisory and consulting firm serving clients throughout the U.S. and globally. SMART offers innovative solutions to public and private companies in the areas of business consulting and advisory, technology, business process, accounting, compensation and benefits, and tax. Through an alternative practice structure, SMART and Associates, LLP offers a full range of attest services.

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