News & Views
News & Views
May 28, 2008
EUGENE 08 ANNOUNCES TICKET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The local organizing committee of Eugene 08 has launched a Ticket Scholarship Program by committing to donate tickets for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field to four community service agencies for distribution to their clients. The agencies are Head Start of Lane County, Catholic Charities of Lane County, Committed Partners for Youth and Big Brothers Big Sisters, each of which serve low income families and/or at risk youth and will create a process for distribution of the tickets for their clients. Eugene 08 has set aside 40 tickets per day for the Scholarship Program.
Nick Symmonds is not only a fast runner, he is a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and knows how important big community events are to kids who wouldn't normally get to attend. "My little brother has not been able to see me run this season" Symmonds said. "I'm excited that he and his mom will get to go to the Olympic Trials."
"We're thrilled that Eugene 08 has given back to the community in this way" said Jay Baughman, a program manager at Committed Partners for Youth. CPY's share of the tickets will allow at-risk youth and their adult mentors to spend a day watching the athletes compete at the Olympic Trials and then taking in the Eugene 08 Festival (which is free to the public.) Area low-income families will also benefit from the program through Catholic Charities of Lane County and Head Start of Lane County.
Area residents can support the Ticket Scholarship Program in two ways - by donating to the Eugene 08 Ticket Scholarship Program via the donate now tab on the Eugene 08 website. Head Start of Lane County will also accept donations of tickets (to be distributed to the four agencies.) Ticketholders who might not be able to attend a day's competition can donate tickets by mailing them or dropping them off at the Head Start office, 221 B Street, Springfield, Oregon 97477. The office is open weekdays from 8 am -5 pm. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.