The Les Schwab Shivering Schwabsicles raised the fundraising stakes for this year’s Special Olympics Oregon Polar Plunge. Last Saturday a team of 18 employees from the corporate office carried a flag with the company logo and strode boldly and bravely into the icy Deschutes River. They did this to raise funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The team pledged to raise $12,000 which makes them the top fund raising team in Central Oregon and one of the largest in the state for Special Olympics Oregon. Les Schwab was the largest corporate fundraiser in 2012.
“Our company has been a behind- the- scenes sponsor of the Special Olympics since 2004,” said Brian Capp, vice president, Les Schwab Tire Centers. “The Polar Plunge enables employees to literally dive in and get involved on a personal level.”
Each team member raises a minimum of $50 from friends, family and colleagues. The Bend Polar Plunge marks the end of a month long competition held at five locations throughout the state.
Les Schwab retail stores also promoted the event to customers and encouraged participation. Donations raised for Special Olympics Oregon help fund year round sports training and athletic competitions for adults and children with intellectual disabilities providing opportunities to develop physical fitness and enjoy the challenges that come through participation in sports.
Les Schwab also sponsors a Pledge Challenge for high school students, encouraging them to educate their peers, teachers and the general public about the value of acceptance and inclusion of intellectually disabled youth and adults in all areas of activity.
“Les Schwab is an extraordinary long- term partner for Special Olympics Oregon. Every February Les Schwab employees run into that cold water and we know they care about our critical mission of improving the lives of people with ID all over the state,” explained Kim Bergstrom, Chief Development Officer, Special Olympics Oregon www.PlungeOregon.com
About Les Schwab
Les Schwab Tire Centers (www.lesschwab.com) is one of the leading independent tire dealers in the United States, with more than 6,600 employees and 444 locations throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. The Company has been recognized for its environmental and business practices through several awards including: a Milestone award from the Oregon Sustainability Board, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, an Environmental Excellence award from the Association of Washington Business, an Integrity Counts award from the Northern Idaho Better Business Bureau, and an Oregonian 2012 Top Work Place award.
