Six local Special Olympics teens selected for dream trip of a lifetime to the U.S.

Six very excited local Special Olympics athletes are now packing in preparation for an all-expenses paid trip in late August, after having been selected to experience the sights, sounds, colour and high-octane action of the annual Dream Ride Experience in Connecticut, USA.

The Dream Ride Experience for these lucky local teens is thanks to a partnership forged between Romeo’s Retail Group, Balfours, Visy Board, NOVA Entertainment and Variety - the Children’s Charity, which will also allow these South Australian youngsters to meet with international Special Olympians who have made it to the highest levels of their chosen sport.

The lucky teens selected for this amazing trip are:

-          Damien Jenkins, 15 year’s old from Blakeview (Special Olympics Cricket player)

-          Mikala Green, 15 year’s old from Smithfield (Special Olympics Bowling and Athletics)

-          Shem Forrest, 15 year’s old from Craigmore (Special Olympics Bowling and Athletics)

-          Daniel Eichner, 14 year’s old from Marleston (Special Olympics Basketball player)

-          James Eustance-Smith, 15 year’s old from Flagstaff Hill (Special Olympics Cricket player)

-          Nicholas O’Brien, 15 year’s old from Somerton Park (Special Olympics Basketball player)

“For most of these young athletes this is their first time on a plane, or experiencing an overseas trip, so we are very pleased to provide an opportunity for them to meet with their international Special Olympian counterparts in an environment where the focus is on ability,” said Joseph Romeo, of Romeo’s Retail Group.

“It has been outstanding to see so many local organisations come together to create this unique opportunity, and represents what can be achieved when individuals, businesses and the broader community work together to help make dreams come true,” he said.

The six lucky South Australian children selected by Variety SA in consultation with Special Olympics will travel with their respective carer or guardian to the US from August 24–31, with airfares, accommodation, a special trip to NYC and all transfers and access to the Dream Ride event covered by the donors.

First established in 2001, the Dream Ride Experience remains the signature fundraising event of The Hometown Foundation, Inc. In addition to celebrating the achievements of Special Olympics athletes, the annual event brings together thousands of motoring enthusiasts together with people with an intellectual disability during the multi-day extravaganza, which features the Dream Ride, Dream Cruise, Dream Concert, Dream Show, and a Family Fun Zone. 

###

About Romeo’s Retail Group

The Romeo Family first started in the supermarket industry in March 1987. Beginning with one small convenience store, they have progressively built a business that now stands as an outstanding independent retailing success story.

With this retailing success the Romeo Family have received many awards such as State Retailer of the Year 2001, 2004, 2007 & 2008, National Retailer of the Year 2001 & 2008 and International Retailer of the Year 2002 and 2009 which was chosen from over 72 countries from all over the world. Industry experts have commended the family for their exceptional performance in areas ranging from leadership and innovation to staff development and managerial grooming.

About Balfours

Baking for more than 150 years, Balfours is a loved favourite for its traditional bakery recipes, including pies, pasties and sausage rolls, custard tarts, donuts, Frog Cakes™, Kitchener buns, and vanilla slices. From the long-lingering memory of having a Balfours treat all to yourself as a child, to the grown-up pleasure of some precious ‘me time’ with a tasty Balfours product, the Balfours brand continues to inspire a feeling of joy and comfort. ‘Balfours, baking people happy since 1853’.

Balfours’ extensive range of quality savoury and sweet bakery products are sold in selected convenience stores, sporting venues, schools and supermarkets nationally.

About Visy Board

Visy is a leading, privately owned packaging and resource recovery company, with more than 120 sites across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam and trading offices across Asia, Europe and the USA.

Fostering an entrepreneurial culture Visy leads in speed to market with new packaging innovations.   Our passion for innovation and commitment to sustainable investment enables us to supply the industry with world-class, quality and locally manufactured products. Visy’s insights and Innovation team scout the world for inspiration and opportunity to stay ahead of local market trends to bring great ideas to life and work with our customers to help facilitate growth.  We do everything from preserve and protect a product to help enhance it for your consumer.  Whether you need cans, boxes, plastics, carry packs, automation, kegs, point of sale, recycling or other packaging – let Visy provide the packaging solution for you.

About NOVA Entertainment

NOVA Entertainment is Australia’s fastest growing entertainment company with broad interests across the media industry. The company has a national footprint in the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Central Coast markets with the NOVA Network being the most listened to metro network in Australia.

Other key brands include Smoothfm - a contemporary easy listening FM network in Sydney and Melbourne and FIVEaa – the leading commercial talk station in Adelaide. As one of the media industry’s most innovative companies, NOVA Entertainment’s vision is to endure as an entertainment company, with a mission to create content that is loved and shared by audiences, wherever they are.

About Variety - the Children’s Charity

Variety -the Children’s Charity is a not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs to live, laugh and learn. Variety provides practical equipment & experiences through Variety programs (Freedom, Future Kids & Caring for Kids), helping Australian children in need overcome whatever obstacles they face to live life to the fullest!