Join UCPLA for a celebration of all abilities at the 20th Annual Summer Games Competition!

WHAT: In 1996, Stan Crawford, an instructor at the United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties’ (UCPLA) Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program, decided to harness the enthusiasm for the Olympic Games in Atlanta by introducing a sports-themed competition designed to help participants in his program increase agility, self-esteem and teamwork skills.

This summer, as the Olympic Games once again returns to the world stage, Stan and the program’s participants will also gather to celebrate the landmark 20th anniversary of their annual Summer Games Competition, which challenges competitors to work individually and in groups to win ribbons in events that range from a basketball toss and obstacle course to relay races and a large-scale tug-o-war.

Joining the athletes at this year’s Summer Games Competition will be program alumni, former staff members and athletes from UCPLA’s 40 programs throughout Southern California. Throughout the course of the games, athletes and staff coaches will be wearing custom-designed t-shirts created by Title Sponsor The86ers to help raise awareness for the inclusion and compassion of individuals with developmental disabilities. The special edition t-shirts will also be for sale to the public at The86ers.net with 30% of the net proceeds going to benefit UCPLA programs and services across Southern California. Shirts are on sale at: http://the86ersbrand.com/mens-products/shirts/united-cerebral-palsy-t-shirt. Additional sponsors include: philanthropists Patricia and Joseph Paulucci, Suzanne and Bob Hogan, California Republic Bank, Home Helpers, Westlake Village 2016 Youth of the Year Ana Simons and Susan and Leon Ladd.

The 20th Anniversary Summer Games Competition will kick off with an Opening Ceremony on June 20 and will conclude with a Closing Ceremony and awards presentation on July 1. To showcase the varied abilities of these adults, including their artistic abilities, the UCPLA fine art gallery on campus will be featuring the current art exhibit titled Mind over Hand to Canvas, on display from June 14 through July 15.

WHEN: Opening Ceremonies begin Monday, June 20 with a “green” carpet for athlete photos starting at 10:30am

Closing Ceremonies begin Friday, July 1 at 2:15pm in the auditorium of the Conejo Valley Adult Education Campus

WHERE: UCPLA’s Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program – 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

QUESTIONS? Tamara Pompey, 818-782-2211 (office) or 805-750-0900 (cell).

United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (UCPLA) operates over 40 program sites throughout five counties in Southern California and has extended its mission to serve all people with developmental disabilities. These programs include adult day activity centers, children’s programs, community living support services, group homes and independent living apartments. UCPLA provides services to over 1,100 children and adults with developmental disabilities daily. For more information on UCPLA visit our website at: www.ucpla.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/ucpla.