New Lenox Athlete Selected to Represent "Change for Champions"

During July, Jewel-Osco has relaunched its annual register fundraising campaign through the “Making Change” donation program called “Change for Champions” to support the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. The promotion runs July 1-31 at the 188 Jewel-Osco locations, where customers will be encouraged to make a donation during checkout.

This year “Change for Champions” celebrates Allie Leehaug of New Lenox. Allie began working at Jewel-Osco nearly 13 years ago. In addition to her time with Jewel-Osco, Allie is also a long-time Special Olympics Illinois athlete. She began competing in 1999 at age 11. She is also a high school graduate from Lincolnway East.

Over the past two decades, Allie has participated in track and field, traditional and Unified volleyball, basketball, bowling, softball, soccer and, her favorite sport, floor hockey. She enjoys the sport’s speed. Currently, she competes with Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) and the Oak Lawn Park District. Allie was selected to run the Pentathlon as part of Team Illinois at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey where she earned both bronze and gold medals. Additionally, she has been honored as the 2010 LWSRA Athlete of the Year, and a four-time Ron Knisley Spirit of the Game Award recipient. Allie also serves as Special Olympics Illinois Global Messenger and Darling Duckling – the athlete sales team for the Chicago Ducky Derby.

Kathy Lillie, a Jewel-Osco Personnel Coordinator, who began working with Allie in 2008, nominated her for this year’s ambassadorship.

“Allie is a reliable and hardworking employee with great customer service,” says Lillie. “I nominated Allie because of her involvement with community activities and her popularity with both employees and customers.”

You can see Allie’s reaction about her “Change for Champions” role here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e96l8uqsga22fs7/Video%20Jun%2029%2C%2011%2007%2016%20AM%20%281%29.mov?dl=0

In addition to the “Change for Champions” campaign, Jewel-Osco as the presenting sponsor for the 2021 Chicago Ducky Derby. This event has become a favorite Chicago summertime event and generates $400,000 for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. This year, 65,000 rubber ducks will be dropped into the Chicago River by way of the Columbus Bridge and will race to the finish line for a variety of prizes. To learn more about this event, visit www.chicagoduckyderby.com. Last month, Jewel-Osco also sponsored the Special Olympics Virtual Summer Games.

“We're so appreciative of our community partners that have shared visions of a world of inclusion, like Jewel-Osco,” said Valerie Day, Chief Development Officer, Special Olympics Illinois. “Not only have they step up to the challenge when it comes to their fundraising efforts, but Jewel-Osco provides jobs for many Special Olympics athletes throughout Illinois. Opportunities like these provide athletes with the ability to learn valuable life skills and be productive members of their communities.”

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,100 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. If you are interested in being a part of Special Olympics Illinois and its vision, contact your local region, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Locally great and nationally strong, Jewel-Osco was founded in 1899 and is owned by Albertsons Companies. The grocery and drug retailer has 188 locations encompassing Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Iowa, and employs 31,000+ associates. For more information log onto www.JewelOsco.com and follow on social media at Facebook.com/JewelOsco, Twitter.com/JewelOsco, Instragam.com/JewelOsco, Pinterest.com/JewelOscopr and YouTube.com/JewelOsco.