Roscoe Village Resident Participates in First-Ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America

Over the weekend, the first-ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America, presented by Bank of America, made its way to Chicago. Roscoe Village resident and Bank of America employee Siri Vemuri joined local residents, Special Olympics supporters and fellow Bank of America employees in helping to carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope, as the torch makes its historic journey across America, on its way to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, CA, on July 25th.

Inspired by Sophie, her childhood friend and Special Olympics champion, who has Down Syndrome, Vemuri has spent more than ten years volunteering closely with those with disabilities. During this time, Vemuri has built a special connection with Special Olympics as she has seen firsthand how the program gives children and adults with disabilities the ability to prove they are so much more than just what people see on the surface. As a friend, a confidant and a source of love and confidence, Vemuri is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Unified Relay and support Sophie and others like her.

Vemuri is one of thousands of participants across the United States that are running, walking or biking a segment of the Unified Relay as it passes through all 50 states. In Chicago, 525 runners on 73 teams participated as torchbearers. In its role as presenting sponsor, Bank of America is providing significant financial and volunteer support to the Unified Relay. A team of eight Bank of America employees, including Vemuri, participated in the relay and helped spread the great work Special Olympics is doing all over the country.