Tinley Park 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. Tinley Park resident and Bank of America employee Cheryl Carter 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.

As enterprise chair of the Disability Group at Bank of America, Carter has worked very closely supporting Special Olympics and bringing their stories to its membership. On a more personal level, Carter has a daughter with multiple disabilities as well as a 19 year old niece with Down Syndrome. Her niece Kaitlyn was asked to participate in the local Special Olympics this year, but unfortunately is unable as she in the hospital recovering from a surgery that will help prevent her from being wheelchair bound. Carter will be participating in the Relay in honor of her niece, who is not able to participate herself.

Carter 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 Carter, participated in the relay and helped spread the great work Special Olympics is doing all over the country.