Wheaton 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. Wheaton resident and Bank of America employee Julie Gustafson 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.

Special Olympics of Illinois and its mission hold deep significance for Gustafson, both personally and professionally, as she is a member of the Special Olympics Illinois Foundation Board and has family members that have served as coaches for many years. Through her involvement with Special Olympics, she has seen firsthand how the program enhances the lives of the athletes, their families and its supporters alike and sees the Unified Relay as a wonderful privilege to further support Special Olympics.

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