Media invited to watch goaltender kick off second year of program after practice

RALEIGH, NC— Doug Warf, Manager of Community Relations and Executive Director of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Kids ‘N Community Foundation, announced today that goaltender Cam Ward will kick off the second year of his personal effort with Special Olympics North Carolina, “Cam’s Champs,” by shooting a public service announcement and posing with Special Olympics athletes after practice on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Media are invited to attend the event and Ward and the Special Olympics athletes in attendance will be available for interviews following the commercial shoot.

Ward started “Cam’s Champs” last season as a way to continue working with Special Olympics in North Carolina. The 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner first got involved with Special Olympics in Alberta, where one of the trainers for his junior hockey team, the Red Deer Rebels, was a Special Olympics athlete. This season, Ward will donate $4 for each save he makes to Special Olympics North Carolina, and will again host Special Olympics athletes and their families at the RBC Center for select Hurricanes home games, complete with a meet-and-greet after the games.

Ward is also inviting the public to join “Cam’s Champs” by donating to the cause at www.sonc.net. There are three different donation levels with prize opportunities including the opportunity to take shots on Ward on the ice or two round-trip airline tickets. “Cam’s Champs” members will also be recognized on the Special Olympics North Carolina website, which will track Ward’s saves for the season and list Hurricanes fans who have joined his cause.

Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition for more than 38,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These athletes inspire greatness through their success and provide motivation to the thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved with Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers Olympic-type competition in 20 sports on local and state levels. It is the second-largest Special Olympics program in North America in terms of athlete participation.