PARALYMPIAN TO APPEAR IN ROCHESTER TO SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK-GENESEE REGIONAimee

Mullins to Highlight 14th Annual Special Olympics, “Crystal Ball”
Special Olympic athletes from 11 counties across New York will celebrate the "Crystal Ball, Olympic Gala," a salute to Special Olympics New York- Genesee Region. The fourteenth annual event, set for Saturday, April 2, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Rochester will feature Olympian Aimee Mullins, who competed in the1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. The Crystal Ball, is the largest fund-raiser for Special Olympics attracting 650 attendees each year and raising more than $100,000. Mullins has an inspirational story to tell. Her legs were amputated at the age of one. She is a bilateral below-the knee amputee, born without fibula bones in both shins. But with the most advanced artificial legs, she was able to set world records in running the 100 and 200 meter dash and the long jump at the Paralympics in 1996. From her childhood on she displayed an incredible drive and determination. She was one of three high school students to win a U.S. Department of Defense scholarship. Mullins was part of the women’s track team at Georgetown competing against able-bodied athletes, the first disabled member of a division I track team.
In May, 1998 she graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a dean’s list major in history and diplomacy.
Since the Olympics, she has been featured in many forms of media having been recently selected as one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.” She won the “Disabled Female Athlete of the Year” from USA track and Field, was 1997’s “Women of Distinction awardee and a nominee for ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Award for courage in 1998. Her passion for running is equaled only by her drive and determination to make a difference in whatever she pursues.
Mullins is sponsored by Xerox Corporation. She is one of the Xerox Team Olympians, a group of gold-medal winners who travel the country speaking to non-profit and charitable organizations about self-esteem and team building. Joining Mullins at the Crystal Ball, Olympic Gala will be a host of local media Celebrities and honorary Special Olympics New York Coach, Cathy Turner, gold medalist in speed skating. CoChairs of the event are Post Central’s Gary Knaak and RIT’s Cindee Gray. Auction Co-chairs are Tony DiCesear and Lori Ramsperger. Among the auction highlights at the Gala are the Disney World Raffle complete with four tickets, airfare and lodging and the second chance plasma flat screen tv. Guests will enjoy the surprise opening ceremonies with the theme," I Believe.” and the participation of the New York City Band, Total Soul. The evening includes a dinner, dance and auction.The "Crystal Ball, Olympic Gala" , a sellout each year raises money for the 3200 athletes who participate year round in 20 sports in an eleven county area of the Genesee Region. Individual tickets are $100. Patron Tables, which include a ½ page ad are $1200. Sponsor Tables with a full page ad are $2500. To reserve a table or for more information contact the Special Olympics Genesee Region office at (585) 586-7400x 104 or go to the Gala Website.