August 4th, 2004

MORE ABOUT THE 25TH ANNUAL SHOPKO CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC

For the fifth straight year, the ShopKo Charity Golf Classic raised more than US$2 million for Special Olympics, the movement’s largest single-day fundraising event in the world.

Held on 2 August 2004 at 10 different golf courses in Green Bay, Wisconsin (USA), the 25th Anniversary edition of the Classic attracted nearly 1,500 golfers. In addition, almost 400 ShopKo employees volunteered their time to help make the golf classic a success.

Executives from more than 500 companies participate each year in the ShopKo Charity Golf Classic, representing the suppliers (such as current Special Olympics corporate partner Procter & Gamble) whose products are sold at ShopKo stores.

“ShopKo and its suppliers are changing the lives of more than 80,000 Special Olympics athletes in ShopKo communities,” said Jim Schmutz, Managing Director, Special Olympics North America. “This generous contribution will help recruit new athletes to experience the joy of sport and develop self-confidence and courage to become more active in their communities.”

“Our company is very proud of this event and the difference it makes in our communities,” said Sam Duncan, President and Chief Executive Officer of ShopKo Stores, Inc. “I played golf today with Stacey Johnston, an amazing Special Olympics athlete from Spokane, Washington. At ShopKo, we are better for knowing Stacey and these inspirational men and women, and we are grateful for the ShopKo suppliers and teammates who make it happen.”

As in years past, Special Olympics athletes representing the 15 states where ShopKo stores are located were the Classic's honored guests, playing golf at each of the 10 courses throughout Green Bay and sharing their experiences with all participants.

Among the celebrity guests at the Classic were Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA® 2004; Viktor “Swing Kong” Johansson, world long-drive champion; and National Football League Hall of Famer (and Green Bay Packers star) Jan Stenerud. Many renowned former Packers joined Stenerud, including Willie Davis, Fuzzy Thurston, Dave Robinson, Max McGee and Jeff Girard.

Dedicated to helping children and people with disabilities, Finnessey was recently awarded the “Angel Award” for her service and given a key to her hometown of Florissant, Missouri, for her work to promote inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Beyond being crowned Miss USA, one of her proudest achievements has been publishing a children's book, The Furrtails, on the subject.

Celebrating its silver anniversary, the ShopKo Charity Golf Classic has donated more than US$17 million to Special Olympics since 1994. This year Special Olympics will receive US$2,155,371 from the ShopKo Charity Golf Classic.

Johnston represented the entire movement in her speech at legendary Lambeau Field (home of the Packers), site of the 25th Anniversary "tailgate party" celebration held after the golf action. “Thank you Sam Duncan and the entire ShopKo company and ShopKo vendors, for all you have done for people like me,” said Johnston.

“If I can leave you with one message it is, ‘Our movement is your movement. We are ShopKo and ShopKo is us. Together, we are one team with one vision.’ Thank you!”

A Special Olympics athlete for 20 years, Johnston currently competes in swimming, golf and speed skating. Over the years, Johnston has competed in basketball, speed skating, athletics, soccer, team handball, cycling, softball, cross country skiing, long distance running, volleyball, golf, speed roller skating, and swimming. Johnston is an athlete representative on the Special Olympics Board of Directors and the Special Olympics Washington Board of Directors. Johnston travels all over the world on behalf of Special Olympics. In her spare time, Johnston works at a golf course in Spokane, Washington. Joining Johnston at the Classic were the following Special Olympics athletes:

Special Olympics Colorado — Jeff Gregory says he's never gone up against a challenge that he hasn't overcome. He has been a Special Olympics athlete for 23 years and actively participates in Special Olympics Colorado year-round. From Alpine skiing and basketball in the winter to softball and cycling in the summer, Gregory is no stranger to athletic training and competition.

Special Olympics Idaho — Bill Lutz has been a Special Olympics athlete for many years as both a Nordic skier and golfer. He has a great attitude and fun personality that really shines, and is known for the great sense of pride he shows for the movement.

Special Olympics Illinois — Steve Freeman of Rockford is an athlete and Global Messenger for Special Olympics Illinois. He competes in basketball, softball, soccer, bowling and volleyball and works part-time for the Rockford Public Library. Freeman is involved in the Boy Scouts, where he has achieved Brotherhood and Order of the Arrow and is working on his Eagle Scout project.

Special Olympics Iowa — Jesse Pease is one of the top athletes in Special Olympics Iowa. He is a gold medallist in both track and field and golf. Pease competed in both the 400M and 800M in track and field at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin. Special Olympics is a family affair with the Pease family; his father, Keith, is a Special Olympics Iowa Board Member.

Special Olympics Michigan — Ted Ketola lives in Wakefield, Michigan and has participated in Special Olympics for 17 years. He competes on both an area and state level in golf, basketball, walking, snowshoeing and Unified Sports® volleyball. He enjoys participating in the intense training and competition of Special Olympics' continuing year-round activities.

Special Olympics Minnesota — Troy Braam graduated in 2004 and is working through a temp agency and at odd jobs. Braam has participated in Special Olympics for nine years and competes in bowling, Unified Sports bowling, aquatics, volleyball, basketball and softball. Braam is a member of the Minnesota Valley Special Olympics team. His favorite sports are bowling and golf.

Special Olympics Montana — Scott Oliverson, who lives in Kalispell, comes from a family of avid golfers and is a dedicated competitor himself. Oliverson golfed at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven with hopes for a medal, but placed fifth. Oliverson proudly said that he “played as a good sport no matter what the odds.” At the recent 2004 Special Olympics Montana State Summer Games, Oliverson came home with silver in 9-hole competition for shooting a 44, adding another to his growing collection of golfing medals.

Special Olympics Northern California — Brian Bramblett has participated in Special Olympics since 2000. Basketball was originally "his" sport but he soon discovered swimming, soccer, volleyball, softball and golf. He now says that while he enjoys all sports, golf is his favorite. Amy Johnson has participated in many sports, including basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, bocce and aquatics, and has grown in many ways as a result of this involvement. She has a wonderful group of friends and supporters among her teammates and coaches as a result of her involvement, including her sister Jody, Jody's husband Mike, and her brother David.

Special Olympics Nebraska — David Steffan is from Elkhorn and has been participating in Special Olympics for 10 years. He competes in bowling, swimming, track, basketball, softball and golf. Golf is one of his favorite sports and Steffan is always eager for the chance to swing his clubs. He has participated in the Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament for the past two years, receiving both a bronze and silver medal. Steffan is also very active at his job with an Internet hosting company.

Special Olympics Nevada — Bryan Fortin has been participating in Special Olympics for three years. Last year he received second place in the 18-hole category at the California Challenge. Fortin can "handle anything" when it comes to golf. He is not just skilled at the sport, but enjoys playing his time on the course.

Special Olympics Oregon — Duane and Tammy Cleary have participated with Special Olympics Oregon for more than 10 years. Year-round athletes, they have tried nearly every sport that Special Olympics has to offer. Both Clearys work full time in addition to attending weekly sports practice. Duane Cleary participated in Summer World Games and has served six years as a member of the Special Olympics Oregon Board of Directors. Tammy has participated in Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) and has made community presentations about her experiences with Special Olympics.

Special Olympics South Dakota — Nathan Smith, a senior at Washington High School, enjoys many sports, especially any that include a ball. Smith runs the mile in cross country for Washington High School. He is the team's student manager and his father, Eric, is the assistant coach. In his spare time Smith likes to ride his bike and watch sports in TV. He has participated in Special Olympics ever since he reached the age of eligibility (eight years of age).

Special Olympics Utah — Brandon Wojciechowski has been an athlete in Special Olympics for nine years, competing in volleyball, cross country skiing, basketball, track, bowling, bocce and golf; he considers the three latter his favorites. Three years ago he started playing golf, competing in skills competition. Wojciechowski decided he loved the game, and in just the next year, won gold medal in the Unified Sports 9-hole competition. His Unified Sports partner said, “He's a natural!”

Special Olympics Wisconsin — Kevin Erickson is from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Kevin is an all-round athlete who is involved in soccer, bowling and other sports, but his favorite sport by far is golf. He works at Mystery Hills Golf Course in DePere, Wisconsin. (Read Kevin Erickson's profile in the "Meet our Athletes" section of this Web site)

Shopko Classic Facts:

• The ShopKo Charity Golf Classic has grown to one of the world's largest one-day fundraisers to benefit Special Olympics. In 2003, The ShopKo Charity Golf Classic also raised US$2.1 million.
  
  
• The money raised provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to train and compete in year-round sports programs that build confidence and focus on abilities, not disabilities.
  
  
• The participating golf courses are Brown County Golf Course, Crystals Springs, Green Bay County Club, Irish Waters, Ledgeview Golf Course, Mid-Vallee, Northbrook, Oneida Golf & Country Club, Thornberry Creek and Wander Springs.
  
  
• More than 400 ShopKo employees volunteer to work on the golf courses and behind the scenes to help make the event a success.

In 1961 ShopKo was organized in Chicago, Illinois, by James Ruben; the first store opened in 1962 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, location of the corporate headquarters. The company operates more than 360 stores in states throughout the Midwest, Western Mountain and Pacific Northwest United States. More than 140 multi-department ShopKo stores are located in mid-sized to larger cities and more than 220 convenient one-stop Pamida stores supply customers in smaller communities of rural America. ShopKo is committed to supporting programs and services that benefit those in need as part of its mission, and considers assisting people with disabilities, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged a key factor in choosing which charities to support. For more information about ShopKo or Pamida, visit the ShopKo Web site.

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