TEXAS - Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) and Cavender’s have partnered together to help raise funds for Special Olympics Texas sports competitions and training. Cavender’s Paper Torch Campaign has supported SOTX athletes, competitions, and health programs for eight consecutive summers. The fundraiser will begin at all Texas Cavender’s locations on July 1st and run throughout the entire month of July. Customers will be given the option of purchasing a Paper Torch for $1, $5, or $10 at checkout. 

All funds generated by the Cavender’s Paper Torch Campaign will help support Special Olympics Texas athletes’ experience in sports by providing sports competition and training throughout the Lone Star State. This includes sports competitions at the local, regional, and state levels, as well as funding programs such as Unified Sports® and Unified Champion Schools®. Furthermore, Cavender's has sponsored the organization’s equestrian competitions, which continue to grow each year. The Paper Torch Campaign will increase awareness of the movement toward inclusion and ensure SOTX athletes succeed both on and off the field.

"This is our 8th summer doing the SOTX Paper Torch Campaign and our Texas stores are excited and ready for July! The Cavender’s family and associates are grateful to SOTX for the opportunity to be part of your organization. We hope this is the best campaign yet. Since last summer, we have opened a new store in Rosenberg so we hope to gain more support in that region,” says Cavender’s Events and PR Manager, Jennifer Green. 

The campaign will also host an Activation Day on Thursday, July 21st, from 12:00pm-2:00pm. SOTX athletes and Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) officers will make appearances at their local Cavender’s store to thank, greet, and engage with their customers to create awareness about the campaign and the Special Olympics Texas mission. All 58 store locations will participate in the Paper Torch Campaign throughout July and will host an Activation Day for customers to interact with LETR and Special Olympics Texas athletes.