(Springboro, OH) - Warren County Special Olympics received a $2,500 donation when Sheetz held a charitable grand opening ceremony at its first convenience store in Warren County on April 17, 2024.

Sheetz Public Relations Manager Nick Ruffner said Sheetz celebrates new store openings by inviting local Special Olympics athletes to speak at the grand opening and collect a donation to the Special Olympics Program.

Kelley Castle, 25, is an individual served by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) who participates in Special Olympics basketball and floor hockey. She said she helps her community, “by showing what Special Olympics is all about.”

“I have wanted a good, fun athletic challenge at my skill level,” Castle said. “Special Olympics helped me find the athletic challenge I was looking for.”

David Werner, 39, is an individual served by WCBDD who participates in equestrianism, swimming, and disc golf. He has participated in Special Olympics for over 10 years. 

“Special Olympics helped me become confident in myself,” Werner said.

Paul Fellinger, Regional Director of Special Olympics Ohio Southwest, said 20,000 athletes participated in Special Olympics last year in Ohio with the help of sponsors and volunteers.

“There’s a lot of Sheetz opening in the state of Ohio and it’s special for us, it’s special for Special Olympics, because of what our partnership means,” Fellinger said. “Why this relationship with Sheetz is so important is that not a single athlete pays a single dime to practice or compete at the local, regional, or state level.”

Ruffner encouraged Sheetz customers to donate to Special Olympics Ohio at the register. The new Sheetz store is located at 35 Tahlequah Trl. in Springboro, Ohio. 

For more information, contact Megan Becker at megan.becker@warrencountydd.org or (859) 653-7445.