Resident helps Special Olympics

Westlake resident Steve Savage, actor and radio personality, will host the annual Tri-Valley Special Olympics April 13 in Glendale. Savage is asking for help with raffle prizes and volunteer services.

"I’m asking that the community help us out with raffle prizes or in-kind services to make the program really work," Savage said.

Savage displayed numerous prizes already donated by the Canyon Club and Casa Rea Restaurant.

"I have a bunch of show tickets from the Canyon, and the owner of Casa Rea gave me a guitar," Savage said. "But we need a lot more to help fund the program."

To donate, give Savage a call at (805) 373-1168.

Those who qualify in Glendale will advance to the Southern California Special Olympic State Games to be held in June at Cal State Long Beach.

Beside the sporting events, there will be live bands, dancing, marching bands, games, celebrities such as Jon and Charlye of KHAY, actor Rafer Johnson, a former Decathlon Gold Medal winner, food and much more.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver started the Special Olympics in 1963 as a way to encourage the therapeutic effects of physical fitness and sports.

In 1968 she organized the first International Special Olympics Games, in which 1,000 athletes from the U.S., Canada and France competed.

For information on the Ventura County program, call (805) 650-7717, or visit by Internet e-mail ventura@sosc.org.