The Kramer Cares charity of the month for January is Special Olympics New Jersey.
It all began in the early 1960s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver noticed how unjustly people with intellectual disabilities were treated. Disabled children all over the world weren’t given the same opportunities to participate in sports as “normal” children. Things would slowly begin to change when Eunice started a summer camp for young people with intellectual disabilities. Little did she know, this little summer camp she was hosting in her backyard would soon blossom into a worldwide program.
It was in 1969 that New Jersey formally adopted a Special Olympics program, where they sent 18 athletes to participate in the Eastern Regional Special Olympics in Maryland. It was evident that the program was new in NJ, as they didn’t have enough uniforms for the athletes and very little equipment. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find that New Jersey has become one of the more elite Special Olympics programs in the entire world! They are also a leader in the Unified Sports and Young Athletes programs!
The impact of Special Olympics New Jersey is substantial. Annually, upwards of 26,000 New Jersey athletes are given the opportunity to participate, free of charge. Participants are also eligible for free medical screenings. With the help of over 20,000 volunteers, and donations made statewide, Special Olympics New Jersey was able to amass over $9 million in 2018, with annual numbers continuously trending up.
As Kramer’s charity of the month, Kramer Beverage and its employees are teaming up to raise money for Special Olympics New Jersey. The company will match every dollar that Kramer’s employees donate! We are incredibly proud to help an organization that allows intellectually disabled people the ability to participate in their favorite sports!
If you’d like to learn more about Special Olympics New Jersey, make a donation, or volunteer, visit their website here!
About Kramer Beverage
Kramer Beverage is South Jersey’s largest beer wholesaler, owned and operated by four generations of the Kramer family since 1924. Kramer Beverage is based out of Hammonton, Atlantic County, and services eight counties in southern New Jersey with top brands from MillerCoors, Constellation, Yuengling, Boston Beer, Heineken USA, Pabst, Diageo, FIFCO, and more. Kramer Beverage also distributes a wide variety of craft beers, from suppliers such as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, to local favorites including Flying Fish, Double Nickel, Evil Genius, Glasstown, Sly Fox, and 2SP. For more information on Kramer Beverage, please visit www.kramerbev.com.