It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. I know everybody's getting geared up for the big old holiday 4th of July weekend, but I need to get you geared up for something that's going to take place in 2026. It is the Special Olympics USA Games, but we also want to get you geared up with a great conversation with someone who is helping to present such a thing, has a great connection with Special Olympics. It is Holly O'Neal, president of Consumer Retail and Preferred, Bank of America Executive Management Team, Advisory Board, Special Olympics in Massachusetts. Holly, I can go on forever.
Is that enough? That's plenty. Thanks, JR. Appreciate it. Absolutely, Holly.
How are you ahead of this holiday? I'm great ahead of the 4th of July holiday and really looking forward to it, but not as much as I'm looking forward to the Special Olympics next year. Absolutely.
So before we even get to next year, before we hit that fast forward button, tell us about this relationship between BOA and Special Olympics. Yeah, it's great.
So we are currently on a one-year countdown to the 2026 USA Games for Special Olympics in Minneapolis. And we just recently announced a $5 million grant to the Special Olympics that they will use to empower their athletes for those games.
So it's a three-year grant. We have had a multi-decade relationship with the Special Olympics that we are super excited about and continue to be committed to.
So the three-year grant's going to help them support their infrastructure and really growth of their leadership in the athletic space, both locally as well. as nationally and globally. Holly O'Neill is here with us from Bank of America. Why is this an initiative that Bank of America is involved in? Why is this something, why is Special Olympics something that you're involved in, Holly?
Yeah, so, you know, I've been involved with Special Olympics since I was a teenager, a lifeguard, and met an athlete at the pool where I was working and became really close with her. And, you know, I think from a young age, I saw the power of inclusion firsthand. And that really has stuck with me. And I, you know, I really believe that. you know when everyone has the skills and opportunities to reach whatever their full potential is we all win you know organizations schools workplaces and ultimately our communities so um you know the power of inclusion is really strong here and there's no More enjoyable way to do that than through sports.
Everyone loves sports, and I think Special Olympics really hits on both of those. Absolutely.
I can certainly understand. I've worked with Special Olympics, it feels like, for decades now, to the college stores.
So I certainly appreciate your work. And we know sports is a great way to bring people together, Holly. What are some other ways that BOA is involved in the world of sports?
So we have many partnerships with the most iconic brands in sports.
So the Masters, FIFA, and the world of sports, whether it's Special Olympics, FIFA, or the Masters, They all share a vision for excellence and achievement in their spaces. And that enables us to drive growth, deepen the relationships with our clients, and really partner in our communities wherever they are.
So, those partnerships are incredibly important to us. And as I said, there's no better way than. Unite than through sports. And I think. That is where the journey of achievement is front and center.
Sports unite us, whether it's Special Olympics, the Masters, FIFA, whatever it is.
So we're really excited about that. And another thing that we recently did in our portfolio was Golf With Us clinics, which Opens the door and the sport of golf to kids across the country and really shows them what the art of the possible is.
So we're doing things all the time in this space. And those are just a few examples. No, some great examples. Talk about a few. Those are great examples.
Holly O'Neill is here with us on the JR Sport Reef Show from Bank of America. When we think about what we can expect next year for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, that's a year away. But there are always so many Special Olympic events that go on year-round, city to city, state to state. I can sit here and tell stories and experiences. What would you tell all of our listeners, whether they're in California, Massachusetts, Florida, here in Georgia with me?
What would you tell people about getting involved with Special Olympics? Yeah, I would say get involved at the local level. There are amazing Special Olympics organizations in. every state and this really is a grassroots organization locally in every town in every state there are great opportunities to volunteer as a coach or to just volunteer at an event locally and i'll tell you i've participated in several with my own kids and there is no more rewarding of a day than cheering those athletes on.
So there are a whole host of levels. You can organize, you can volunteer, and you really do it at the local level.
So I think that's a great aspect as well.
Now we got plenty of sports fans listening all over North America, interested in the Lakers and free agency, but I think it's also worth their while to get invested in everything going on locally as well. Holly, please tell everybody where they can find out more information about what you guys are doing at Bank of America, Special Olympics USA Games. Fill us in. Yeah, so I think the Special Olympics USA game, go out to the Special Olympics site. They have all the information.
It will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 20th through 26th.
So tune in and watch if you're not able to attend.
So I think that is a great way to... to get involved. And for Bank of America, you can look us up at vove.com. And we have plenty of information on our Golf With Us program and the other partnerships that we have. Hey, Holly, I want to know about all the cool stuff you guys got going on.
The JR Sport Brief has to make an appearance and pick up all the great things y'all are doing, okay? Love it. Thanks, JR. Appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Don't work too hard over the weekend. Take a couple days off, okay? I'll try. I'll try.
