BP Lends Its Support to the Valor Games

CHICAGO – BP will serve as a leading corporate sponsor of this week’s Valor Games Midwest, a regional competition that invites more than 200 wounded, ill or injured veterans and active-duty service members to challenge and support each other. The games kick off Aug. 20 and run through Aug. 22.

"BP has long supported our veterans and active-duty service members," said Clive Christison, vice president of BP’s Chicago-based supply and trading organization. “We are honored to serve as a gold-level sponsor of the Valor Games and to recognize these athletes for their service and sacrifices, while continuing to demonstrate our commitment to para-athletes and the Chicago region."

The games are being presented by Illinois nonprofit organization World Sport Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Park District, U.S. Paralympics and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Events will take place at area venues including Soldier Field and the United Center. An opening-day Veterans’ Resource Expo at Soldier Field will connect military veterans, active-duty service members and their families with local educational, social services and employment networks. An estimated 500 local veterans and active-duty service members are expected to attend the expo. 

In addition, BP is partnering with World Sport Chicago to create a “Wall of Thanks” made up of handwritten thank you notes and social media posts, which will be displayed each day of the Valor Games Midwest. Supporters can send messages of thanks to those who have served using the #WallOfThanks hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Valor Games Midwest is BP’s latest sponsorship of programs for veterans and paralympic athletes. The company has also signed on to be an associate sponsor of the 2014 Warrior Games, being held Sept. 28–Oct. 4 in Colorado Springs, Colo., another paralympic-style competition for wounded, ill or injured veterans and active-duty service members.

BP America and its local BP-branded fuel retailers have been building awareness of paralympic sports in the United States through grassroots support of Paralympic Sport Clubs. Since 2011, BP-branded retailers in 13 states have donated more than $700,000 to their local Paralympic Sport Clubs. 

In 2013, the U.S. Olympic Committee recognized BP’s commitment to U.S. Paralympics with its Paralympic Amazing Impact Award, an honor given annually to organizations that raise awareness and support for the U.S. Paralympic Movement. 

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