Stewart's Shops Returns as Sponsor of Empire State Winter Games

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- After helping to preserve the endangered Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) in 2011, Stewart's Shops will return as the first official bronze-level sponsor of the 2012 Games. The event will feature competition in sports such as alpine skiing, luge, women's ice hockey and more from Feb. 2 to 5 in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Wilmington, N.Y.

"It's terrific to have the renewed commitment and support from Stewart's Shops," said James McKenna, CEO of the Lake Placid CVB, whose organization is leading the joint local effort. "As a successful, home-grown company, they exemplify the state's athletes for whom we continue the tradition of the Games."

The annual Games were first held in 1980, several weeks after the Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games. In 2011, state budget woes cast the future of the games in doubt, but sponsorships allowed it to continue. In 2012, Stewart's will provide hot chocolate and cookies at its various locations along the Games' Torch Run leading to the opening ceremony.

Additionally, the convenience store chain's status as a bronze-level sponsor allows it the use of the Games' logo in its promotional material, placement in ESWG promotional and informational materials, venue signage, opportunity for product samplings, ski passes to Whiteface Mountain, VIP passes for bobsled rides, sponsorship of one sport and other benefits, according to the announcement.

"Community involvement is an important part of Stewart's culture, of what makes Stewart's work," said Stewart's President Gary Dake. "We are an employee- and family-owned company, and we believe that giving back to the communities we serve is the right thing to do."