Press release
United Raises Airline Miles for Special Olympics During National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month
Airline's Miles on a Mission SM platform encourages loyalty customers to donate miles to help athletes fly and compete in competitions across the country and
About this update from United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Airline's Miles on a Mission SM platform encourages loyalty customers to donate miles to help athletes fly and compete in competitions across the country and around the world\nUnited's broader partnership with Special Olympics also includes the employment of athletes in airports across the country as part of its growing Special Olympics Service Ambassador Program \nCHICAGO, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United is raising airline miles for Special Olympics during National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month to help athletes fly to trainings and competitions across the country and around the world.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nDuring October, the airline's industry-leading crowdsourcing program, Miles on a Mission, will spotlight Special Olympics and encourage loyalty program members to donate unused miles for a charitable cause. Last year, Special Olympics athletes participated in over 100,000 games, trainings and competitions.\nUnited's long-standing partnership with Special Olympics extends beyond raising miles – the airline also sponsors Special Olympics Plane Pull® competitions, local volunteer events and Special Olympics World Games. In 2019, United launched the Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) Program, where Special Olympics athletes work in airports as part-time employees, welcoming United customers and helping them find check-in kiosks, where to drop bags and how to find TSA PreCheck lines. There are currently 18 SOSAs working at United's hubs in Chicago, Houston, Denver and Washington, D.C.\n\"At United, we strive to create an environment where acceptance and appreciation of everyone is the norm,\" said Helon Hammond, VP of Global Learning, People & Community Impact for United. \"We're proud to partner with Special Olympics not only to raise miles to support athletes and teams in competition, but through volunteer events and our SOSA program to empower all individuals with intellectual disabilities.\" \nDonated miles help support Special Olympics' travel across the globe. Since 2017, United has contributed more than $8.5 million in travel and cash to support Special Olympics' athletes. These events foster inclusive and engaging experiences and break down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities.\n\"The travel we receive through our partnership with United has allowed hundreds of athletes, coaches...