By Amy - January 1, 2023

Touching the heart by lighting the Special Olympics torch

Publix Serves

From Jan. 11 through 22, you and our customers can donate to Special Olympics.

For 30 years, you and our customers have helped people with intellectual differences experience the life-changing power and joy of sports through our Special Olympics register campaign. Last year’s Light the Torch campaign raised nearly $4.5 million, bringing our total contribution since 1993 to almost $65 million. These contributions help give athletes the opportunity to train and compete free of cost.

By adding $1, $5, $10 or another amount of your choosing to your purchase, you and our customers also receive coupons for savings on select products.

This past June, several of our associates competed in the Special Olympics USA games in Orlando, Florida. Here are some of our athletes.

Atlanta Division

  • Custodian Susan Buter, #598, Madison, Alabama, won a bronze medal in level 2 unified golf.
  • Front Service Clerk Earl (BJ) Byrd, #1025, Montgomery, Alabama, earned a gold medal in the 100-yard backstroke.
  • Cashier Justin Murphy, #1294, Auburn, Alabama, competed in powerlifting and finished with a bronze medal in the dead lift.

Charlotte Division

  • Front Service Clerk Matthew Drumright, #1021, Brentwood, Tennessee, won a gold medal in level 3 unified golf.
  • Front Service Clerk Kylie MacFarland, #1055, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, won a bronze medal in tennis.
  • Front Service Clerk Eric Wilson, #160, Franklin, Tennessee, finished in 5th place in level 2 unified golf.

Jacksonville Division

  • Front Service Clerk Sarah Appleton, #631, Jacksonville, Florida, earned a gold medal in the 100-yard backstroke.
  • Front Service Clerk Noah Garbo, #383, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, earned a gold medal in both the 50-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle.
  • Customer Service Staff Tim Hodgins, #887, Tallahassee, Florida, competed in bowling and finished with a bronze medal.

Lakeland Division

  • Front Service Clerk Mitchell Albenzio, #1341, Palm Harbor, Florida; Front Service Clerk Edwin Bannis, #1329, Clearwater, Florida; and Front Service Clerk Billy Jones, #1300, Clearwater, Florida, won 3 soccer games with their team, the Pinellas Tigers.
  • Front Service Clerk Wade Graves, #1132, Brooksville, Florida, competed in equestrian and earned a gold medal in Western horsemanship.

Miami Division

  • Produce/Floral Clerk Dennis Andra, #760, Cocoa, Florida, and Customer Service Team Leader Matthew Smith, #760, Cocoa, Florida, competed in volleyball and won a preliminary match against the Texas team.
  • Front Service Clerk Eric Friedberg, #294, North Lauderdale, Florida, competed in bowling and finished in 4th place.
  • Front Service Clerk Paul Roger, #861, Deerfield Beach, Florida, competed in the 500-yard freestyle and earned a gold medal.
  • Front Service Clerk Chelsea Warren, #240, Vero Beach, Florida, competed in bowling and finished in 8th place.