LOS ANGELES, July 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is proud to be a sponsor of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. The utility will have the largest corporate team of "Fans in the Stands" for any single event during the World Games, as well as sponsor the clean and efficient natural gas fuel for 300 buses that will transport athletes and their coaches to the different sporting venues. SoCalGas is also donating more than $100,000.

With 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches representing 165 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games – being staged in Los Angeles July 25 to August 2, 2015 – is the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. 

There will be a sea of blue SoCalGas T-shirts when more than 1,900 SoCalGas employees, their families and friends enthusiastically cheer on athletes as "Fans in the Stands" on July 25 at the USC Galen Center from 8 a.m. to noon. Team SoCalGas will also be joined by youth and advisors from four non-profit organizations including:

• Boys Republic (Private, non-sectarian school and treatment community to help troubled youth)
• Love Them All Foundation (A nonprofit organization that strives to brighten, inspire and influence the lives of youth in need)
• The Let it Be Foundation (A nonprofit organization that provides support and services to families of children diagnosed with a life threatening pediatric illness)
• Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park

And, more than 150 SoCalGas employees have signed up for multi-day volunteer roles at various venues throughout the World Games.

The natural gas buses used to transport the athletes and their coaches produce 20-30 percent less greenhouse gases than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. Clean-burning natural gas buses also produce less noise and have lower emissions. Natural gas is safe and affordable as well. As a pioneer in supporting natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology, SoCalGas actively supports the development of the NGV infrastructure, including refueling facilities. SoCalGas has an extensive NGV support program to provide information, education and support to residential and business customers that use, or would benefit from using, clean-burning natural gas as a transportation fuel.

"Special Olympics exemplifies the spirit of competition and fosters the inclusion of all people," said Jimmie Cho, senior vice president of gas operations and system integrity at SoCalGas, who is leading SoCalGas' volunteer and fundraising efforts as executive champion. "We at SoCalGas are passionate about everyone achieving their full potential. The spirit of competition challenges all of us to pursue our best."

"SoCalGas has a long history of working with Special Olympics and we are so grateful for their tremendous support through volunteer activities, donations and helping us raise awareness for our organization," said Stephanie Medina, senior vice president of community relations with Special Olympics World Games.

To learn more about the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, go to www.la2015.org.

About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.4 million consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. 

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance.

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 94,000 games and competitions throughout the year.

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.