The Seahawks Kick Off "Impacting 50 Communities" Initiative With First Event

As part of commemorating the 50th season, the Seahawks will impact 50 communities throughout the Seahawks season and hosted their first event at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday.

Mar 27, 2025 at 01:17 PM

On Wednesday, 200 Safeway employees and representation from Special Olympics Washington gathered in the indoor practice facility at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center to come together for a special cause. The two groups, along with Seahawks Legends Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and current Seahawk Ernest Jones IV helped the group package 9,500 snack boxes for the Special Olympics.

The snack boxes will help to fuel the athletes in Special Olympics through their spring season.

Mary Do, CEO of Special Olympics Washington said being a part of an event with both the Seahawks and Safeway helps the athletes have a sense of belonging.

"We've got 14,000 Special Olympic athletes across the state and many of our athletes have intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities and these are folks that are the furthest from the sidelines. So when Seahawks players are coming…the Safeway employees come together, they feel like they're seen and they have a sense of belonging. What they're doing today with putting together 9,500 snack packs is incredible. It helps the [Special Olympics] organization significantly and fuels our athletes at competitions all spring season."

Seahawks Legends Avril and Bennett have worked with Safeway through their nonprofit Champions of Change and Avril said Safeway has been integral to the community.

"Since we've come to Seattle… [Safeway] has done and mean so much to the community outside of just being a grocery store. You do a lot and pour into the community."

Sara Osborne, Public and Government Affairs Director for Safeway said, "The Seahawks have always been our best partner in the community and are really supportive of us. When we just stick together, we can make so much more of an impact. The fact that they opened up the practice facility for 200 of our employees is pretty special and I think everybody feels how special that is."

Special Olympics Washington is also celebrating their 50^th year, so this event was a perfect full circle moment for the organization.

"To have Special Olympics Washington's name next to the Seahawks is a big deal. Our athletes are always asking 'Where are the Seahawks and where are the dancers.' It's huge. We've been around for 50 years like the Seahawks and we're making an incredible impact and community partners like this that are going to continue to support beyond 50 is incredibly meaningful and so important in where we are in the world right now," Do added, "Having Seahawks and Safeway show up means that they've got people beside them and behind them supporting them, whatever their ability is on and off of the playing field."

PHOTOS: Seahawks, Safeway & Special Olympics Washington Participate In "Impacting 50 Communities" Kickoff Event

The Seahawks partnered with Safeway and Special Olympics Washington for the "Impacting 50 Communities" Kickoff event which was hosted at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Volunteers from the Seahawks, Safeway and Special Olympics of Washington assembled snack packages for Special Olympics programs to use this season.

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The Seahawks partnered with Safeway for the Impacting 50 Communities Kickoff event which was hosted at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Volunteers from the Seahawks, Safeway and Special Olympics of Washington assembled snack packages for Special Olympics programs to use this season.

ROD MAR/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS