Surpassing a previous world record set in August 1999, ShopKo suppliers, friends and employees today raised $2,508,498 in the 2000 ShopKo Charity Golf Classic. Supporting Special Olympics programs in 19 states, today's total exceeds last years' $2,041,776 by nearly a half million dollars. Approximately 1,700 golfers participated in the event, which was held on eleven Green Bay area golf courses. The ShopKo Charity Golf Classic is now the world's largest one-day fundraising event for Special Olympics.

Following the golf classic, ShopKo chairman, president and chief executive officer William Podany praised ShopKo suppliers who provided financial support. "Because of your generosity and caring, you make the dreams of thousands of Special Olympics athletes come true," Podany said. "We are extremely proud to be your partners in business, and in support of these amazing men and women."

In addition to ShopKo suppliers from across the country and around the world, Special Olympics athletes and celebrity friends participated in the 2000 ShopKo Charity Golf Classic. Celebrity golfers included: Heisman Trophy Winner Herschel Walker, Baseball Hall of Fame's Jim Palmer, Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Jansen, U.S. Astronaut Jerry Linenger, Miss USA Lynette Cole, Special Olympics President and Chief Executive Officer Timothy Shriver, and Special Olympics Athlete Loretta Claiborne, whose life story was the subject of a Disney movie earlier this year.

Shriver congratulated ShopKo and its suppliers. "Athletes throughout the Special Olympics movement will benefit from the life-changing power of ShopKo's support. This major fundraiser will inspire greatness in Special Olympics athletes by helping them experience the thrill of international competition as well as year-round sports training in their own hometowns.

The funds raised at the 2000 ShopKo Charity Golf Classic will be distributed to Special Olympics programs in the 19 states where ShopKo has stores, based on the number of stores in each state. Special Olympics programs will receive funding in California, Colorado, Illinois, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

ShopKo Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., operates 333 retail stores in 22 states, primarily in the Midwest, Western Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail operations include 162 specialty discount stores operating under the ShopKo name in mid-sized and larger cities and 171 Pamida discount stores in smaller, rural communities. For more information about ShopKo or Pamida, visit our web site at www.shopko.com

Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. One million athletes in more than 160 countries train and compete in 25 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics gives people with mental retardation continual opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts, and friendship with their own families.

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