Special Olympics Advocates for Continued Federal Funding

Off-road racer Edwin Hammond Meredith supports the work of several charitable organizations. In addition to fostering rescue animals, Edwin Hammond Meredith has previously volunteered with his local Boys and Girls Club and the Special Olympics.

Since the 1960s, the Special Olympics has provided athletes with disabilities the opportunity to participate in competitive group and individual games. For more than a decade, the Special Olympics has helped schools across America develop and expand inclusive sports programs through the federally funded initiative United Schools.

Approximately 10 percent of the Special Olympics’ operating budget is funded by the U.S. government. In 2019, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos proposed cutting Special Olympics’ funding from the budget. After bipartisan dissent, the funding remained intact for the 2020 fiscal year.

In light of this, representatives from the Special Olympics visited Congress in early 2020 to share the importance of funding United Schools. The program significantly improves the lives of young people with disabilities by providing them with opportunities to engage meaningfully with their peers. The president’s latest budget included full funding for the program.

Puma Launches Collaboration with Public Enemy

In addition to his love of outdoor activities such as snowboarding, scuba diving, and stand up paddleboarding, professional trophy spec driver Edwin Hammond Meredith spends his free time listening to hip hop music. Edwin Hammond Meredith cites iconic rapper Chuck D and his group Public Enemy as his favorite rap artists.

In early 2020, Puma revealed the results of a design collaboration between the sneaker company and Public Enemy. The group has had ties to Puma for most of its existence, as members frequently wore the German company’s shoes on stage.

The design marks the 30th anniversary of the group’s legendary record, Fear of Black Planet. The shoes feature the Public Enemy logo, and a silhouette of a man centered in the crosshairs. Iconic lyrics such as “Fight the Power” and “Fear of a Black Planet” also adorn the shoes. The Puma X Public Enemy collection will make its debut in stores in the spring of 2020.