Contest Becomes an Act of Charity

Diane Pucin [Dec. 6] wrote of the sticky situation faced by Airtouch Cellular at the John Wooden Classic when Keith Thompson almost won $100,000 in the halftime shootout they sponsored. With a noisy crowd threatening to become hostile, Airtouch decided to give Thompson a consolation prize of $25,000.

Airtouch was not required to give any money to Special Olympics Southern California, the designated charity for the shootout. Demonstrating what I call real class, the Airtouch folks also contributed $25,000 to Special Olympics.

RICHARD L. VAN KIRK

President and CEO, Special

Olympics, Southern California