Clear your walls for an astonishing event that easily rivals the classic Pirelli Calendars for impact, energy and drama. Sàfilo Group has created a truly unique "date-minder" project unveiled at the 2006 Special Olympics European Youth Games in Rome. This remarkable collection of photographs by world renowned photographer Stefano Sandonnini is dedicated to intellectually disabled athletes.

For years, Sàfilo has been supporting the "Opening Eyes" project in its capacity as an official supplier. "Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes" is the biggest worldwide program for eye screening dedicated to the athletes of the Special Olympics. Sàfilo supplies free optical frames and sunglasses during eyesight screenings carried out during local, national and international games.

The creation of the calendar, as envisioned by Sàfilo, focuses on humanities passion for sport and the tangible thrust of solidarity and social responsibility that motivates caring corporations to devote such tremendous energy to special projects.

Via a rich variety of iconic endorsers for Carrera and Smith sports brands, the calendar invites reflection on how anyone with the will and determination can achieve stellar goals. The pages of the calendar picture the athletes of the Special Olympics competing alongside great sporting heroes, with the same chance of grasping victory, as they push themselves to the limit while also having fun.

Famous names from the world of sport who enthusiastically gave their backing to this initiative and are pictured together with the athletes of the Special Olympics include the Formula One driver Jarno Trulli, MotoGP rider Casey Stoner, skiers Hermann Maier, Anja Paerson and Rainer Schoenfelder, canoeing champion Antonio Rossi and the Carrera Petrarca Rugby team.

"Sàfilo has been supporting the Special Olympics for years," says Samantha Tabacchi, manager of corporate communications and identity at Sàfilo. "It's a project that’s particularly dear to me. The idea for the calendar originally came about as a way of celebrating these athletes, who with their dedication and determination set an example for all of us on how it's possible to achieve our goals."

Inside the calendar is a postal order, which can be used to make a voluntary donation to the Special Olympics 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai in October 2007. Look for another special image from the calendar in the Parting Glance of 20/20’s May 2007 issue.

—James J. Spina