U.S. Olympic skier Scott Macartney, born and raised in Redmond, has been named a Comcast “Local Hero” as part of a campaign to support the state’s Olympic hopefuls in addition to Special Olympics Washington.

“This area has got such a large number of winter athletes and Olympians of really high quality,” said Steve Kipp, Vice President of Communications for Comcast in Washington. “We thought it would be great to be able to feature those athletes in a program… and use it as an opportunity to help the athletes and Special Olympians.”

The funds raised will be collected through donations and sales of a unique commemorative pin, that can be ordered online for $10, at www. comcastlocalheroes.com with the hope that $80,000 can be raised and split between Special Olympics Washington and the state’s elite winter athletes.

Macartney has also taken a lot of time out of his busy schedule to work with his non-profit charity foundation, World Cup Dreams, founded five years ago by two former U.S. Ski Team members Bryon Friedman and Erik Schlopy.

“We raise money as athletes, for other athletes,” he explained. “One of our main goals is to get accident insurance, the equivalent of a worker’s compensation package, for everyone. That would provide them with support with all the injuries that happen in skiing… and limit the risk that we all take financially.”

With insurance costing at least $4,000 a year for and approximately 40 men and women in total to cover, “it’s not a small figure,” according to Macartney.

World Cup Dreams also donated $50,000 in scholarships last year to athletes in need.

“It’s fairly new, but already making a good impact on athletes.”