Winter Games Wins and Winners

Our 2023 Winter Games presented by Eversource took place on Saturday, March 4th and Sunday, March 5th. Participants included 413 athletes and 88 Unified Sports® partners, supported by 650 awesome volunteers!

Due to the weather, outdoor events that were scheduled to take place both days were all held on Sunday. These included cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and alpine skiing and snowboarding. All indoor events - floor hockey, figure skating, speed skating and gymnastics - went on as scheduled.

Thanks to the efforts of our event committees, volunteers, coaches and teams, Winter Games weekend was a wonderful success and enjoyed by all! Host sites for competition were Eversource, Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort, the International Skating Center of Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney and Farmington Valley Gymnastics and More, LLC. Sponsors included:

Canning Recognized with Bud Meyers Award

John Canning, an athlete with our Special Olympics Central Shoreline local program, is this year's recipient of the Bud Meyers Award. The Award is given annually to an athlete who “inspires the best in all of us." He was presented with the Award by SOCT Interim President Craig Edmondson during the Winter Games Opening Ceremony at Eversource.

John has participated in Special Olympics for more than 30 years and earned this honor for always giving 100%,

always smiling - whether he wins a medal or ribbon, giving moral support to other athletes and demonstrating good sportsmanship.

The Bud Meyers Award was established in 1990 to honor Bud Meyers, one of the original Eversource “snowmakers” who helped create a process for making man-made snow. Even after retirement, Meyers would travel over 1,500 miles from Nebraska to Connecticut to see athletes like John enjoy competing in the snow at Winter Games.

Athletes Honored with Spirit of Life Award

Athletes who exemplify the true spirit and meaning of Special Olympics, in sports and in life, were presented with the Spirit of Life Award by WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre during our Annual Awards Dinner at The Aqua Turf Club on March 13th. They include:

Paul Kleva joined Special Olympics six years ago and it has become a big part of his life. He participates in bowling, croquet, floor hockey and his favorite sport, running, with our Windsor Locks team. Paul is also a member of the SOCT Unified Long-Distance Running Club.

Paul competed at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando in June and brought home gold and silver medals.

David Strick has been involved in our Special Olympics Mystic-Ledyard local program for 22 years, competing in athletics, bowling and croquet. David and his dad had a unique opportunity to attend our Athletics coaches training together.

David also participates in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Norwich every year and Dream Ride, where he enjoys getting together with fellow athletes for a fun-filled weekend.

Andrew McMillan has been a member of the Special Olympics Trumbull team for more than 22 years and participates in golf, bowling, floor hockey, athletics, basketball and powerlifting. Andrew's favorite sport is golf and he's competed at the National Invitational and 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey.

He donates money he earns from his job at Goodwill to fellow athletes who participate in the Penguin Plunge.

The Bethel School District is the first and only school district in Connecticut in which an elementary school, middle school and high school have all received National Unified Champion School Banner recognition for their commitment to Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement.

Mark Ferrandino, a coach at Bethel High School, accepted the Award on behalf of Bethel Middle School.

Unified athletes Sujan Kashyap and Brandon Kurtz accepted the Award on behalf of Ralph M.T. Johnson Elementary School.

Unified teammates Brandon Jay and Sophia Trzyna accepted the Award on behalf of Bethel High School. They play Unified basketball, soccer and whiffle ball.

Unified Basketball Teams, Intern Honored at Quinnipiac University

Special Olympics Connecticut athletes, coaches, parents and staff members attended the Quinnipiac vs. Fairfield University Women’s Basketball Game at Quinnipiac University on March 5th. Highlights of the event included teammates from Special Olympics Cheshire and Special Olympics Hartford playing a Unified basketball exhibition game at half-time and an award presentation.

During the game, longtime SOCT supporter Gene Singer presented the Eugene Singer, CPA Award to Charlie Lehourites, a Quinnipiac University student who interns with us in our Finance Department.

The Eugene Singer, CPA Award is presented annually to a Quinnipiac University intern who demonstrates outstanding skills and dedication to supporting our organization's work and mission.

Teammates from Enfield High School Advocate for Inclusion on Capitol Hill

Enfield High School Unified Sports® teammates Shaelyn O'Farrell and Lily Bellucci - supported by their coach Armando Ramos, Shaelyn's mom Sara Levinson and Lily's uncle Harry Bellucci - represented Special Olympics Connecticut during Special Olympics' Annual Capitol Hill Day event in Washington D.C., February 14th.

The group met with staff from the offices of Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Jahana Hayes, Rep. Jim Himes and Rep. John Larson to share their Special Olympics experiences and the impact that participating in Unified Sports® has had in their lives and to ask for continued Federal funding to support Special Olympics' education and health programs.

Middletown, Shoreline Penguin Plungers Get Soaked for Special Olympics

Penguin Plunge season is underway! Our Middletown Penguin Plunge took place on a snowy Saturday, February 25th, at the Polish Falcon's Nest #519. Among the 150 participants were Athletes Hector Sanchez, Chris Piotrowski and Ashley Lavoie who joined supporters in jumping into the chilly waters that day to raise $59,000 for Special Olympics. Friends from iHeart Radio, including Renee DiNino, got the crowd pumped up and cheered participants on from the sidelines.

On Sunday, March 5th, first-time Penguin and athlete Abby Snyder and actor Jesse Metcalfe were among those who dashed into the ocean during our Shoreline Penguin Plunge at its new location, Eastern Point Beach in Groton. Our Shoreline Plunge had 130 participants and raised $38,000. Thanks to event sponsors The Prospect Theater of Ridgefield, The Day, Chelsea Gorton Bank, Groton Utilities, iHeart Radio and Q105FM.

Join us at an upcoming Penguin Plunge:

Brookfield Penguin Plunge at Brookfield Town Beach, 460 Candlewood Road, Brookfield - Saturday, March 18th 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register here.

Tolland Penguin Plunge at Crandall Park, 120 Cider Mill Road, Tolland - Saturday, March 25th, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register here.

Monroe Plunge at the Park at Great Hollow Lake (Wolfe Park), 454 DOC Silverstone Drive, Monroe - Saturday, April 1st, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.

Fairfield Penguin Plunge at Jennings Beach, 880 S. Benson Road, Fairfield - Saturday, April 15th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.

Law Enforcement Officers, Departments Honored For Funds Raised

Officers from across the state gathered for our Law Enforcement Torch Run® Kick-off Event hosted by Foxwoods Resort Casino on February 21st. Awards presented to outstanding law enforcement volunteers and departments include:

Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame Award/Induction - Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy of the Bristol Police Department, posthumously

The Connecticut Police Chief’s Association Award - Monroe Police Department

Joel Kent Award - Branford Police Department

Connecticut Torch Run Council Award - Westbrook Elks

The Walter Greene Connecticut State Police Award - Connecticut State Police, Troop C

The Department of Corrections Award - York Correctional Institution

The IACLEA Award - Fairfield University Department of Public Safety

Merchandise Sales Award - Waterbury Police Department

Adopt-A-Mile Sales Award - Canton Police Department

In addition, the top ten fundraising departments of 2022 were announced. These departments will be listed on the 2023 Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run t-shirt in recognition of their efforts:

1. Monroe Police Department – raised $39,730

2. Branford Police Department – $38,832

3. Connecticut State Police – $30,496

4. Brookfield Police Department – $24,215

5. Rocky Hill Police Department – $21,646

6. Fairfield University Department of Public Safety – $21,362

7. Bristol Police Department – $20,019

8. Fairfield Police Department – $19,597

9. York Correctional Institution – $18,840

10. Avon Police Department – $17,567

This year's Torch Run will take place May 31st through June 2nd. Learn more about the Torch Run and events for SOCT organized by members of law enforcement here.

MedFest Appointments for Athletes Available Now

Special Olympics Connecticut is partnering with Hartford HealthCare to offer our 2023 Spring MedFest event at the Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University on Saturday, April 22nd, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

During the event, athletes will receive the sports physical exam that is required to participate in Special Olympics - including training for our upcoming Summer Games!

Appointments must be made in advance by emailing Emily Pitney at emilyp@soct.org or Sue Mohr at susanm@soct.org.

The Champions Movie is Here!

The wait is over! "Champions" is now in theaters.

Bringing actors together with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), "Champions" is the heartwarming story of a minor-league basketball coach, played by Woody Harrelson, who helps take a team of Special Olympics athletes further than they ever imagined!

We're thrilled to see Special Olympics athletes from Programs around North America on the big screen and hope you will go see Champions today! We recommend going to the website for The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield (www.prospectortheater.org/) for showtimes and tickets!

Noteworthy News

SOCT Athletes Stephen Emblidge and Will Geanuracos and Coach Heather Minervini came together with teams from The Hotchkiss School and Choate Rosemary Hall for a day of Unified swimming and friendship. Everyone had a great time!

Thanks to Board Member Keith Moon for making the event possible.

Friends with Gymnastics Revolution donated $7,671, which they raised at their Team Challenge regional competition, February 3rd - 5th. They plan to hold bake sales to reach their goal of $8,000!

SOCT Athletes Addison Penna, Nadia Zafar and Andrea DeBernbardo attended the Team Challenge to thank donors and cheer on the gymnasts!

Athlete and Global Messenger Logan Rosenberg (and her dad) visited NBC Connecticut's Bob Maxon, Brenda Mulero and Shannon Miller to present a token of appreciation for their and their colleagues' continued support.

NBC Connecticut / Telemundo Connecticut is a Special Olympics Connecticut Partner Sponsor and Media Partner.

Free Resources to Care for Loved Ones

To show our appreciation for all you’ve done for Special Olympics Connecticut, we would like to offer you something in return. Something we hope will have a positive impact on you and your family. If you’re like many people, creating or updating your will, trust and other important documents is something that often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But planning can help you care for your loved ones and offer significant peace of mind. And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

We hope our free publications will help you get started. Some of the information available includes:

Considerations for taking care of a loved one with special needs, parents or elder family members
Tips for choosing an executor
Creating an Advance Care Directive
Why you need a digital estate plan

You’ll find a complete list of free publications here.

Thank you to our Partner Sponsors:

Thank you to our Year-Round Suppliers:

We welcome your feedback and contributions.