Athletes to Compete at Summer Games Presented by Pratt & Whitney, June 1st and 2nd

Special Olympics Connecticut will host its 2024 Summer Games presented by Pratt & Whitney on Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd. An Opening Ceremony will kick off the weekend on Friday, May 31st. All are welcome!

The Opening Ceremony will take place at Southern Connecticut State University's Jess Dow Field on Friday at 6:30 p.m. It will feature the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and 1500M race.

Summer Games track & field and swimming competition will take place at Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street in New Haven, throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday.

Cycling competition will be held at Yale West Campus, 100 West Campus Drive in Orange, on Saturday.

Tennis and Soccer competition will go on at Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, on Sunday.

Healthy Athletes® offerings will include:

FUNfitness, Fit Feet, Health Promotion, Healthy Hearing, Special Smiles and Strong Minds at Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FUNfitness, Fit Feet, Health Promotion, Special Smiles and Strong Minds at Southern Connecticut State University on Sunday, 9 a.m. - noon/2 p.m.

Healthy Habits Education: Hydration at Yale West Campus on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Summer Games will offer athletes of all abilities from across the state the opportunity to compete in sports with their peers and demonstrate their skills and speed after training with their coaches and teammates for a season. This year's Summer Games sponsors are:

Officers Set to Participate in Law Enforcement Torch Run, May 29th, 30th and 31st

Officers will carry the "Flame of Hope" across the state on foot, bike and motorcycle to honor our athletes and promote inclusion for people of all abilities during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, May 29th, 30th and 31st.

Among the participants will be officers from municipal departments and correction facilities, as well as military police and Federal employees, Connecticut State Police and college and university public safety officers. Special Olympics athletes will join in the Run in select communities.

Torch Run rallies will be held at Whelan Engineering and Foxwoods Resort Casino on Wednesday, May 29th and Blue Back Square in West Hartford on Thursday, May 30th beginning around 5 p.m. each day. Officers will run a "Final Leg" during the Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Southern Connecticut State University's Jess Dow Field on Friday, May 31st where they will light a large cauldron and celebrate the start of the Games.

All are encouraged to cheer on and support their local officers during the three-day Run and by attending fundraisers they host throughout the year to benefit our athletes. Find out where, when and how here.

Sponsor Spotlight: Knights of Columbus

While the Knights of Columbus is our newest Partner Sponsor, members of the organization have been engaged and impactful supporters of Special Olympics since 1968.

We asked Joe Rahtelli, Connecticut State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus, about the Knights' enduring partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut and what supporting our athletes means to him.

Who are the Knights of Columbus and what is the mission/focus of your organization?

I believe the focus of our organization is charity, to perform acts of kindness for those less fortunate and to support our faith, through our parishes and priests.

Why does the Knights of Columbus support Special Olympics Connecticut and remain a sponsor?

One of our core beliefs is the respect for life. Supporting Special Olympics here in Connecticut allows us to accomplish this in a major way. It allows us to do so much for people with intellectual disabilities.

How does the Knights of Columbus raise money to become a Special Olympics Connecticut sponsor?

Our local councils organize many activities that raise money for Special Olympics but the main fundraiser is our Tootsie Roll program. Brother Knights spend countless hours in public settings offering Tootsie Rolls in exchange for donations to support those with intellectual disabilities. This one program alone raises tens of thousands of dollars for Special Olympics Connecticut.

How does it make you feel to see and interact with the athletes you are helping?

It is no surprise that we get more (than we give) out of the interaction with this very special group of friendly, sincere, caring, positive, joyful individuals. Our interaction with them transfers all those wonderful traits to us. The world would indeed be a better place if we lived our lives more like them.

What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Special Olympics Connecticut?

The joy and happiness expressed by the individuals with whom we interact.

What would you tell those in other organizations and businesses who may be considering getting involved with Special Olympics Connecticut?

There is no organization more deserving of their time, talent and treasure.

Would you share a memorable moment from a Special Olympics Connecticut event?

One of my most treasured moments has been working the Olympics Town tent at Summer Games; especially when I have brought teens with me to volunteer. To experience, and watch the teens interact with the athletes, is something you never forget and always wish to return to time and time again.

What is special about the photo above?

The picture is from the Summer Games in 2013. My then-teenage son is the fifth from the right. We still reminisce about the wonderful times we spent at Summer Games.

Our 2023 annual report provides an overview of who we are, what we do and who supports us. You can view it on our website here.

Thank you to our friends at WORX for designing it. WORX is a longtime partner and Special Olympics Connecticut Year-Round Supplier.

Unified Sports® High School, Middle School Teammates Attend Annual Awards Banquet

The 20th Annual Special Olympics Unified Sports® Awards Banquet took place at The Aqua Turf Club on Monday, April 29th. Honorees included an outstanding athlete and Unified partner from each school that offers a Special Olympics Unified Sports® program, winners of a Unified Sports® essay contest and outstanding Unified schools and coaches:

Derby High School - Ann Malafronte Rookie School of the Year

Albert D. Griswold Middle School, Rocky Hill - The Michaels Cup, Middle School

Coginchaug Regional High School, Durham - The Michaels Cup, High School

Ernie Goodwin/Amity Regional High School, Woodbridge - Paul D. Mengold Athletic Director of the Year

Daniel Jennings/Westbrook Middle School - The George Synnott Unified Sports® Middle School Coach Award

Joe Prignano/Rockville High School, Vernon - The George Synnott Unified Sports® High School Coach Award

Beau Doherty/Retired President, Special Olympics Connecticut - The Beau Doherty-Mike Savage Teammate Award

Matt Necci/Special Olympics Connecticut Board President - Special Appreciation

Presenting Sponsors of the Special Olympics Unified Sports® program in schools include:

Athletes Reel in Fund Times and Big Fish at Gemstone Farm

Valerie Jensen and friends at Gemstone Farm of Wilton hosted a Unified fishing tournament for Special Olympics on April 20th. Special Olympics athletes were paired up with officers from the Ridgefield and Woodbridge Police Departments and National Guard for a contest to catch the biggest fish! The athletes also were treated to a tour of the Farm and delicious lunch.

University of Hartford students enrolled in Dr. Susan Cardillo's Field Production class spent their semester filming and producing a documentary entitled "Sport that Keeps on Giving: Stories of Special Olympics CT." They conducted interviews with athletes, staff members, Healthy Athletes clinicians and coaches at the on-campus studio and at our Winter Games. Segments highlight our organization's history, Winter Games, Unified Sports®, Volunteers and Healthy Athletes®. Watch the documentary here.

Global Messengers Gather for Spring Athlete Leadership Training Day

More than 100 Global Messengers, mentors and special guests attended a spring Athlete Leadership Training Day at the University of Saint Joseph on May 4th.

Javier Rodríguez from NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut was the Keynote Speaker. Presenters also included Healthy Athletes® FUNfitness Clinical Director and Professor at Quinnipiac University Julie Booth and University of Hartford students Ciara Phillips, Taylor DePaolo-Daily, Nathan Shearer and Amanda Simmons who were involved in producing a 33-minute documentary about Special Olympics Connecticut.

Global Messenger Brian Drexler presented a breakout session to his peers about storytelling, Connecticut State Police officers Detective Samantha Haynes, Trooper Geycel Muniz and Trooper Stephanie Cortes educated the group about the BMBH (Bring Me Back Home) program and Detective Samantha Haynes and Trooper First Class James White, the Connecticut Statewide DARE Coordinator, presented a session on social media awareness. Jona Shook from Infinity Music Therapy Services led the group in a drum circle to "foster the feeling of community through shared rhythms." It was a day of learning, inspiration, sharing, fun and friendship.

Noteworthy News

Global Messengers Vincent Acquaotta and Albert Lognin, along with Special Olympics CT's Mike Mason and Katie Dennett, attended the Knights of Columbus State Convention to receive a generous check and express gratitude for the Knights' dedication and support for our athletes.

Vincent and Albert also spoke about how Special Olympics has changed their lives for the better!

Thanks to Adam Kilpatrick, a dedicated volunteer for more than 30 years, we received a generous grant from his employer, New York Life. Athletes and staff recently visited the New York Life Manhattan General Office for a check presentation and tour. New York Life's Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations, which are championed by New York Life agents and employees.

More than 150 young athletes from seven schools participated in a Special Olympics Unified Sports® Elementary Skills Day on April 27th. The event was hosted by Conard High School of West Hartford.

Special Olympics Connecticut CEO Mike Mason was on hand to cheer on the the teams and spend time with new friends from Cherry Brook Primary School along with volunteers from the Conard High School baseball team.

Athletes gathered at the Farmington Polo Club to participate in the first session of our Equine Skills Program this season on May 7th.

They learned safe practices for grooming, handling and walking the horses from resident equine expert Heather Souto and her kind, helpful volunteers. The athletes were also delighted to meet and spend time wi three baby goats!

University of Connecticut students hosted and volunteered at our HUSKY Soccer Qualifier on the Storrs campus, April 27th. More than 50 members of the University's Special Olympics (SO) College Club and UConn Women's Soccer players ran the event and served as referees.

Representative Christie Carpino invited Global Messengers Angie D'Amico, Brett Glaser, Carly Shwartz, Karla Ferrer, Jake Segla, John Frazier and Shawn Reilly to visit the Capitol in Hartford and recognized them and Special Olympics Connecticut while addressing senators and representatives in the House chamber on April 18th.

Public relations students from the University of Hartford and their professor, Sarah Miner, put together a campaign to help bring greater awareness to Special Olympics Connecticut and inform a larger audience about ways to get involved. The students also organized and promoted an event on campus to premiere a student-produced documentary all about Special Olympics Connecticut.

Professor Donna Coelho and the students in her Capstone Course for Marketing at Western Connecticut State University worked all semester on reports that presented their research findings, recommendations and strategies to enhance our communications efforts.

We're excited to share the bright ideas and creative content they developed to help share the power of Special Olympics and joy of inclusion!

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:

Visit soct.org.