Unified Sports® Holiday Classic - Catch the Action, Feel the Joy, November 18th & 19th | |
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Forty Unified basketball teams, 14 volleyball teams, 38 powerlifters and close to 1,300 bowlers are ready to compete at this year's Unified Sports® Holiday Classic Presented by the Connecticut Elks Association and set for Saturday, November 18th and Sunday, November 19th.
Sports and locations will include bowling at Bowlero Lanes, Milford and AMF Circle Lanes, East Haven, Unified Sports® basketball at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, powerlifting at Gleason Performance Training in Derby and Unified Sports® volleyball at Hamden Hall Beckerman Athletic Center in Hamden. The Special Olympics Unified Sports program brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to promote acceptance, opportunity and inclusion for all.
Healthy Athletes® offerings will include Special Smiles (dental screenings) at our volleyball venue on Saturday and basketball venue on Sunday and Strong Minds (activities that promote positive thinking, stress release and connecting with others) at basketball both days.
For the schedule, click here. In addition to the Connecticut Elks, Unified Sports® Holiday Classic sponsors include:
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Local Law Enforcement Officers Attend National Conference in Chicago,
Celebrate $1 Billion Raised for Special Olympics
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A group representing Special Olympics Connecticut, led by our CEO Mike Mason and SOCT's Director of Special Events Amy Zdanowski, and including nine dedicated law enforcement officers, participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Chicago from October 28th to 30th. This team included Lieutenant Brian Weir, Chief Christopher Chute, Dispatcher Ellen Jamaitius, Central Region Director Kelly Walsh, Officer Kevin Wells, Officer Lorin Webber, Officer Nicole Theriault, Detective Samantha Hayes, and Sergeant William Chapman.
The event kicked off with the 5K run, drawing an overwhelming number of participants from all over the world, symbolizing their commitment to the shared cause. Attendees had the opportunity to listen to the Founder of the Torch Run and take part in multiple sessions throughout the weekend, providing a platform for diving into topics relevant to their field. Officers also actively participated in social activities, strengthening connections with their peers. The combination of the 5K, informative sessions, and social engagement contributed to a well-rounded and impactful conference experience for all involved.
We express gratitude for the dedication exhibited by our team members who participated in the Conference, while also acknowledging the commitment of the law enforcement officers who are the backbone of this event.
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Special Olympics Connecticut celebrates the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) initiative for Special Olympics reaching a significant fundraising milestone of raising more than 1 billion US dollars for the Special Olympics movement since its inception in 1981.
For 42 years, over 100,000 men and women in law enforcement have been the single largest fundraisers for Special Olympics, holding various events including Penguin Plunges, Plane Pulls® and Tip-A-Cop® events to raise funds and awareness globally for Special Olympics programs.
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All local funds collected directly support Special Olympics Connecticut.The Torch Run engages law enforcement officers, employees, and volunteers worldwide to champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).
“What started in 1981 as a flicker of hope for one of the most marginalized populations in the world–has now become a roaring flame of stability for Special Olympics worldwide,”said Chief Richard LaMunyon, Founder of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.”
He added, “Hundreds of athletes filled the stands at South High School, packing it to capacity. We reserved a special spot in the front row for Special Olympics’Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. After the parade of athletes, officers made their grand entrance into the stadium. They arrived on motorcycles, in police cars, and marched in formation as I arrived in a helicopter that touched down on the 50-yard line of the football stadium. From there, I walked over to join the procession of officers carrying the flame. As I glanced at Mrs. Shriver, I could tell that we had left a lasting impression. She said, Chief, ‘let’s do it."
That was the official start of LETR’s global movement for inclusion.
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Cella Joins Athlete Leadership Team
Meet Nick, Our Newest Global Messenger
"My name is Nicholas Cella and I am from Rocky Hill Connecticut. I am 21 years old and have attended Rocky Hill Schools since I was 3 years old and have just graduated from the Dream Academy. I have a brother and a sister and my rescue dog Louie.
I have participated in a variety of programs including Best Buddies, Challenger Baseball, Royal Blues Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Chamber Choir. In addition, I have been a participant in Unified Sports since 2006.
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I also love to sing, hang out with friends, and I love to play the piano for everybody who enjoys the joy of music all around. My favorite sports I enjoy are playing baseball, basketball, and any other kind of sports.
When I was involved with Unified Sports® (at Rocky Hill High School), I made new friends of all abilities and it was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had. I would like to continue on this path with Special Olympics."
Update: Nick is currently participating in bowling with our Special Olympics Wethersfield Local Program. He will compete at our Unified Sports® Holiday Classic with his team and we wish him the best of luck!
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Unified Sports® Youth Leadership Summit | |
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More than 400 Unified Sports teammates and their coaches from schools across the state came together to learn, share and gain inspiration at our Unified Champions Schools Youth Leadership Summit hosted by Rocky Hill High School on November 1st.
Speakers included Entrepreneur Collette DiVitto, Owner of Colletty's Cookies; Motivational Speaker A'ric Jackson; National Youth Ambassadors James Badeau and Freddy Blum from Oxford High School and Rocky Hill High School Principal John Fote. Students who are members of the Youth Activation Council helped organize the event, which would not be possible without support from the program's generous sponsors.
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Our annual event to honor members of the Special Olympics Connecticut Champion's Society was held at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury on October 25th.
In addition to Champion's Society members, guests included Loretta Claiborne, Chief Inspiration Officer, Special Olympics International; Eva Gazova, National Director, Special Olympics Slovakia and David Evangelista, Regional President & Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia. (Special Olympics Connecticut and Special Olympics Slovakia are partners in providing a daycare and programming for young refugees with intellectual disabilities from the Ukraine.)
Champion's Society Members have generously made a planned gift to help ensure that our organization will have the resources necessary to provide future generations of athletes with opportunities to participate in inclusive sports and receive quality healthcare. To find out more about joining our Champion's Society, email specialolympicsct@soct.org.
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Eva Gazova, National Director of Special Olympics Slovakia; David Evangelista, President & Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Loretta Claiborne, Chief Inspiration Officer and Vice Chair of the Board for Special Olympics International and Mike Mason, Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO were speakers during a school-wide assembly at The Hotchkiss School on October 26th.
They spoke about the life-changing impact of Special Olympics Connecticut and Special Olympics Slovakia's united efforts to assist children with intellectual disabilities from the Ukraine.
Through a student fundraising Swimathon organized by Keith Moon, Faculty Member at the Hotchkiss School of Lakeville, Connecticut and SOCT Board Member, in conjunction with the leadership of Special Olympics Connecticut, the Dream Day Care Center in Bratislava, Slovakia opened one year ago, in October of 2022. The Center provides care for Ukrainian refugee children with special needs who were forced to leave their homes since the Russian offensive against Ukraine began.
Quisha Lee, a Hotchkiss Student who created the photo exhibit featuring Special Olympics athletes entitled "Soaring Souls", Special Olympics Board Chair Matt Necci and SOCT Global Messenger Natasha Cole also participated in the assembly.
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Coach Kevin Grimes and members of our Unified Long-Distance Running Team participated in the Marine Corps Marathon 10K in Washington, D.C. on October 27th. | |  |
Members of our Board of Directors held a business and planning meeting at Foxwoods Resort Casino on October 21st. We are grateful for Board Members' dedication and leadership, which keeps our organization strong and helps our athletes enjoy healthy, active lives! | | |
Nick D'Ambrosia, President of N & D Sports, provided athletes with our Special Olympics North Haven Local Program the opportunity to attend the Yale vs. Columbia football game at the Yale Bowl on November 4th. | | |
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Global Messengers Albert Lognin and Justin Riker, along with SOCT's Sharon Rozum, visited friends at KBE Building Corporation to thank them for sponsoring the fishing tournament at Dream Ride and our Unified Sports® Fall Festival.
Albert and Justin presented them with a bronze medal plaque as a token of our appreciation for their kindness, generosity and continued support!
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Nominations Sought for 2023 Annual Awards Dinner Honorees | |
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Our 2024 Annual Awards Dinner will take place at The Aqua Turf Club on Monday, March 19th. Nominations are now being accepted for athletes, volunteers, and supporters to be honored. All nomniation forms must be submitted by December 18th and can be completed here.
Details about the Dinner will be announced after the first of the new year.
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Save the Dates: Penguin Plunge Schedule Announced! | | |
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Saturday, November 18th and Sunday November 19th - Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run Super Plunge, hosted by the Westbrook Elks, with a dedicated group committed to plunging very hour for 24 consecutive hours to support SOCT! | |
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A pre-event Super Plunge Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser will take place at the Westbrook Elks Lodge, 142 Seaside Avenue, Westbrook on Friday, November 17th, 5-9 p.m. Register here.
Saturday, February 24th - Middletown Penguin Plunge at the Polish Falcons Club
Sunday, March 3rd - Shoreline Penguin Plunge at Eastern Point Beach, Groton
Saturday, March 23rd - Brookfield Penguin Plunge at Candlewood Lake
Saturday, March 30th - Tolland Penguin Plunge at Crandall Park
Saturday, April 6th - Fairfield Penguin Plunge at Jennings Beach
Saturday, April 6th - Monroe Penguin Plunge at Great Hollow Lake (Wolfe Park)
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A Chance to Win Every Day in December 🎁 | |
When you purchase a ticket to support our calendar raffle, you'll have 31 chances to win a prize! We'll be pulling a winning ticket and giving away a prize every day in December. Prizes have a value of $50 or more and include gift cards for dining out, groceries and weekend getaways. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at upcoming Special Olympics events or online by clicking here. | |
Score a Trip to the Superbowl 🏈 | |
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Win two tickets to Super Bowl LVII courtesy of the NFL Alumni Association Connecticut Chapter! Tickets are $100 each and may be purchased here.
No more than 250 tickets will be sold and 100% of the proceeds will benefit our athletes. Second prize is $1,000 and third, $500. The prize drawing will take place following the Wreaths Across America Ceremony that will be held in Darien on December 16, 2023. Winners will be notified by phone.
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Thank you to our Partner Sponsors: | |
Thank you to our Year-Round Suppliers: | |
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Visit soct.org.
Contact us at 203-230-1201 or specialolympicsct@soct.org.
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