Special Olympics Connecticut Global Messenger

Roger Tomkiel

Birth Date: July 30, 1963
Home Town: Niantic, CT
Sports: Certified Cycling Coach for Mystic-Ledyard, Athlete in Sailing, Skiing, and Volleyball

I live in my own apartment with my best friend and roommate Jeffrey DePina and my cat, Michael Jordan. We enjoy going to the gym and cooking different meals. Though going out to a local restaurant is fun too! Never pass that opportunity up! We have the best neighbors! I love reading. I love going to the movies with my friends Dan and Jacob (Mystic-Ledyard Athletes) and playing computer games and video games (X-Box). I am a Yankees Fan (forever-yes, Jamie Lazaroff-forever)! No better channel than one with old movies and TV shows (Nick at Night and TV Land)! I am open to do or try anything! Almost anything! I am a member of the Niantic Lions Club, member of the Niantic Tops Group and a Member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Centerbrook. I work at Wal-Mart in Waterford as a Stockman. I've worked for Wal-Mart for almost 10 years.

I love traveling! This year I went skiing in Maine and visited my brother in Arizona. NYC is next! Oh, and I did my first Penguin Plunge at Ocean Beach (What a shock!). Raising money was easy compared to PLUNGING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALP's programs are like nothing else! Learning with a Capitol "L"-training sessions, conferences, doing speeches as a Global Messenger (since 1999) and learning more about yourself and others. You get to meet so many new people through ALP's! I love being able to talk to others about how Special Olympics Connecticut has changed my life.

As a Coach and as a GM, I get a chance to share what has happened with me and sometimes that helps others. So many people have helped me; this is my time to help others. I try hard to be a good person and a good friend to everyone I meet.