September 2008
Feature Story
Important News
Upcoming Events
Sports Department News
Development Department News
Northwest Regional News
Southwest Regional News
Eastern Regional News
Board of Directors
Feature Story
Special Olympics Connecticut Pledges to put a stop to the R-Word
Our choice of language frames how we think about others.
It is time to respect and value people with intellectual disabilities.
It is time to accept and welcome us as your friends and neighbors.
CHANGE THE CONVERSATION….STOP USING THE R-WORD
Click here to take the pledge to stop using the R-Word.
Important News
2008 Fall Sports Festival
1,070 Athletes
355 Coaches
1,000 Volunteers
September 5, 6, 7
Softball
CT Sportsplex, North Branford
Bocce
Savin Rock Park, West Haven
Saturday Only
Golf
Sleeping Giant Golf Course, Hamden
Sunday Only
September 13 & 14
Sailing
Stonington Harbor Yacht Club, Stonington
For more information about the Fall Sports Festival visit www.soct.org
Dream Ride Drives in $100,000 for Special Olympics Connecticut
Another great year as 60 athletes joined in for the ride! On Sunday, August 24, at the Farmington Club in Farmington, CT, over 4,000 participants joined together for Dream Ride 2008 to support Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT). The amazing day raised $100,000 for Special Olympics Connecticut! Once again, Dream Ride proved to be more than a charity ride for motorcycles; it showcased a gathering of people interested in camaraderie, helping out a wonderful cause and having a great time! Don't miss the fun next year. Save the date for Dream Ride 2009 ~ August 23, 2009.
LOCAL COORDINATORS - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The Internal Revenue Service requires charities such as Special Olympics Connecticut, Inc. (SOCT) to provide participants in fundraising events a written statement that details how much of their entry fee is tax deductible. This requirement must be followed by SOCT at the state, regional and local levels. This requirement will apply to fundraisers such as golf tournaments and the Karting Challenge were the participants are receiving goods and services in return for their (donation) entry fee. This does not apply to events such as Penguin Plunges or Bowl-A-Thons where the participants are soliciting pledges in support of their efforts to raise funds for SOCT.
The IRS requires each donor/participant to receive a written statement that includes the following information:
1) The donor’s name, address, amount of the donation and the date the donation was
received
2) The value of goods and services received by the donor in return for the donation
(i.e. – the value of the greens fees, cart rental, meals, refreshments, tees, balls, etc.
at a golf tournament). It doesn’t matter if any of the above items were donated in-kind
to SOCT their value still needs to be determined and reported to the donor.
3) The tax deductible portion of the donation (The amount of the donation from #1)
above less the value of goods and services received by the donor in #2) above)
4) The non-profit organization’s Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
SOCT’s FEIN is 23-7099756
Please confirm to Mike Mason in the Hamden Office that this reporting requirement has been met for your specific fundraising event by providing copies of the acknowledgement letters that you sent out to your donors.
A template for the acknowledgement letter is available from Lynne Bibber, SOCT Bookkeeper, at lynneb@soct.org or at 203.230.1201, ext. 271. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Mike Mason at 203.230.1201, ext. 227 or at michaelm@soct.org .
Upcoming Events
Date Event
Sept. 1 New Haven 5K and 20K -- Unified® Long Distance Running Team
Sept. 5-7 08 Fall Sports Festival -- Softball, Bocce, and Golf
Sept. 13-14 08 Fall Sports Festival -- Sailing
Sept. 17 08 Holiday Sports Classic Coaches Meeting at CAS/CIAC Office at 6pm
Sept. 28 Bigelow Tea 5K -- Unified® Long Distance Running Team
Oct. 3-6 Special Olympics Golf National Inviational Tournament, Port St. Luice, FL
Oct. 11-12 SO Rhode Island 3K and 5K -- Unified® Long Distance Running Team
Oct. 12 New England Golf Invitational, Tunxis Plantation, Farmington
Oct. 19 Bristol Mum-a-thon -- Unified® Long Distance Running Team
Oct. 25 Basketball Divisioning Tournament
Oct. 25-26 Marine Corps 10K -- Unified® Long Distance Running Team
Oct. 26 Volleyball Divisioning Tournament
Nov. 2 Southwest Regional Bowling Qualifier, AMF Circle Lanes, East Haven
Nov. 22 & 23 08 Holiday Sports Classic
For more SOCT competition and special events click here
Sports Department News
Coaches Apprecation Picnic
96 Coaches attended the Coaches Appreciation Picnic on August 2nd at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington.
Congratulations! Charades Champions from Oxford delegation included: Larry Doherty, Carol Pendziwater, Fran Kupsik, Mo Blees, Linda McKane, Kellie McKane, Mickey Doherty, Kyle Higgins.
Click here for photos from the event.
Emergency Pager
Emergency Pager Number – 203.230.1201 ext. 275 is now a direct phone call to the person on-call to allow for quicker response time. Please only use this for a real emergency – this number should not be used to find out when a shuttle bus will be arriving at a venue or whether or not events are cancelled due to weather.
Unified® Long Distance Running Team
For the past 18 years, Special Olympics Connecticut has had a Unified® Long Distance Running Team. This group of athletes and partners has competed in numerous road races in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, DC, and even in Oregon. This year their practices began the week of August 18 and they are planning on participating in the following races:
New Haven 5K and 20K Sept. 1
Bigelow Tea 5K Sept. 28
SO Rhode Island 3K and 5K Oct. 11-12
Bristol Mum-a-thon Oct. 19
Marine Corps 10K Oct. 25-26
For more information about joining this team either as an athlete or a partner, please
contact Yvonne Grimes at grimeseven@aol.com or 203.270.7974. New members are always welcome. Three team members of this program were our marathon runners who competed in the 2007 World Summer Games in China.
Powerlifting
We want to encourage programs from all around the state to consider starting a
Powerlifting program for athletes to participate in the Holiday Sports Classic. Powerlifting can be traditional or unified. For beginners, athletes would only need to lift the bar with minimum weights. We know there are a lot of coaches out there who work out in gyms all the time. Ask your local gym if they would be interested in providing training for athletes. Many of our athletes have gym memberships but may not be doing any lifting. This would be a wonderful opportunity for anyone to get involved in a different sport. For more information please contact Laurie-Jean at the state office.
World Winter Games 2009
For those of you who may enjoy the hobby of crocheting it has been brought to our
attention that there are some crocheters and knitters who as a group are making Special Scarves for the athletes from around the world who will be coming to Boise, Idaho for the 2009 World Winter Games in February. To find out more information about this project, please Google “Talking Crochet” on the internet and go to their newsletter.
New Sports Ideas
Special Olympics Connecticut is looking into the possibility of offering some new sports. One of which could be Ballroom Dancing. If this is of any interest to any of our athletes or partners please contact Laurie-Jean. A survey will be put together soon with some other sports to consider as well.
Holiday Sports Classic
The Holiday Sports Classic will take place on the weekend of November 22 & 23. All
coaches are asked to attend the Coaches Meeting on Wednesday, September 17 at CAS/CIAC in Cheshire. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. All venues are the same as last year with Traditional and Unified® Bowling taking place in both Milford and East Haven, Unified® Basketball at Quinnipiac, Unified® Volleyball and Traditional and Unified® Powerlifting in New Haven. Anyone interested in starting a new team in any of these sports should definitely plan on attending the coaches meeting to be sure to get all necessary information.
Development Department News
Special Olympics Connecticut Collecting Cell Phones and Accessories
Please look for the cell phone recycling boxes at your local Special
Olympics office as well as at upcoming games and competitions.
Special Olympics Connecticut has partnered with TWIGTEK, where donated
phones are recycled in the most environmentally friendly manner
possible. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Special Olympics
Connecticut.
Please consider dropping your old phones off when upgrading…
Auction Items Needed for 2009
Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) and our Law Enforcement Torch Run
(LETR) program will be hosting the world in 2009 as the Law Enforcement
Torch Run International Conference comes to Connecticut. More than
1,000 law enforcement officers from around the world will descent
upon the MGM Grand at Foxwoods November 11-15, 2009.
In an effort to off-set our costs in hosting this once in a lifetime
event, SOCT/LETR will present a Live/Silent Auction for conference
attendees. This is a huge opportunity to raise significant money.
In 2007, Special Olympics Oklahoma raised $50,000 from this event.
AUCTION ITEMS ARE NEEDED. If you have a timeshare, vacation home,
artwork, sports memorabilia, or similar items that would generate
interest and you would like to donate to this event, please contact
Lisa Markham at the SOCT Hamden office by phone at 203.230.1201 ext.
231 or by e-mail at lisam@soct.org
2nd Annual Susan Saint James “Connecticut Hold’em” Poker Tournament
Limited spots remain for the October 5th event held in the World
Poker Room at Foxwoods Resort Casino. New this year: The final two
tables will be relocated to the Post Event Reception so that all can
view the final participants as they vie for the Top 3 Prizes.
The reception which is included as part of the $100 entry fee for the
tournament will feature great food as only Foxwoods can present and
open bar.
The prizes this year are as follows:
1st Prize – 8 days/7 nights at the ESJ Towers on the beach in Puerto
Rico
2nd Prize – NBC Sports Sunday Night Football game of your choice in
2008 with a behind the scenes tour of the NBC Sports Production.
3rd Prize – Overnight stay with dinner for two at Foxwoods Resort
Casino
To reserve your spot today, please send an e-mail to Bob Garguilo at
robertg@soct.org or call 203.230.1201 ext. 223. The entry fee, $100,
is payable in cash directly to Foxwoods the day of the event. You will
need a Dream Card/Wampum Card to participate. Cards can be obtained
the day of or in advance should you be at Foxwoods prior to the event.
Northwest Regional News
Northwest Region Local Coordinators & Coaches Meeting
We will be hosting a Northwest Region Local Coordinators and Coaches
meeting on October 8th at the Southbury office at 6:00pm. Please let
us know if you will be able to attend!
2008 Northwest Region Bowling Qualifiers
The Northwest Region’s bowling qualifiers will take place on:
Saturday, November 1st Spare Time Alley in Bristol
Sunday, November 2nd Lore’s Lanes in New Milford
Registrations for the event are due Friday, October 10th to the
Northwest Regional Office.
Powerlifting and Volleyball Coaches Training Schools
The Northwest Region will be offering coaches training schools in
power lifting and volleyball to get ready for Holiday Sports Classic.
If there have any coaches who may be interested in either or both of
these training schools please contact Morgan Reinig at the Northwest
Regional office.
Danbury Softball Invitational
Thanks to the help of Lou Bennett and our sponsor, the Savings Bank
of Danbury, the Danbury Softball Invitational was held on Saturday,
August 9th at Rogers Park in Danbury. A total of 15 teams with over
200 athletes, including teams from all over Connecticut and two from
New York participated in the event. We couldn’t have asked for
better weather on this great day of competition.
Annual Spaghetti Dinner
The annual Spaghetti Dinner and Dance, hosted by the Northwest
Connecticut Law Enforcement, will be held on Tuesday, September 16th
at the Elks Lodge in Torrington from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Price for a night
of fine food and entertainment (generously provided by DJ Patti) is
$7.00 for adults, and Free to Special Olympics Connecticut Athletes.
Tickets are available through the Torrington Police Department,
Winchester Police Department, Thomaston Police Department, LARC, and
the Special Olympics Connecticut Northwest Regional office.
Please call the Special Olympics Connecticut Northwest Regional
office at 203.267.6566 for more information.
Rock and Bowl
Come out and support Special Olympics Connecticut by attending our Rock &
Bowl at Spare Time in Bristol on September 19th. Come bowl for 2 hours,
shoes and lane rental included for $20. For more information please call Spare
Time at 860.582.9668.
“Thank You Reception”
The Northwest Regional office will be holding a “Thank You Reception”
for Northwest Region Law Enforcement Torch Run Town Captains on
September 24th beginning at Noon at Senior Pancho’s Restaurant in
Prospect CT. RSVP is requested by November 12th to Sharon Pelkey at
203.267.6566 or sharp@soct.org
Save the date!!
November 13th Day at Lime Rock Driving Experience
For more information please contact Sharon Pelkey at the Northwest
Regional Office at phone, 203.267.6566, or by e-mail, sharp@soct.org .
Southwest Regional News
2008 Southwest Region Bowling Qualifier - Important Date!!!
The 2008 Southwest Region Bowling Qualifier will be held on November
2nd at the AMF Circle Lanes in East Haven. More information to
follow.
Bowling Coaches Training
The Southwest Region will be hosting a Bowling Coaches Training School
in East Haven. Details will be e-mailed to Local Coordinators.
Bender Financial Group Golf & Tennis Tournament
The Bender Financial Group will host its 2nd Annual Golf & Tennis
Tournament to support Special Olympics Connecticut on Monday,
September 8th at the Greenwich Country Club, 19 Doubling Road,
Greenwich. Golfers, tennis players, and reception guests are invited
to register early, as space is limited. Please call 203.380.9990, ext.
604 or e-mail debbieh@soct.org to register for the event and to find out
about sponsorship opportunities.
The cost is $500 per golfer, which includes greens fee, forecaddie,
cart, beverages on the course, and a cocktail & buffet reception.
Tennis is $150 per person, which includes Ladies’ Tennis Doubles or
Men’s Tennis Doubles and a cocktail and buffet reception. Guests may
attend the cocktail reception and buffet only for $100 per person.
The reception will begin at 6 p.m. and feature live and silent
auctions. Advance reservations are required.
To view highlights from last year’s event, visit:
www.benderfinancial-specialolympics2007.com.
The Bender Financial Group, part of the Northwestern Financial network,
provides innovative strategies and personalized solutions to help
clients achieve their financial goals. Offices are located in
Westport, Shelton, Fairfield, and New York.
A Tasty Way to Raise Dough
A tasty way to raise dough, dine-in or takeout at Uno Chicago Grill
in Milford or Fairfield on September 11, 2008. Uno will donate up to
20% of your check to Special Olympics Connecticut-Southwest Region.
Click here for the required coupon for the event.
Looking for athletes interested in Figure Skating
The Shelton Local Program will be adding figure skating to their
program this year for Winter Games. They are looking for athletes to
join their team. Athletes must have some experience on the ice.
Practices will most likely be in Shelton or Bridgeport. Please
contact Karen Forlenzo at 203.922.9236 if you have an athlete who is
interested.
Shelton Police Tip-A-Cop
Members of the Shelton Police Department will host their first
Tip-A-Cop fundraiser at LongHorn Steakhouse on Tuesday, September 23
from 5 to 9 p.m. LongHorn Steakhouse, located at 838 Bridgeport
Avenue, Shelton (203.944.9852). For more information call Special
Olympics Connecticut Southwest Regional office at 203.380.9990,
ext. 604. The event is open to the public and no reservations are
required.
Pancake Breakfast to kick-off the East Haven Penguin Plunge
East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon, members of the East Haven Fire
Department, and Special Olympics Connecticut will hold The Special
Olympics Connecticut East Haven Penguin Plunge Kick-off Pancake
Breakfast on Thursday, September 18th from 8 to 9:30 am. The event
will be held at the East Haven Fire House, Foxon Station 3, located
at 1480 North High Street (at Route 80). Please register for this
event in advance by calling 203.380.9990, ext. 604 or e-mailing
debbieh@soct.org.
Network with local business owners, corporate sponsors and your peers
and learn more about opportunities with Special Olympics Connecticut
in and around East Haven, including how to participate in the 2008
East Haven Penguin Plunge which will be held on Saturday, December 6th.
Eastern Regional News
Chowderfest at Mystic Seaport
Fall is just around the corner and that means Special Olympics
Connecticut-Eastern Region staff and volunteers will be at the 2008
Chowderfest at Mystic Seaport from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. October
11th – 13th selling Creamy New England Clam Chowder, hot dogs, and
cookies in the food tent on the Seaport Green. Live entertainment,
children’s activities and special tours are scheduled throughout the
weekend. For more info contact the Eastern Region office in Norwich.
Click here for event flyer.
Motorcycle & Special Car Shot Gun Run
Saturday, September 13th Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center is
sponsoring a Motorcycle and Specialty Car Ride and Pig Roast to
support Special Olympics Connecticut. The ride will start at the
Indian Leap Cafe in Norwich and conclude at the Double Down
Restaurant and Grill in Preston on Route 2A. Contact Marc Mercadante
at marcm@soct.org or call 860.887.1555 for more information.
Click here for event flyer.
Eastern Region Fall Local Coordinators Meeting Dates
For all meetings, food will be served at 6:15 pm with meeting to
follow from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
October 7: BKM Office, East Hartford
October 8: SOCT Eastern Region Office, Norwich
November 11: BKM Office, East Hartford
November 12: SOCT Eastern Region Office, Norwich
RSVPs will be sent out approximately one week before each meeting.
Special Olympics Connecticut Night with Connecticut Defenders
On August 6th, teams from around the Eastern Region and the state
attended Special Olympics Connecticut Night with the Connecticut
Defenders. Special Olympics Connecticut athletes, coaches and
families received free game tickets courtesy of Bob’s Stores.
Rally the Mascot entertained fans throughout the evening with his
antics as the CT Defenders took on the Trenton Thunder. Several
athletes were treated to once in a lifetime experiences.
Joe Bartolucci was thrilled to be on the field the players as a
guest batboy and was also able to tour the locker room, batting cage
and dug out. Guest announcer Franklin Bruce announced the starting
line-ups prior to the game. James O’Toole of East Lyme and Taylor
Anfuso of Colchester, both featured in Bob’s Stores’ in-store giving
campaign, were chosen to throw out the first pitch.
New Britain Rock Cats Fundraiser
The baseball fun continued on August 21st for Special Olympics
Connecticut Night with the New Britain Rock Cats.
Congratulations to Danbury Public Schools, the top fundraisers for
the event. Jacqueline Bartimoccia of Danbury threw out the first
pitch prior to the New Britain Rock Cats vs Erie Seawolves game.
Bowling Coaches Training School
The Eastern Region will be offering a Bowling Coaches Training School
on September 10th at Norwich Bowl in Norwich, CT. Please click here
for registration form.
Eastern Region 2008 Bowling Qualifiers
The Eastern Region bowling qualifiers are right around the corner!
Click here for sponsorship information. Eastern Regional Bowling
Qualifiers are scheduled for the following dates:
Sunday, October 26
Holiday Bowl, Groton, CT
Saturday, November 1
Friendly Bowl, Brooklyn, CT
Sunday, November 2
AMF Silver Lanes, East Hartford
Sponsored by Insurity
Stay tuned for information about the 8th Annual Bowl-A-Thon with the
Hartford Wolf*Pack!
Board of Directors
Griswold Inn Tip-A-Cop
Thank you to Board Member Al Sheahan and former Board Member Barry Ilberman for attending the Griswold Inn Tip-A-Cop on July 21st. The event was very successful.
Next Full Board Meeting
The next full Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28th at 7:00 pm in the
Special Olympics Connecticut State Office in Hamden. Please contact Kelli at 203.230.1201 ext. 276 or kellib@soct.org on if you will be in attendance or not.
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