August 2008
Feature Story
Important News
Upcoming Events
Sports Department News
Law Enforcement Torch Run
Development Department News
Northwest Regional News
Southwest Regional News
Eastern Regional News
Board of Directors
Feature Story
Dream Ride 2008 features a charity motorcycle ride throughout Connecticut and a car show to celebrate the achievements of Special Olympics Connecticut Athletes who will be participating as “Dream Riders”.
The Final Destination for the day will be at The Farmington Club where an amazing
afternoon filled with fun, food, music, motors and more awaits everyone!
All-New Dream Show 2008, Presented by PAPA’S Chrysler Dodge Jeep in association with Dream Ride 2008. All types of vehicles are welcome and award presentation will be made in various categories.
Volunteers still needed.
If you would like to join us and help out at Dream Ride 2008 call
Chrissa Caramia at 203-250-5660 or e-mail ccaramia@bozzutos.com
Become Part of the DREAM &
PRE-REGISTER TODAY!!
*First 500 people to register receive an official
Dream Ride T-shirt & Pin!
* Each online registrant will have the opportunity to win an 8 Days/7 Nights Vacation
Getaway- see website for Details
Start Locations: The Farmington Club*TSI Harley-Davidson/Buell/Ellington
*TSI Columbia Harley-Davidson*Yankee Harley-Davidson Inc.*Bridgeport Harley-Davidson, Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson*Gengras Motorcycles*Danbury Harley-Davidson*Guilford Police Department.
Click Here for More Details
Please Join Us on Sunday, August 24, 2008
ALL MOTORCYCLES WELCOME TO RIDE!
ALL CARS WELCOME TO SHOW!
Important News
Athlete Congress
All Athletes are invited to attend the Athlete Congress being held at 9:30 am on Wednesday, August 27th at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. You do not need to be a Global Messenger to attend. This event is hosted by Global Messengers Brian Drexler and Raymond Hadden. Athletes discuss and vote on issues they deem important to bring before the Special Olympics Connecticut Board of Directors. Lunch will be provided as well as a tour of the Capitol. Please respond to Sue Mohr at 203.230.1201 ext. 239 or susanm@soct.org if you would like to attend. This is the first time an Athlete Congress has been held in Hartford and we hope it will be a wonderful experience for our athletes.
Thanks to The Mark R. Fusco Foundation
A special thanks to The Mark R. Fusco Foundation for helping fund the Special Olympics Connecticut Aquatics Program. With the generous donation, funds were used for the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest Regional Aquatics competition as well as the 2008 Aquatics venue at the state Summer Games.
Below is a photo from the check presentation featuring from left to right:
Vice President of Sports and Program Laurie-Jean Hannon, Athlete and Global Messenger Carrie Rosabianca, President of Fusco Corporation Lynn Fusco, Special Olympics Connecticut Intern Shelby Komisar and President Beau Doherty.
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 where 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
August 2 Coaches Picnic at Shuttle Meadow Country Club, New Britain
August 9 Danbury Softball Invitational
August 9 Naugatuck Special Olympics Golf Tournament
Hunter Golf Club, Meriden
$125 per person (includes 18 holes, cart & food)
Contact: Don Sprague 860.560.5451
August 15 Registration for Bocce, Sailing, and Golf due to Regional Offices
August 16 Softball Divisioning Tournament
August 22 Deadline for articles for September 2008 e-newsletter
August 22 Roster Appeal/Scratch deadline for 2008 Fall Sports Festival
August 23 Invitational Alternate Shot 9-Hole Golf Event, Race Brook Country Club
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 including Law Enforcement Torch Run Events click here
Sports Department News
Emergency Pager Number
Our new 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 use this only 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 will begin 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.
2008 Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament
The 2008 Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament will be held at the PGA Village of Port St. Lucie, Florida from October 3-6. Representing Team CT will be athletes from West Hartford, Colchester, Lebanon, Avon, Stratford, Trumbull, Mystic and New Britain.
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 and she can have Chris Capobianco, our Powerlifting Competition Director, help walk you through the process of getting a program started.
Becoming a Special Olympics Connecticut Certified Coach
Just as a reminder, in order to become a Special Olympics Certified Coach the following requirements must be met:
•Be a current Class “A” Volunteer (this includes Protective Behaviors).
The Class “A” Volunteer Applications and reference letters (for minors) are available on
the Special Olympics Connecticut website.
Here is the direct link for the Class “A” Volunteer Application http://www.soct.org/local/AVOLAPPRev091907.doc .
Here is the direct link for the Minor Reference Letter http://www.soct.org/calendar/minorreferenceletter.doc
•Protective Behaviors is also available on-line.
Here is the direct link to the Protective Behaviors Training and Quiz. www.specialolympics.org/protectivebehaviors
•Register and attend a Special Olympics Connecticut coaches training school for a specific sport
•Complete a General Orientation Session. The General Orientation Session, once completed, does not expire. The General Orientation Session is available on-line on the Special Olympics Connecticut website.
Here is the direct link to the General Orientation Session and quiz:
http://www.soct.org/local/coaches.shtml . Once the quiz is completed
e-mail notification will be sent to Sarah Dickinson in the Hamden Office
•Complete a 10-hour (minimum) practicum working with Special Olympics athletes in that sport following a coaches training.
•Complete, sign, and return an Application for Sports Training Certification form to the Hamden office. Please include the sport you are applying for on the application. The applicant’s Class “A” status must be current and the signed and returned form must be complete in order for a credential to be processed and printed. Each Certified Coach Credential lists the sport(s) that the coach is certified in as well as the expiration date (month/year) of that certification. The application must be signed by both the applicant and the applicant’s Local Coordinator. The application is available on the Special Olympics Connecticut website.
Here is the direct link for a copy of the application:
http://www.soct.org/calendar/coachescertificationapplication.doc
•Certification is good for 4 years from the date of the training school
Please contact Sarah Dickinson, 203.230.1201 ext. 272 or sarahd@soct.org , if you have questions regarding the certification status of any of your coaches.
Law Enforcement Torch Run
Motorcycle raffle tickets for sale!
As part of the 2008 Dream Ride, the Hometown Wheels Foundation will be raffling off great prizes. All proceeds from this raffle go to Special Olympics Connecticut and the Law Enforcement Torch Run program. Please help us to support Bozzuto’s in their efforts as they continue to support us in our efforts. Tickets are $20.00, if everyone receiving this newsletter sold 10 tickets, we would have them all sold!
Prizes:
1st Prize 2008 Harley-Davidson FLSTN Softail Deluxe
2nd Prize Trip for 2 to Puerto Rico, includes 8 days/7nights at ESJ Towers
3rd Prize 2.4 GHz iMac Computer
4th Prize Getaway for two at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
(Includes overnight stay and dinner for two)
Motorcycle raffle tickets are available from your regional office or contact Lisa Markham at 203.230.1201 ext 231.
2008 Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) International Conference in Texas
Connecticut will be hosting our hospitality night at this year’s conference as a preview to 2009! Macy’s, Bozzuto’s, and ESPN have come on board in support of our efforts!
Capture the moments!
We are looking for any photos you may have of LETR personnel – at events, running with the torch, spending time with athletes etc. This is Connecticut’s opportunity to showcase our Law Enforcement personnel and our athletes. We will by putting together videos and slideshows for the upcoming conference so if you happen to see those great moments and have a camera, please capture it!
We are also looking for stories on our law enforcement personnel and their connections with our athletes, as family members, friends, mentors etc. If you know of these please bring them forward. LETR does so many great things and I know we are not aware of all if it. Contact Lisa Markham with any information and/or e-mail photos to lisam@soct.org.
Upcoming Events Law Enforcement Torch Run Events
July 29th
Senor Pancho’s Golf
Classic Whitney Farms
For information please call 203.261.1399
August 3rd
Bowling Event
Norwalk Police Department
1:00 – 4:00 pm
To register or sponsor please contact pvinett@norwalkct.org
August 29th
Tip-A-Cop
City Steam Brewery
Hartford Police Department
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
September 13th
Chat & Scrap - spend the day scrapbooking!
The Inn at Villa Bianca
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
For more information please contact Pamela Neuendorf 203.650.3281
Bridgeport CC
September 16th
Spaghetti Dinner & Dance
Torrington Elks Lodge #372
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hosted by: Torrington Police Department, Winsted Police Department, Thomaston Police Department, and Connecticut State Police
Development Department News
Donate Your Old Cell Phones
Special Olympics Connecticut is once again collecting cell phones and accessories. Please look for the Twig Tek recycling box at the Special Olympics Connecticut Office nearest you as well as at upcoming games.
For more information, please contact Bob Garguilo in Hamden, 203.230.1201 ext. 223
Special Olympics Connecticut to host the world again!
This time it will be in conjunction with our Law Enforcement Torch Run Program. The Law Enforcement Torch Run International Conference will be held November 11-15, 2009 at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods.
More than 1,000 law enforcement men and women representing each of the 50 United States, Canada, and 35 countries worldwide will be in attendance. Sponsorship and vendor space opportunities are available.
This is a great marketing opportunity for companies that sell to the law enforcement and corrections communities, especially those with a national or international footprint.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Bob Garguilo at Special Olympics Connecticut Headquarters, 203.230.1201 ext. 223
Northwest Regional News
2008 Danbury Softball Invitational
The 2008 Danbury Softball Invitational will be held on August 9th at Rogers Park. This
will be our 7th year to host this tournament. We are expecting 17 teams (7 Traditional and 10 Unified®), including teams from all over Connecticut as well as 2 from New York. If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Morgan Reinig at 203.267.6566 ext. 703 or by e-mail at morganr@soct.org .
2008 Athlete Block Dance
The Northwest Region would like to take this time to THANK everyone that came out Saturday, July 19th for our 1st Annual Athlete Block Dance!!! We couldn’t have asked for a better day! The sun was shining, beautiful breeze, no rain, great food, and as always GREAT volunteers! A special thanks the Watertown Area Association for Special Citizens, Watertown Parks and Recreation, the members of the Lions Club, and the DJ, Patti. We had over 200 athletes, volunteers, friends and family join us! If you weren’t able to make it this year, we’ll be sure to see you next year!!!!
Northwest Region Development –Save the Dates!
13th Annual SOCT Spaghetti Dinner & Dance
Hosted by Northwest Connecticut Law Enforcement & Elks of Torrington
September 16th
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Elks Club in Torrington.
Please see the Law Enforcement Torch Run Calendar of Events for more details.
Rock & Bowl Fun Fundraising Event
Spare Time in Bristol
Friday, September 19th
Hosted by the Northwest Region
More information to follow.
2008 Lime Rock Karting Challenge
Once again we would like to thank all our racers for a successful event. Thank you notes and souvenir photos have been mailed to all racers. There were some photos that we were unable to identify because the kart numbers were covered. If by chance you did not receive your photo, please call Sharon at 203.267.6566 ext. 708.
Volunteers and Drivers needed for Dream Ride
The “Dream Ride”, to be held on August 24th, is starting from 9 different locations
throughout the state. Information about the Dream Ride can be found on the Special
Olympics Connecticut website, www.soct.org . Volunteers are needed at all registration points. However, if you live in the surrounding areas of Danbury (Harley Davidson) or Bristol (Yankee Harley), please contact the Northwest Regional office and we would love to have you join us. Volunteers are asked to check-in at the event by 8:30 am.
Local Coordinators and Coaches
We wish to extend well wishes for a speedy recovery to Local Coordinators Donna Schneider & Coach Pat Walsh.
Southwest Regional News
Important Date!!!
Southwest Region Bowling Qualifier will be held on November 2nd, 2008 at the AMF Circle Lanes in East Haven. More information to follow.
Bender Financial Group Golf & Tennis Tournament
The Bender Financial Group will host its second 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. 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.
Sevilla Designs Offers Jewelry Fundraisers
Sevilla Designs would like to offer Special Olympics Connecticut a donation of 20% of the gross sales from any jewelry parties hosted by Special Olympics Connecticut donors, supporters or volunteers.
Jewelry parties are fun and easy. Sevilla Designs offers very beautiful jewelry that is
hand-crafted with unique stones, beautiful pearls and distinctive glass. Its Spring/Summer Collection includes items priced from $15 - $50. More unique items are priced from $30 - $500. Cash, checks, MasterCard or VISA are acceptable methods of payment. Visit the website www.sevilladesigns.com, to view samples of original jewelry designs. To find out more and host a party, call the Southwest Regional office at 203.380.9990 ext. 604 or e-mail debbieh@soct.org.
Pablo Sevilla is an artist, originally from Mexico, and professional educator at Trumbull
High School. He annually organizes a group of student volunteers for Special Olympics
Connecticut Southwest's Regional Games. Pablo enjoys spending his summers working on new designs as well as looking for different stones for his jewelry from around the world.
Southwest Region has a Champion Toddler!!!
On May 31st, Stonyfield Farm held their 1st Annual Baby Crawl and Toddler Race at the Westfarms Mall. Yo Babies on the Moove ’08 invited babies and toddlers for a crawling and toddler trot competition to promote the Stonyfield Farm organic Yo Baby yogurt as well as make a $5,000 donation to Special Olympics Connecticut.
Who was the winner of one of the most adorable race? Our very own James Cerrato, son of Stephanie Cerrato, our Local Coordinator of the North Haven program!!! James came in first place in his race and made the Southwest Region proud. For pictures of the race and of James, click on the following link. James is in pictures 25 & 26.
http://www.yobabyyogurt.com/moove/Hartford/index.cfm
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.
Norwalk Tip-A-Cop
Thank you to friends with the Norwalk Police Department and Ash Creek Saloon of Norwalk who teamed up to host their 1st Tip-A-Cop fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut event on July 14th. The event included a silent auction and was held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It was a wonderful success and great fun and raised over $5,000. The restaurant donated a portion of the day’s proceeds.
The Norwalk Police will also hold its first Community Bowling Tournament to benefit
Special Olympics Connecticut athletes and local children on August 3rd at Rip Van Winkle Lanes, Norwalk.
Bridgeport Police Department
The Bridgeport Police have been teaming up with the Fairfield County Sports Car Club this season to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut. The Sports Car Club holds monthly autocross competitions with 100+ participants and all proceeds going to support Special Olympics Connecticut athletes. They’ve already contributed over $3,000 and recently held a Police Chiefs autocross competition with the Police Chief Norwood of Bridgeport, Chief Peck of Fairfield, Chief Buturla of Stratford, and Chief Kiely of Trumbull.
Members of the Bridgeport Police Department are also set to host their annual Labor Day weekend Tip-A-Cop at Captain’s Cove, located at 1 Bostwick Avenue, in Bridgeport. The event will take place Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st.
Eastern Regional News
South Windsor Cop-on-Top
Many thanks to Agent Ron Littell and the South Windsor Police Department for the 4th Annual Cop-on-Top held July 10-11 in South Windsor. At the event, athlete Angelica Collins was presented with a new pair of running shoes courtesy of New Balance. Thank you to our sponsors: Pro East, New Balance, Tall Traders, Talbot’s, Burton’s Grill and Ultra Diamonds.
Griswold Inn Tip-A-Cop
Essex Police Department and State Troopers donned aprons and serving trays at the
Griswold Inn as they hosted a Tip-A-Cop on July 21st. The evening also featured live
entertainment and a raffle with prizes donated from area businesses.
Clinton Cop-on-Top
The Clinton Police Department will be holding a Cop-on-Top event at the Clinton Fire
Department Block Party on Saturday, August 2nd.
Special Olympics Connecticut Night with Connecticut Defenders
Join us on Wednesday, August 6th for Special Olympics Connecticut Night with the
Connecticut Defenders when they host the Trenton Thunder. Game time is 6:35 pm.
All Special Olympics Connecticut athletes, coaches and families are eligible for free
tickets to the games courtesy of Bob’s Stores. The night will also feature a pre-game
match-up, at 4:15 pm, between the New London Unified® Softball Team and the associates from Bob’s Stores. Rally the Mascot will be in attendance to entertain all!
Ticket requests may be submitted to Jackie Turro by e-mail at jackiet@soct.org or
by phone at 860.887.1555 no later than Friday, August 1st. Click here for an event flyer.
New Britain Rock Cats Fundraiser
Bring the family out to the ball game on Thursday, August 21st for Special Olympics
Connecticut Night with the New Britain Rock Cats. General admission tickets are available for $5.00 each with 50% of proceeds going to Special Olympics Connecticut. If your delegation is interested in participating in this fundraiser, please contact Jackie Turro by e-mail at jackiet@soct.org or by phone at 860.887.1555 as soon as possible. Click here for a ticket request form.
Eastern Region Softball Invitational
The Eastern Region Softball Invitational will be held on Saturday, August 9th from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London. For more information, please contact Rita Ford by e-mail at ritaf@soct.org or by phone at 860.887.1555.
Upcoming Bowling Coaches Training School
The Eastern Region will be conducting a Bowling Coaches Training School in September. Please stay tuned for more information.
Board of Directors
GE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Thank you to Gary Standerford and Amy Ruggiero for supporting Special Olympics Connecticut with their golf tournament held on June 24th at Great River Golf Course in Milford. Also, a big thanks to Board Chairman Roger Burns, Board Member Al Sheahan and former Board Member Joe Dennin for participating.
CHANGED - NEXT FULL BOARD MEETING
The next full Board Meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, August 12th 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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