News & Media

Simonides Receives Bud Meyers Award

Eversource Volunteer Andy Ouellette (l) and Athlete Greg Simonides (r), Photo by Volunteer Chad Lyons

Greg Simonides, an athlete with the Special Olympics Central Shoreline local program, is this year's recipient of the Bud Meyers Award. He was presented with the Award during the Winter Games Opening Ceremony at Eversource in Windsor on Saturday, February 28th. 

Greg got his start in Special Olympics in 1995. He first got involved with the Special Olympics New Milford local program and when he moved to Madison in 1999, joined the Special Olympics Central Shoreline team. Soon after joining Central Shoreline, he began training and competing in cross-country skiing - a sport he continues to participate in to this day at Winter Games! 

Greg is known by his teammates as being "the first (athlete) to get out on the snow and blaze a path" for the others and for his preference to compete in the longer races that test his stamina and skills. Greg is also known for being competitive, but also "always having a friendly smile." He is a dedicated Special Olympics athlete who participates in sports with Special Olympics year-round. 

 

Officers Kick Off a Year of Supporting Special Olympics

   

     

There was a room full of honorees and esteemed guests at the 2026 Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kick-Off event hosted by Foxwoods Resort Casino on February 19th. This celebration happens just once a year, but officers' commitment to and support for our athletes are year-round!

In addition to launching attendees' fundraising efforts for the months ahead, the event was an expression of gratitude for extraordinary officers from across the state.

The Top 10 fundraising departments from the past year were recognized and include:

Branford - $106,719 

Brookfield - $56,791

Monroe - $56,782

Canton - $33,368

Fairfield - $31,040

Waterbury - $26,474

Clinton - $24,834

Avon - $22,941

Cheshire - $22,798

Guilford - $20,330

Additional honorees and the awards presented to them are:

Tom Madera - CTLETR Hall of Fame Inductee

Ernie Elliott - CTLETR Council Award

Branford Police Department - Joel Kent (Tip-A-Cop) Award and Top Municipality Award

Canton Police Department - Adopt-A-Mile Award

Waterbury Police Department - Merchandise (Sales) Award

York Correctional Institution - Department of Corrections Award

University of Connecticut Police Department - International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administration Award

Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime - Walter Greene Connecticut State Police Award

SOCT's Lisa Carlone was also presented with a special award for her long career and countless contributions to the Law Enforcement Torch Run worldwide.
 

Notable guests also included Joel Kent - who organized the first Tip-A-Cop event, members of SOCT's delegation going to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota and SOCT Global Messengers. WFSB's Renee DiNino and Athlete and Global Messenger Brian Drexler emceed. 

 

Mobile Plunge Recap 

   

Our new Mobile Plunge Unit is on the move and helping brave souls make a splash to support Special Olympics! By having the mobile plunge unit come to participants at their workplaces, schools and neighborhoods - more people are discovering the joy of Special Olympics and getting involved. Recent mobile plunge events and the amounts they raised include:

• Bacon Academy High School - $6,678

• Farmington High School - $18,198

• Wolcott High School - $5,403

• Quinnipiac University Medical School - $3,439

• New Britain Police Department - $2,593

• Simsbury High School - $9,333

• Eversource - $31,500+

 

Club Waka's Swing & Toss For A Cause Event Raises Funds for Athletes

Members of Club Waka held a cornhole and volleyball tournament - Swing & Toss for a Cause - to support Special Olympics Connecticut athletes on February 21st. The event raised $2,815. Global Messengers Robin Batchelder and Ryan Paggioli were instrumental in running the on-site raffle, including creating and securing many of the raffle prizes.