From a press release:
In this file photo, police officers and Special Olympics athletes took part Friday in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which started in Greenwich and ended in New Haven, at the site of the 2014 Summer Games.
Special Olympics Connecticut will hold its annual Hall of Fame Dinner on Wednesday, March 25th to recognize its extraordinary athletes, volunteers and sponsors for their dedication, leadership, spirit and support.
The event will take place at the Aqua Turf Country Club, 556 Mulberry Street, Plantsville. Registration will begin at 5 p.m., and the program at 6 p.m. The event is made possible through the generosity of the Bozzuto and Calvanese families, hosts for the evening. Emcees will include NBC Connecticut’s Brad Field and iHeart Radio’s Renee DiNino.
The theme of this year’s Hall of Fame is “Play Unified”, in celebration of Special Olympics’ Unified Sports® program in Connecticut and around the world. Reservations may be made by calling 203-230-1201, ext. 276 or emailing kellib@soct.org. The cost is $25 per person or $250 for a table of ten. To find out more, visit www.soct.org.
This year’s Hall of Fame award recipients include:
Hall of Fame – Individuals or groups who have made contributions of time and resources that have significantly impacted Special Olympics Connecticut
Eunice Murtha Award – The William H. Pitt Foundation, Inc., Stamford
Community Leadership Award – Marcus Communications, Inc., Manchester
Lew Perkins Coach Award – Charlene Luzefski, Bristol
Sheila Schmidt Award – Burdeen Camp, Branford
Bozzuto Family Award – The Steel Family, Hamden
Susan Saint James Award (for leadership skills) – John Riccardi, Fairfield
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award – Raymond L. Hadden, III, New Milford
Spirit of Life Awards – Special Olympics athletes who exemplify the true spirit and meaning of Special Olympics
Kevin Brown, Bristol
Sondra Carden, Clinton
Kristin Connolly, Milford
Marshall Firmender, Milford
Breona Henderson, Waterbury
Michael Kalisz, Marlborough
Jake Segla, Naugatuck
Anthony “Tony” Thomas, West Hartford
Unsung Hero Awards – Volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes for Special Olympics Connecticut with no expectation of recognition or reward
Ellen Cocores, New Britain
David Denunzio, Willimantic
Mary Eberle, Bloomfield
John Keeley, Prospect
Alanna Licursi-Rich, Bethel
Josh Pandolfi, Fairfield
Fred Pariseau, South Windsor
Priscilla Solley, Bristol
About Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 13,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners – their teammates without disabilities.
Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 170 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)
Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, ESPN, Eversource Energy, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, ESPN, United Technologies and WWE.
Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New England, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODs, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Dunkin’ Donuts, Graebel Moving Services, LLC, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.
