Special Olympics Connecticut will hold its annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner to honor outstanding athletes, volunteers and supporters on Wednesday, March 21st. Honorees will have demonstrated leadership, spirit and selflessness, as well as a commitment to inspiring respect, understanding and acceptance for people of all abilities in sports and beyond the playing field. The event will take place at Aqua Turf Country Club in Plantsville at 6 p.m. and Brad Field of NBC Connecticut and Renee DiNino of Clear Channel Community Access Radio will serve as emcees. It is being hosted by the Bozzuto and Calvanese Families. For tickets and more information, call 203-230-1201, ext. 276 or email kellib@soct.org. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Awards will be presented to:
COMPANIES/ORGANIZATIONS
IBM Corporation – Community Leadership Award
York Correctional Institution, Niantic (Warden Kevin Gause, Lt. Eric Dessaules) – Eastern Regional Award
FAMILY
The Lopriore Family, Norwalk – Bozzuto Family Award for volunteer and philanthropic support
INDIVIDUALS
Michael Bozzuto, Avon – Susan Saint James Award to an individual whose leadership has inspired positive change
Lawrence Doherty, Jr., Beacon Falls – Lew Perkins Coach Award
Matt Smith, Dix Hills, NY – Eunice Murtha Award to an individual whose philanthropic means has made a significant impact
In Memory of George Ford, Fairfield – Sheila Schmidt Volunteer Award
Todd Pelazza, Guilford (Fairfield University liaison) – Southwest Regional Award
David Dennin, Trumbull – Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award to an athlete who exemplifies the spirit of Special Olympics
Darcie-Forgue-McIntyre, Woodbury – Northwest Regional Award
Spirit of Life Awards, presented to athletes who exemplify the true meaning of Special Olympics:
Anthony Cruz, Bristol; Jason Keeler, Danbury; Kathy Ledwidge, Mystic; James Schlauder, New Haven; Tim Sturges, New Haven; Jeffrey Hungerford, Pomfret; Jessica Kasidas, Watertown; Scott Castellucci, West Haven; Samantha Hodgson, Westport
Unsung Hero Awards, presented to volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to benefit Special Olympics:
Lt. Tim McConville, Glastonbury, of the East Hartford Police Department; Adam Kilpatrick, Hoboken, NJ;
Richard Parker, Manchester; Rose Kalisz, Marlborough; Tony Catapano, North Branford; Maxine Pearcy, Stonington; Craig Staub, Waterford; Captain Teresa Penn of Coorigan-Radgowski Correctional Center, Uncasville; Agent Ron Littell, Vernon, of the South Windsor Police Department; William Carey, West Haven
About Special Olympics Connecticut Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and Unified Partners (their teammates without disabilities). Through a myriad of initiatives throughout the state and the world, Special Olympics is a movement that’s changing attitudes and changing lives by inspiring inclusion, understanding and respect for people of all abilities, in all aspects of life. (www.soct.org)
Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Connecticut Light & Power/Yankee Gas/ Western Massachusetts Electric (Northeast Utilities Companies), Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, and United Technologies.
Year-Round Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New England, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Graebel Trucking, Guida’s Dairy, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and Worx Branding & Advertising.