Special Olympics Connecticut Receives Community Impact Grant

Special Olympics Connecticut, which provides year-round sports, health and fitness programs for individuals of all abilities, announced today that it was awarded a $25,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life. The grant will support the organization’s Summer Games, which will provide participants opportunities to compete in cycling, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field and receive free health screenings through the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program.

“We are grateful for New York Life’s investment in Special Olympics Connecticut, which will change many lives for the better,” said Michael Mason, President and CEO of Special Olympics Connecticut. “Without the support from New York Life, we wouldn’t be able to provide programs like Summer Games that help create more inclusive communities and allow our athletes to thrive and shine.”

“I’m proud to work for a company that encourages its agents and employees to devote their time, energy and talents to support the needs and priorities of their local community,” said Adam Kilpatrick, an agent representing the company’s Manhattan General Office. “We are pleased that our partnership will have a long-lasting impact on Special Olympics Connecticut and the population they serve."

The Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations, which are championed by New York Life agents and employees. Since the program’s inception in 2008, 850 grants totaling more than $12 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country.

About Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 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 more than 170 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Bozzuto's Inc., the Connecticut Elks Association, Enterprise Mobility, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Hometown Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney, Webster Bank and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Bozzuto's Inc., Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, iHeart Radio Connecticut, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, N&D Sports, Pepperidge Farm, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.