Big Y, Axel Jeans Team Up to Support Dream Ride event, Raise $21,330 for Special Olympics Connecticut

In photo, left to right: Mark Zimkiewicz, Store Director – Big Y of Avon; Michael D’Amour, Executive Vice President – Big Y Foods, Inc.; Dan Widing, Special Olympics Athlete & Big Y of Avon Employee; Chrissa Caramia, Cause Related Marketing Manager - Bozzuto’s Inc.; Rob Thatford, Director of Chain Sales & Support - Bozzuto’s Inc.; Alyssa Dupre, Assistant Merchandiser - Axel Jeans; Debbie Horne, Director of Communications – Special Olympics Connecticut; Beth Brigham, Recruiter and Benefits - Axel Jeans; and Aimee Ashton, Account Manager – CBS Radio (at Big Y of Avon).

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For a first time, Big Y World Class Markets and T.K. Axel Authentic Denim (Axel Jeans) teamed up to support Dream Ride (www.dreamride.org) – an annual event presented by Bozzuto’s Inc. and The Hometown Foundation that draws participants from three countries and 12 states and features a motorcycle ride, car cruise, great food and live music – all to benefit Special Olympics. Their combined efforts raised $21,330.00 for Special Olympics Connecticut.

During August, Big Y Connecticut locations collected donations at check-out registers from customers and employees, with 100% of the proceeds donated to Special Olympics Connecticut through Dream Ride, presented by Bozzuto’s Inc. and The Hometown Foundation.

Big Y and Axel Jeans also shared a booth at the Dream Ride event where anyone making a donation of $10 or more to Special Olympics, received a free article of T.K. Axel Authentic Denim clothing.

Big Y World Class Market/Big Y, Inc. is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour, the company currently operates 60 stores throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut with almost 10,000 employees

T.K. Axel Jeans is a contemporary men’s denim brand based in West Hartford, CT. Axel brand is focused on developing high quality, great fitting, authentic denim with updated vintage washes at a fair price.

Bozzuto’s, Inc., is a family-owned, full service, wholesale food distribution company headquartered in Cheshire, Connecticut, that serves over 700 supermarket retailers from Maine to Maryland and Ohio to Long Island. Bozzuto’s is a proud supporter of IGA and is a five-time winner of IGA’s highest honor, The President’s Cup.

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 14,000 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) T