Special Olympics Central Shoreline Local Program Formed to Serve Athletes of All Abilities

Special Olympics Connecticut and SARAH, Inc. proudly announce the formation of a new Special Olympics Central Shoreline Local Program which will provide athletes with and without intellectual disabilities year-round opportunities to participate in sports training and athletic competition. This Local Program is the result of a merger of two former Special Olympics programs – Special Olympics SARAH and Special Olympics Shoreline Recreation. SARAH, Inc. of Guilford began the Special Olympics SARAH Program in the late 1970’s through its Recreation office and has since been an advocate for Special Olympics Connecticut and its mission.

The new, fully-accredited Special Olympics Central Shoreline Program will serve athletes who reside in and around Branford, North Branford, Guilford, North Guilford, Madison and North Madison. It will offer training and competition opportunities in swimming, tennis, track and field, sailing, softball, snowshoeing and golf. It will also offer Special Olympics Unified Sports® including basketball, cross-country skiing, volleyball and softball. Unified Sports® bring individuals with intellectual disabilities (Athletes) and those without intellectual disabilities (Unified Partners) together to be on the same team and play sports in a supportive and inclusive environment that inspires acceptance, respect and friendship.

Eighty-four Athletes and 99 Unified Partners are currently enrolled in the newly established Special Olympics Central Shoreline Local Program. Erin O’Reilly will serve as Local Coordinator, or volunteer leader for the group, and Kitty Ing as a coach, and the program will rely on volunteer coaches, committee members, and fundraisers to operate successfully and grow in the months and years ahead.

“We are excited to support this new Local Program along the shoreline. Erin, Kitty and their volunteer coaches are dedicated to providing quality sports experiences to eligible athletes. We encourage local parents, volunteers, civic groups and businesses to support this new Program,” said Marc Mercadante, Senior Director, Community Impact Department for Special Olympics Connecticut.

“Special Olympics of the Central Shoreline will offer more sports and teams for more athletes and their unified partners – a “winning” experience for everyone involved! We are grateful to Erin, Kitty and all the athletes and volunteers who helped make this happen,” said Pat Bourne, SARAH, Inc. Executive Director.

“Our goal is to ensure athletes in our area have year-round opportunities to participate in sports with their peers through Special Olympics and to raise the funds we need to run and expand our program. I look forward to working with our community’s organizations to support us in this effort,” said Erin O’Reilly, Local Coordinator.

To find out more, and get involved as an athlete, Unified Partner, volunteer, coach or supporter, contact Erin O’Reilly at socentralshoreline@gmail.com or Kitty Ing at Kitty.Ing@comcast.net and visit Special Olympics Connecticut at www.soct.org.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions close to 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, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, 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.

About SARAH, Inc.
SARAH Inc. provides services and supports to over 500 children and adults with differing abilities in communities across the state: Birth to Three Early Intervention, Family and Children Center, work and life skills training, supported employment, advocacy and more. Their mission is to enrich the lives of persons with differing abilities, families and the community. For more information about SARAH Inc. visit www.sarah-inc.org.