Upper Freehold Athlete Gets Support From NJM Donation

WEST TRENTON, N.J.—Ireland Kosco, an athlete from Upper Freehold, is among people in five states competing in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games to receive a donation from NJM Insurance Group. The donation totals $10,000 for the athletes, the company said in a news release.

The games are taking place through June 12 in Orlando, Fla.

“I am looking forward to competing along with my teammates in my favorite sport, swimming,” said Kosco, from Team New Jersey.

“Swimming at Disney is like a dream, but I will work extra hard to make my dream of bringing home a Gold Medal come true,” she said in the news release.

The sponsorship will help cover travel, meals and training camp costs for athletes participating in this year’s summer games.

Ireland is a three-sport Special Olympic athlete, competing in swimming, cycling and cross-country skiing for over 10 years, according to her Special Olympics bio.

"She lives with her parents, her older brother and younger sister, all of whom are her biggest fans. Ireland is fulfilling her dream of going to college and attends a three-year transitional/college experience program.

"She is known by her family as 'The Little Mermaid' because of her red hair and her love of the water and swimming, which she has been doing since before she could barely walk," the bio says.

“The Special Olympics USA Games competitors are outstanding athletes who are dedicated to excellence,” said Mitch Livingston, NJM President, and CEO. “Their commitment is inspirational and NJM is honored to help support them. Each athlete competing in the Games is already a winner.”

This is the full list of athletes representing states within NJM’s regional area receiving the donations:

• Team New Jersey – Ireland Kosco
• Team Connecticut – William (Will) Geanuracos
• Team Maryland – Jake Becker
• Team Ohio – Arthur H. DeVennish
• Team Pennsylvania – Nissi Bolash

The Special Olympics USA is expected to unite more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean at this year’s Games, the news release said.

“We are truly grateful for NJM’s ongoing sponsorship of SONJ, and their newly expanded support of Special Olympics athletes in states across the Mid-Atlantic,” said Heather Andersen, SONJ President, and CEO.

“The athletes competing in the USA Games are remarkable on and off the field. We thank NJM for recognizing their dedication and perseverance.”

Since 2009, NJM has provided support to Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ). NJM also sponsored SONJ athlete Chris Wines and his family as he prepared to compete in the triathlon at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.

NJM, a Mid-Atlantic region property and casualty insurers, said in the news release that one of its core values is to support the communities it serves through year-round employee volunteer efforts at local nonprofits and a formal corporate giving program.