by Special Olympics State Chairman, Mel Rivera PER
Good day, all 23,300+ Elk members of the Connecticut Elks Association. As I write this, I’m very excited about what’s happening with the Committee and what’s going to happen next. But before I jump into the details, a few introductions are needed. I’m Melvin Rivera, PER; State Chairman-Special Olympics. The District Chairman are: Kathi Ackerman, PSP,PDD-Central; Kathy O’Hara, PER-East; Theresa Dolittle, ER-Northwest and Jim Garfield, ER-Coastal. This is your team and we are here to support you in any way possible with your Special Olympics plans.
Now that’s done, let’s review some quick facts. Since June 2024, the Lodges have raised approximately $28,000.00 (current amount) and we aren’t counting Super Plunge yet. This money was raised via Over the Edge ($22,260.00) and Great Elks Migration [$6,000.00](Westbrook & Middletown). The success of these two events demonstrates that you all are willing to support a program that has meaning and purpose. The Committee also has planned a Super Plunge event 11/23/24 (Mike Stewart-PSP,PDD; Jamie Sienna-PDD; Holly Jacobs-ER and David Perregaux-ER are together participating and will hopefully raise another $10,000.00) as well as a brand new event, Avelo Plane Pull (This is the 2nd year of the event and although we didn’t have a showing this year, next year we will. Did I also mention that the winning team gets free airline tickets with Avelo Air?). We also are active participants in the Volleyball Holiday Classic, June Summer Games and multiple events that take place throughout the state, e.g, Lodge dances, picnics, outings etc. Super Plunge is a Law Enforcement Torch Run event organized by SO, CT and the Lodge Plunge is a Elks driven event.
These are just a few things of what’s happening here at the State for Special Olympics. But growth isn’t measured in how much money we raise or how active we can be (although this can’t be ignored and is important)it’s really a measure of how well we listen to the suggestions that come from frontline members. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with many of you and specifically, with those charged with running these events and the feedback that I have received is indeed positive. However, I have also heard that we can improve on some areas, e.g, “My Lodge doesn’t have a team” or “We would like to but don’t know who to reach out to” or “We would like to but don’t have enough people to do it”. Let’s refer to these questions as “The Top Three”!!) All of these are suggestions for your Special Olympics Committee to address and to come up with possible solutions. And, we have! In a separate report, I will address “The Top Three”.
In the interim, it’s important to continue to focus on what your Lodge is going to do, can do, or will do to help improve our partnership with Special Olympics and to make your Lodge a place where your Local Partners can help you grow and thrive. To close, “Let me Win, but if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt”
This is apropos for us and it is why we do what we do. Thank you for supporting Special Olympics and I look forward to seeing you at your Lodge doing something for Special Olympics.