Continued success of North Haven’s yearlong Special Olympic programs has resulted from local teamwork.

“We offer a year-round program focusing on sports and training and competition,” stated Eileen Pettit, North Haven’s assistant recreation director. “Our Special Olympics offers a variety of programs and we have certainly grown through the years.”

When people work together for common good, anything is possible, with wonderful results and personal satisfaction. North Haven’s Special Olympics is a program that gives its athletes opportunities to achieve, while making friendships with other athletes and volunteers.

“For 11 years, Stephanie Cerrato and I have been working very closely together with Special Olympics and we have opened new doors and successfully expanded the program,” Pettit said.

Cerrato is North Haven’s local coordinator and liaison for the town’s recreation department and Special Olympics for the State of Connecticut. Pettit explained that she and Cerrato have known each other for several years. Pettit was Cerrato’s field hockey coach when she was in high school. After high school, they went separate ways, but some years later they reconnected and have been working together for Special Olympics for 11 years.

“My family is very involved in sports and volunteering,” said Cerrato. “When I was in high school and college, I volunteered for North Haven Special Olympics and I loved the experience.”

“After college, I was working in recreation and when I was leaving my position, I received a call from the State Office of Special Olympics inquiring if I would be interested in a position for North Haven Special Olympics,” she added. “The timing was perfect, and when I learned that I would be working with Eileen, I was thrilled and accepted the position.”

She is also a longtime resident who has a deep dedication to Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics of Connecticut has 27 programs and we have tapped into 13. We have 65 impressive athletes ranging in ages from eight-years-old to 66 years-old,” she said. “We have a fine group of volunteers who have been with us for years, volunteering on weekends and evenings.”

“Many volunteers are high school students who come to do their service hours, and after completing their hours, they come back and bring their friends with them,” she continued. “The experience has been so positive and they have made friendships with the athletes that they want to continue the connection and volunteer.”

Cerrato explained that the program offers a variety of activities for those with both intellectual and non-intellectual disabilities. There are two types of competitions — “traditional” and “unified.”

Traditional involves athletes with intellectual disabilities competing against others in basketball, bocce, swimming, track and field, bowling and cycling. Unified involves athletes without intellectual disabilities competing as a team in softball, basketball, croquet and flag football. Golf is used in both traditional and unified athletics.

 “This year, we introduced a new program called the Hip Hop Program, which is an exercise and dance class where participants dance to music. The program is led by dancer and instructor Roxanne Mongillo,” said Pettit. “At the end of the program, the participants performed in a dance competition at Fantasia on Washington Avenue.”

“The show was successful and it turned into a benefit for Special Olympics,” she added.

Pettit and Cerrato are grateful for the generosity and constant support of local organizations, including The North Haven Rotary Club, The North Haven High School Football Team, and Dance Productions, who have aided in hosting fundraisers. All money from fundraising events helps to buy equipment, team uniforms and provide transportation for the athletes.

“These organizations are wonderful, and words cannot express our gratitude for all what they do,” said Cerrato. “For example, The Rotary Club sponsors a pancake breakfast that is well-attended and the Football Team do a benefit called A Spring Brawl that raised $2500 this year. The football players have taken a special interest in the athletes and have made connections and friendships with them.”

“We also want to thank North Haven resident and town treasurer Laurie-Jean Hannon for supporting our programs and being a terrific ally and resource person,” said Pettit. “We appreciate all our volunteers and the families of our athletes who give their time, love and assistance. Teamwork, dedication, organization, new ideas and concepts, and a passion to service everyone are essential components in making North Haven Special Olympics unique and successful.”

Pettit and Cerrato are always working on new ideas. Two future goals include an arts program focusing on crafts and painting, and the hope of participating in the North Haven Memorial Day Parade.

“Special Olympics are a way to celebrate life and a continuous group of family and friends,” said a sincere Cerrato. “When people conquer their fears, anything is possible and we want all our athletes to be brave and achieve with personal satisfaction.”

Pettit agreed with Cerrato by adding, “We are here to service everyone and we achieve our goals through teamwork and commitment. We have made accomplishments, our athletes have achieved, our volunteers and athletes have bonded, and the end results are smiling faces and precious memories.”

For more information, please contact the recreation department at 203-239-5312 ext.770.