Special Olympics Team Enjoys Widespread Support

A group of parents, law enforcement officers and others raised more than $9,000 at the most recent event for Special Olympics March 3 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, with help from several Warren residents and organizations.

“It was an amazing day of meeting new friends, bonding as a team and, most importantly, raising money for Special Olympics New Jersey,” said Michelle Waiser, of Bridgewater, who arranged the team from Somerset County. “We braved the cold to be on the MetLife field and have the opportunity of a lifetime to play flag football for this cause.”

This was the 7th Annual NY Giants Snow Bowl, Waiser said, and was presented by Wyndham Worldwide, put together by Special Olympics New Jersey.

Waiser said all proceeds benefit Special Olympics New Jersey, and more than $345,000 has been raised so far, with $9,200 alone coming from her team.

“It was a day of coming together to give back and keep Special Olympics New Jersey moving forward to provide more and more opportunities to athletes,” she said.

Waiser said she created her team out of close friends, NY Jets and NY Giants fans, parents of children with special needs and law enforcement officers.

Waiser herself has a daughter, Jadyn, diagnosed with autism.

“The team had heart and wanted to help this amazing organization and provide for not only my daughter, but all the children and adults with special needs,” she said. “Everything boiled down to fundraising.”

Waiser said the team also included Kerry Magro, who deals with autism himself.

“Kerry has been an inspiration to all of us, and he has defied the odds and successfully graduated from college, and recently obtained his Masters degree,” she said. “He is an icon in the autism world, and works as the social marketing coordinator at Autism Speaks in New York City.”

Waiser said her team, called the Green Giants, was ranked fifth out of about 100 teams that participated in the three-day event. She said they held fundraisers throughout the months, and had help from Il Forno Restaurant in Branchburg, The Stanton General Store in Flemington and Manhattan Bagel with locations in Westfield, Summit, Fairfield and Roseland.

In addition, Waiser said, Jim’s Pretzels, in Manville, and Manhattan Bagel, in Westfield, displayed paper medals throughout their stores, while Wegmans, in Woodbridge, donated a basket to be raffled.

Waiser said they also received donations from the Watchung Hills Elks, in Warren; W.J. Casey Trucking & Rigging Co., Inc., in Branchburg; American Legion S.A.L. Squadron 120, in Lambertville; Sons of the American Legion, in Lambertville; and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1829, in Flemington.

“A young woman, Danielle Kalen of Warren, used this event and helped to raise money for our team as her Bat Mitzvah project,” Waiser said. “She helped to spread awareness of Special Olympics New Jersey and really incorporated the theme of her giving back to helping others in the community.”

“As per the rabbi at her service, February was Jewish Disability Awareness Month, and her project tied in perfectly to her helping raise money for the Green Giants,” she added.

Waiser said that raising money for Special Olympics New Jersey is very important to her and the entire Green Giants team. The program, she said, helps 22,000 athletes each year as they compete in 24 Olympic-style sports.

“SONJ gives back to the community and allows these athletes to train, learn and excel with opportunities they would probably never have,” she said. “SONJ will continue to give back to our family as we partake in many of the athletic opportunities they offer.”

“I am already excited about next year, and the team has brainstormed some unique fundraising ideas already,” she added.  

Waiser said they played three 30-minute games with the 15 players present on game day.

But more importantly, Waiser said, was the opportunity they had to meet a member of Danny’s Defenders, one of the teams they played on March 3.

“We met Danny, who is 24 years old and from Wayne,” she said. “Danny is classified with a rare genetic disorder called Moyamoya. He became our newest team recruit.”

“He inspired us, touched our hearts and showed the Green Giants what Special Olympics is all about,” she added. “He brought emotions out in all of us that one would never expect from a flag football game.”

Waiser said the teams bonded.

“In our third game that day, Danny was sporting his new Green Giants t-shirt, and joined us on the field,” she said. “He led us to an emotional victory of an experience that will last a lifetime.”

Warren resident Shari Pollack said she had a great time at the event.

“I cannot think of that day without a smile on my face and fantastic stories of admiration and love for all of the participants in the Special Olympics New Jersey,” she said. “I only hope that more and more people will join us in supporting the cause.”

And Patricia Barnish, of Manville, said she was proud to have been part.

“I believe it was a day that none of us will ever forget,” she said. “As many Snow Bowls that we participate in, I think this one will always have a special place in our hearts.”

For more information on the program, visit sonj.org.