Latest news with #SpecialOlympians
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Best experience of my life': Longtime Special Olympian overcomes adversity
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Special Olympics Rhode Island's Summer Games are more than just a competition. They're also about making lifelong friends. No one knows how to do that better than Henry Moretti, who's competed with the Trudeau Tigers for more than five decades. 'Special Olympians are like family to me,' he said. The Cranston native has participated in his fair share of competitions, such as basketball, softball, golf and soccer, to name a few. But what's the 65-year-old's favorite sport? Moretti was quick to answer. 'I like bowling. My sister helps me,' Moretti said. 'Three weeks ago, I bowled my best game. I bowled 168 — six spares and two strikes.' Moretti has traveled far and wide during his time with Special Olympics. 'I've been to Austria. I played floor hockey … I was a goalie,' he said. 'I've been to Minnesota where I did weightlifting. I've also been to Indiana where I played handball and volleyball.' 'I even went cross-country skiing in Utah,' he added. Moretti was even invited to visit the nation's capital. 'I've been to the White House three times,' Moretti said. 'I met Bill Clinton twice and I met George W. Bush once.' 'I was a Global Messenger for Special Olympics,' he continued. 'I was one of 12 Global Messengers to have dinner with the president.' RELATED: 2025 Special Olympics RI Summer Games officially underway While Moretti is known for having quite the sense of humor, he's also extremely tough. Not even two bouts of cancer could keep him from doing what he loves. 'It was hard,' Moretti recalled. 'I was in the hospital for awhile and went to four rehabs to get better. I had to learn how to walk and everything again.' Thankfully, Moretti is back on track. He's even launched his own podcast, where he talks about his experiences with Special Olympics. Moretti told 12 News he plans on being a Special Olympian for years to come. 'I hope to be with Special Olympics for a long, long time,' he said. 'It's the best experience of my life.' WPRI 12 is a proud sponsor of Special Olympics Rhode Island. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cranston woman who was reported missing is found; police charge caregiver with abuse
CRANSTON — A 45-year-old nonverbal woman with autism who was reported missing on Wednesday was found alive at about noon on Sunday in the back of an SUV that had been parked for several weeks on the street less than a mile from her apartment. Linda DaLomba, who has an apartment at 3436 North Clarendon St., was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for evaluation. "We're just ecstatic — ecstatic that she was found alive," Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said during a press conference at police headquarters two hours after she was found. "She appears to be in pretty good health at this point." A man living on Pond Street, whose Honda Pilot was parked on the street for several weeks until he could take it for repairs, went out to tend to the SUV at about noon. "When he went inside the vehicle to jump-start it," Winquist said, "he was startled to find Ms. DaLomba curled up, laying down in the back hatch area." The man, whom officials declined to identify, called the police. Winquist said searchers had passed the SUV during the three-day search for DaLomba but it had tinted windows that made it difficult to see inside and the police aren't sure when or how DaLomba entered the vehicle. She has mobility impairments that make the police wonder whether she would have needed assistance. The caregiver who reported her missing, and then, according to the police, changed her story several times, was arrested to face a felony charge of abuse, neglect and exploitation of an impaired adult and of obstructing the police by giving false information. Roberta Gerard was awaiting processing at police headquarters during the press conference. Winquist said that Gerard first told officers that she had lost track of DaLomba on Wednesday afternoon at Burlington Coat Factory. After investigators confronted Gerard with video footage that showed she and DaLomba had not been in the store, Gerard said that she had stopped at home to heat up some food and, during the four minutes she had left DaLomba alone in the car, DaLomba had, despite her mobility impairments, managed to get out of the car, which was equipped with rear doors that locked and could not be opened from inside. "We had our doubts to that story," Winquist said. The fact that DaLomba was found in good health despite needing insulin every few hours gives rise to the question as to whether someone was caring for her during the days she was missing. Winquist said that the investigation into where DaLomba was while she was missing, how she got where she was found and who may have assisted is ongoing and would not rule out charges against other people. Winquist said that the police searched DaLomba's apartment and Gerard's home during the investigation and that the FBI, the state police and the Providence police assisted in the investigation. The chief said that Special Olympians helped in the search for DaLomba, who, herself, has competed in the Special Olympics. "We're glad this turned out the way it did," Winquist said. "A lot of these don't turn out in a positive way. "Our thoughts became quite grim but we never gave up hope that we would find her." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Missing woman found in Cranston, caregiver charged with abuse
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Special Olympics RI athletes to compete in 2025 World Winter Games
SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) — Special Olympians Kayla Edgar of Westerly, Brianna Puglia of Narragansett and Ian Shepherd of Newport will all be flying to Turin, Italy, early Wednesday morning for the 2025 World Winter Games. A ceremony was held Tuesday afternoon with friends, family and Special Olympics Rhode Island staff to honor and celebrate the athletes before they embark on their long journey to Europe. Special Olympics RI President and CEO Edwin Pacheco spoke at the event, pointing out how powerful and exciting it is to see the athletes heading to the games. 'They are about to make history, not just on behalf of Rhode Island, but on behalf of the United States of America. How awesome is that?' he said. For Brianna and Kayla, this will be their first time competing in the games in snowshoeing, as well as traveling to Italy. 'Words can't even describe how I'm feeling right now, if I'm being honest,' Brianna said. 'I probably say this to a lot of people since I'm going to be getting up at 4 a.m. tomorrow to come here for 5:30. I'm probably not going to be able to sleep a wink with all this excitement.' Ian will be attending his fourth World Games and competing in alpine skiing. He hopes to add to his collection of medals, having won two gold and one bronze in Japan, China and South Korea. 'I feel really good and excited, and I cannot wait to compete against other athletes from different countries and meet other athletes from different countries,' he said. 'I'm hoping to get a medal there.' The opening ceremony will be held on March 8, and the games will conclude on March 16. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity announces ‘Rock the Block' 2025 to take place in September
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity CEO Jessica Diederich, President of the Neighborhood Association for Fisk Addition Anna Kolb and Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich gathered on Tuesday to announce the dates for Rock the Block 2025. The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity's Rock the Block 2025 is set for September 25-27, as volunteers are invited to join forces for good, rebuilding and revitalizing neighborhoods. Last year was the inaugural year for Rock the Block, as over two dozen homeowners in De Pere to help revitalize homes. Diederich said that the impact was more than just physical. Green Bay Polar Plunge® raises money for Special Olympians, invites attendees to jump in freezing cold Fox River 'Last year, over 30 homeowners participated in revitalization efforts transforming their homes and strengthening their neighborhoods,' Diederich said. 'Beyond the physical repairs and improvements, the most profound impact was how the program brought people together.' From yard maintenance to exterior home repairs, Rock the Block is designed to 'elevate the community with well-maintained neighborhoods,' the official Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity website says. 'We've been really excited about bringing Habitat [for Humanity] and Rock the Block to the city of Green Bay,' Mayor Genrich said. 'The city of Green Bay and Habitat for Humanity have been partnering for decades, but with each year, it becomes a stronger and more meaningful partnerhsip.' There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to take part in when Rock the Block kicks off: Family Radio Network launches Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive to aid Wisconsin crisis agencies Exterior home repairs Painting Providing meals Landscaping Modify and construct ramps for those with disabilities Cleanup and setup logistics Visit the Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity's website for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Tinley Park police take the plunge to raise more than $35,000 for Special Olympics
The man once known as 'Chef Boyardee with an attitude' has learned his lesson. Tinley Park part-time police Officer Dennis Reilly has taken hundreds of polar plunges in his years with both the Riverdale and Tinley Park departments. While with the Riverdale force, Reilly took part in his first polar plunge to benefit Illinois Special Olympics about 17 or 18 years ago at Lake Bluff in Lake County. 'Everybody had a costume on,' he said. 'I used to be a cook in the Navy, and I dressed up as Chef Boyardee with an attitude. I had a spatula and a billy club along with a chef's apron and a chef's hat. 'Everyone had costumes. You had Shreks. You had Batmans. You name it. You had everything and anything out there.' Now at age 61 and making his most recent plunges for Tinley Park Saturday at the police station, Reilly is no longer dressing up. 'You would think that the more you wear, the warmer you will be,' he said. 'But that's not the case. The cold water sticks to the clothes.' Reilly was a part of the first group taking one of many plunges in a pool east of the station on Saturday. In all, more than 10 people took multiple plunges during the daylong event, including a period of double plunges in the afternoon. The cops estimated the temperature was 19 degrees during the first jump and detective Robby Frias said it was cold but worth it as the event was expected to raise $35,000 in pledges and other donations. Frias, who organized the event, is continuing a family tradition. His father, Bob Frias, was a longtime member of the Oak Forest Police Department. 'He was big into the Special Olympics and the Torch Run,' Frias said. 'He explained that this is something that is bigger than yourself. 'This job that we do is a vocation. It's where your skill set and the needs of the world meet. You get a chance to help people, and you get a chance to do stuff above and beyond.' Frias said cops can be a hero to Special Olympians. 'It's great when you can put a medal around a special athlete's neck,' he said. 'The biggest hugs you get are from the athletes. It's just infectious. You can't have a bad day after one of those events or even after this event once you know what your effort is benefitting.' Chief Thomas Tilton joined the morning crew of Frias, Reilly, Officers Dominic Manzella and Kyle Heneghan and Special Olympic volunteer Scott Fridrych for 'moral support.' He did not venture into the pool. He said he has never done a plunge. Meanwhile, he is happy with the work the department has done for Special Olympics. 'It's a national association that the police have with Special Olympics,' he said. 'But it's been a really personal part of this Police Department. 'One of our retired commanders was a state and national leader in this for a long time, so it's really become ingrained in this department.' Plunging in cold water on a cold day is a tough job but someone has to do it. Frias said it's not hard to round up people to do it. 'You know what? When you see the athletes at these events and you see where all of this support goes to, it's easy to ignite that fire and get people jazzed up about it,' Frias said. Reilly doesn't have to be convinced. Even before taking up plunging for the cause, he supported the Special Olympics. He estimates he has volunteered with the organization in some capacity for 33 years. 'I was fortunate to be able to be healthy and there are other people who aren't,' he said. 'This is my way of giving back. It's been a blessing for me more than the athletes. 'I made great relationships with numerous athletes over the years. We can learn more as a society from these athletes because they just want to be treated equal.' Reilly said people in the world are worried about so many things but that's not what it's about. 'I'm here to raise awareness and raise money for our athletes so that they can enjoy life just as much and you and I,' Reilly said.
