Delta Dental of New Jersey Raises $77,000 for Special Olympics New Jersey
More Than $1.24 Million Raised at Annual Event for SONJ Since 1990
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — June 25, 2018 — Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) raised $77,000 at the company’s 28th annual Golf Classic, the largest amount raised at a single outing to date, to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ).
SONJ is a nonprofit organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Since the first Golf Classic in 1990, DDNJ has raised more than $1.24 million for this deserving organization.
“The Golf Classic, our most highly-anticipated fundraising event of the year, is just one example of our commitment to enhancing the overall well-being of our local community,” said Dennis Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey. “We believe strongly in advocating for and supporting this organization and are proud to help talented Special Olympics athletes achieve their dream of participating in athletic competition and playing sports they love.”
Hosted on May 16 at Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg, N.J., the outing drew nearly 100 golfers, including SONJ athletes Tom Azilides and Dane Klewsaat, as well as the New Jersey Devils’ Ken Daneyko, a three-time Stanley Cup winner. Putting a spotlight on the event’s mission, Dane shared how being a SONJ athlete has helped him to achieve his goals. He demonstrated his support and appreciation by teeing off with each group at the 9th hole.
Heather Andersen, president and CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey stated, “In this iconic year, as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, it is great to see how much partnerships, like the one we have with Delta Dental, have grown throughout the years and continue to raise the bar each year. Our success and ability of the Special Olympics movement to thrive in the future depend on events like this and the great relationships we have with Delta Dental and all of our corporate partners.”
DDNJ employees served as volunteers at the event and funds were raised through event sponsorships, employee and partner donations, and raffles that included a New Jersey Devils’ suite during the 2018-19 season. Sponsors who supported the Golf Classic included 8 West Consulting, Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors, DDNJ Board of Trustees, MWWPR, New Jersey Dental Association, and Summit Medical Group.
About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.7 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.
About Special Olympics New Jersey
Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for more than 25,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Visit www.sonj.org for more information. In 2018, Special Olympics New Jersey is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Over the past 50 years, Special Olympics New Jersey has changed the lives and hopes of thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout New Jersey. For more information and to see how you can celebrate, visit 50yearssonj.org.
SONJ is a nonprofit organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Since the first Golf Classic in 1990, DDNJ has raised more than $1.24 million for this deserving organization.
“The Golf Classic, our most highly-anticipated fundraising event of the year, is just one example of our commitment to enhancing the overall well-being of our local community,” said Dennis Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey. “We believe strongly in advocating for and supporting this organization and are proud to help talented Special Olympics athletes achieve their dream of participating in athletic competition and playing sports they love.”
Hosted on May 16 at Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg, N.J., the outing drew nearly 100 golfers, including SONJ athletes Tom Azilides and Dane Klewsaat, as well as the New Jersey Devils’ Ken Daneyko, a three-time Stanley Cup winner. Putting a spotlight on the event’s mission, Dane shared how being a SONJ athlete has helped him to achieve his goals. He demonstrated his support and appreciation by teeing off with each group at the 9th hole.
Heather Andersen, president and CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey stated, “In this iconic year, as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, it is great to see how much partnerships, like the one we have with Delta Dental, have grown throughout the years and continue to raise the bar each year. Our success and ability of the Special Olympics movement to thrive in the future depend on events like this and the great relationships we have with Delta Dental and all of our corporate partners.”
DDNJ employees served as volunteers at the event and funds were raised through event sponsorships, employee and partner donations, and raffles that included a New Jersey Devils’ suite during the 2018-19 season. Sponsors who supported the Golf Classic included 8 West Consulting, Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors, DDNJ Board of Trustees, MWWPR, New Jersey Dental Association, and Summit Medical Group.
About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.7 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.
About Special Olympics New Jersey
Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for more than 25,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Visit www.sonj.org for more information. In 2018, Special Olympics New Jersey is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Over the past 50 years, Special Olympics New Jersey has changed the lives and hopes of thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout New Jersey. For more information and to see how you can celebrate, visit 50yearssonj.org.
Delta Dental of New Jersey is a part of Delta Dental Plans Association. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
