DDNJ's 36th Annual Golf Classic Raises nearly $134,000, Surpassing Lifetime Milestone of $2 Million for Special Olympics New Jersey

PARSIPPANY, NJ — June  17, 2026 — Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) announced that its 36th Annual Golf Classic, held Monday, May 11, 2026, raised nearly $134,000 and brought the cumulative contribution for Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) to over $2 million. The event continued a decades-long tradition of helping athletes with intellectual disabilities achieve their dreams through sports.

Caption: Left to right: Delta Dental President & CEO, Paul Di Maio; Special Olympics Event Consultant, Christina Baldini; Special Olympics Athlete, Dane Klewsaat and his mom Gail; Special Olympics President & CEO, Heather Anderson; Special Olympics Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships, Beth Starr; Special Olympics Athlete, Thomas Schoch and his mom Cheryl; and Broadcaster, Author, and Event Emcee Steve Adubato at the May 11, 2026 Delta Dental Golf Classic, benefitting Special Olympics New Jersey, hosted at Fairmount Country Club, Chatham, NJ.

"At Delta Dental, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive and be part of a supportive community, and our longstanding partnership with Special Olympics New Jersey reflects those beliefs. The Delta Dental Golf Classic is a meaningful way to support the incredible athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers who make this organization so special,” said Paul Di Maio, President & CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “We are grateful to our sponsors, golfers, and supporters whose generosity helps create opportunities for athletes to compete, grow, and inspire others through the power of sport."

This year’s Golf Classic took place at Fairmount Country Club in Chatham Township, New Jersey, where more than 150 golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners gathered in support of SONJ and its mission of inclusion through sports. The event featured a full day of golf, networking, and celebration, including prizes, sponsor activations, and special appearances by SONJ athletes and supporters.

Caption: Delta Dental Foundation Board Member Lou Vetere (left) and Delta Dental President & CEO Paul Di Maio (right) celebrate while on the course during the 36^th Annual Delta Dental Golf Classic.

Delta Dental’s commitment to Special Olympics extends beyond the annual Golf Classic. DDNJ’s associate volunteers join SONJ for the Winter and Summer Games, while the philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, helps fund Special Smiles. A key component of the SONJ Healthy Athletes initiative, Special Smiles provides Special Olympics athletes with free dental care and oral hygiene instruction.

“This year’s event was especially meaningful as we celebrated an incredible milestone—36 years of partnership and a lifetime total of more than $2 million raised in support of our athletes. That achievement reflects not only Delta Dental’s generosity, but also the deep dedication the organization has shown to creating opportunities, inclusion, and joy for individuals with intellectual disabilities across New Jersey,” said Heather Anderson, President & CEO, Special Olympics New Jersey. “Partnerships like ours are built over time through shared values, trust, and a mutual belief in the power of community. We deeply value the longstanding relationship between Delta Dental and Special Olympics New Jersey and are honored to continue this journey together.”

Caption: Special Olympics Athlete Thomas Schoch shared with the golfers, supporters, and sponsors at the Delta Dental Golf Classic his experiences with competing in swimming, cycling, and bowling over the course of his 17-year career, as well as how Special Olympics has enriched his life.

Sponsors for the 2026 Golf Classic included:

• Presenting Sponsor – 8 West Consulting
• Innovative Sponsor – Optum Financial
• Healthy Golfer Sponsor – NTT DATA
• Champion Sponsor – MikeWorldWide
• Ruby Anniversary Sponsor – The Delta Dental Foundation Board and Management Team
• Smile Power Sponsor – Atlantic Health
• Legacy Sponsor – Brown & Brown
• Platinum Sponsors – dentalXchange, New Jersey Dental Foundation, and Summit Health

Photo highlights from this year’s event can be found here.

###

About Delta Dental of New Jersey

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 2.2 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs.

Offering dental benefits since 1969, Delta Dental of New Jersey's mission is to promote oral health to the greatest number of people by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality, service, and value. Through its philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation awards more than $1M in grants annually to support access to dental care and education for underserved children, seniors, veterans, and those with special needs, as well as funds workforce development programs for dental assisting and dental hygiene across New Jersey and Connecticut.

About Special Olympics New Jersey

For more than 55 years, Special Olympics New Jersey has provided year-round sports training and athletic competition in 22 Olympic-type sports for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge. Through the power of sports, athletes gain confidence, build friendships, and develop lifelong skills that extend far beyond the playing field.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Kim Elmore, Delta Dental of New Jersey
(973) 534-9682, kelmore@deltadentalnj.com