By: Maggie Griffin
As with the National Special Olympics, the Special Olympics Tri-Town in Wallingford, Meriden and North Haven, CT; continues its community involvement in a sports program for people with intellectual disabilities. It provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type summer and winter sports for participants.
Charles F. Dacey, Jr., Tom Dacey's Father, contributed through volunteering his time to help and encourage all athletes while transporting them when Tom participated in the North Haven Special Olympics. “The Special Olympics is very close and dear to my heart. I was a Special Olympian myself. Taking pride in the trophies and ribbons I won doing the softball throw, watching the champions today continue a legacy which keeps the Special Olympics Torch lit,” said Tom Dacey.
David Blakeslee Jr. is a multiple, 280 times metal champion Special Olympian, Showcasing his athletic skills since he was 8 years old. David takes pride when he said; “My parents, entire family and friends have been my support ever since I became a Special Olympian Athlete. I have two special good luck charms, my God-daughter Allison Vilardi and my little princess niece Madison Blakeslee. My sister Heather Blakeslee – Fiore is the best coach in softball and encourages a foundation for all athletes, including myself, when the softball game takes place in the Special Olympics Tri-Town”. David continues to showcase his athletic skills along with encouraging his fellow athletes in doing the same. Kenneth Blakeslee, David’s brother, is one of the basket ball coaches for the Special Olympian athletes as well. The families and friends of the Special Olympians Tri-Town are the core asset to the Special Olympic Tri-Town event yearly.
Colleen Costello, Administrator Director for The Special Olympics Tri-Town works closely with Coordinator Michael Canty. “I love my responsibility as the Administrator Director for The Special Olympics Tri-Town. Year round the athletes participate in several sports.” Costello emphasized. She continues about the sporting events that take place through every season. “In the winter there is Alpine Skiing and Snow Boarding. During the spring season there is the traditional Basket Ball. Summer events include aquatics, cycling and athletics followed by the fall sports that is bocce for the athletes over the age of 30 and traditional softball. But that’s not all, there is the Holiday sports that include bowling which is both traditional and unified, power lifting and volley ball”.
Allison Vilardi is proud to get the word out when she told me “Every season there is a constant running of sports the Special Olympian Tri-Town athletes take pride in their athletic talents and skills.”
Celebrating the 5th annual Wallypalooza at Jake’s Martini Bar on Central St., in Wallingford, CT, the food from Tata’s Restaurant was the start of the celebration.

The 5th annual Wallypalooza became a crowded event. From the food, music, raffle items and more, it was a pleasure to meet many Special Olympian athletes that are the champions of champions as Special Olympians.

It was with honor when Tom Dacey asked me to be a special guest at this event. The Special Olympics is meaningful and important to thousands of people. Talking with Tom Dacey, a Man who is a role model in many ventures, he is also a man of motivation, dedication and inspiration. He continues to pass the spirit he holds dear to his heart of the lit Torch to all Special Olympians that are Champions.
December marks the 30th Anniversary of the Special Olympics Tri-Town, a celebration that is a proud recognized value in the Tri-Town communities. With 160 athletes who currently participate in the sports of the Special Olympics Tri-Town, for more information, schedule of events and questions, write to - Special Olympics Tri-Town; P.O. Box 588; Meriden, CT 06450.
**VentureOut! Publications will be updating this column with the names of the volunteers and sponsors shortly.
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