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HANOVER, Mass. – The Boston Celtics and TD Bank are proud to share a longstanding partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) and collaborate on a variety of platforms to offer support to the organization. This summer, the Celtics CommUNITY Crew, presented by TD Bank, selected SOMA as the beneficiary of a renovation project, which then recommended the Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover, Mass. as the recipient.
Cushing is a residential and day program that provides education and workplace programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Over the course of two weeks, its recreation center was transformed into an innovative activity room to be utilized and enjoyed by its students.
During phase one of the project, employees from TD Bank, SOMA and the Celtics volunteered to clear out the space before giving the room a fresh coat of gray paint and designing decorative wall murals and inspirational quote boards.
Professional grade wall graphics were installed during the second phase of the remodel, along with brand new flooring. The room also received brand new furniture, a 60-inch HDTV complete with an Apple TV multimedia receiver, a sensory area, state-of-the-art computer stations, new storage compartments, board games, books and a mini-basketball hoop. Prior donations of a pool table and air hockey table were given some TLC and were completely refurbished.
On Tuesday, Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk joined executive director of SOMA Mary Beth McMahon, president and CEO of Cushing Jo Ann Simons and Cushing student-athletes to celebrate the opening of the new recreation center.
The morning started off with welcoming remarks from both McMahon and Simons. Both executives thanked the Celtics and TD Bank for their continued support of SOMA and for the time taken to rejuvenate the recreation center.
Following the opening remarks, Cushing student-athlete Gordon captivated the attention of the attendees when he spoke about the important role sports play in his life. Gordon is a powerlifter and is one of more than 75 Cushing athletes who participate in SOMA games each year.
“The Special Olympics has given me the confidence to never give up on my goals,” stated Gordon, “because you might just succeed. Through sports I’ve learned how to grow from ups and downs, and no matter how hard something might seem to keep going.”
After giving Gordon a well-deserved round of applause for sharing his story, the youth began to explore the space. While some enjoyed participating in an online scavenger hunt or playing various board games, others challenged Olynyk to a game of pool.
The 7-foot center then switched gears, as he began to read B.J. Novak’s imaginative story, “The Book with No Pictures,” in animated fashion to a room full of giggling youngsters.
“I was excited to support the Special Olympics of Massachusetts today at the Cardinal Cushing Centers,” said Olynyk. “It was fun to interact with the athletes and learn about all the hard work they put into their sports.”
At the conclusion of the event, Simons spoke about the significance of now being about to provide students with a state-of-the-art facility.
“Recreation is such an important life-long skill,” said Simons. “Now our students have a place to safely practice those skills that they can use the rest of their lives in the community.”
To learn how you can support SOMA athletes please visit specialolympicsma.org.