Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) has announced that its 34th Annual Golf Classic has raised $133,000 for Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ).
Delta Dental’s annual golfing event has netted more than $1.83 million over the past 30 years, making it possible for thousands of Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities to pursue their athletic dreams through year-round sports training and competition. This year, almost 90 golfers participated in the event, which was held at the Morris County Golf Club.
“Special Olympics New Jersey has been Delta Dental’s corporate charity partner for more than three decades, and we remain committed to supporting SONJ, an organization that has a lifelong impact on its athletes,” said Dennis G. Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey.
“Because of this year’s event, more than 250 Special Olympics athletes will be able to compete in 24 Olympic-type sports at no cost to them. The opportunities that SONJ provides are unmatched, inviting those with intellectual disabilities ages two and up to not only develop physical fitness but also experience the joys that healthy competition can bring and build connections with each other through sports,” Wilson added.
Delta Dental’s philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, also supports SONJ’s dental care program, Special Smiles, through SMILE Grants, totaling $60,000 since 2020. Special Smiles provides no-cost dental care to thousands of athletes.
“Delta Dental has been a long-standing partner of Special Olympics New Jersey, and we are proud of our over 30-year relationship,” stated Heather Andersen, president and CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey.
“Through events like their annual golf outing and year-round partnership, we are able to provide sports training and athletic competition to athletes across the Garden State, free of charge. We greatly appreciate the Delta Dental Foundation for providing free dental screenings and cleanings to our athletes and look forward to many more years of this wonderful partnership,” Anderson added.
Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Farrah Spencer competed in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 and brought home six gymnastic medals, including first place in Beam, second place in Bars, and fifth place overall.
Atlantic Health System served as the event’s Healthy Golfer Presenting Sponsor, along with several other key sponsors, including:
- Optum Financial as the Featured Sponsor;
- MikeWorldWide as the Special Sponsor;
- Dennis and Dona Wilson as the We Love to See You Smile Sponsor;
- Delta Dental Board of Trustees and Management Team as the Smile Power Sponsor;
- 8 West Consulting, Brown & Brown, and DentalXchange as the Platinum Sponsors;
- New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA), One on One with Steve Adubato, Summit Health City MD, as Gold Sponsors.
Seton Hall University, UCONN, New Jersey Devils, SONJ, Morris County Golf Club, Cape May Congress Hall, Capital Grille, and VSP Vision Care provided raffle giveaway prizes. Golfer gifts were options from TaylorMade, which included an MG4 Hi-Toe Wedge or a gift card.
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 1.9 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.