South Jersey Triathlete Set to Compete in Special Olympics World Games
February 27, 2019NJM Insurance Group Hosts Community Send-off, Provides Monetary Support for Travel Costs
NJM Insurance Group (NJM), one of the Mid-Atlantic Region's leading personal auto insurers and employers in the South Jersey area, hosted a community send-off and luncheon for Hammonton native and Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) athlete, Chris Wines, as he prepares to compete in the triathlon at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. During the event, NJM presented Chris and his family with a $5,000 check to help with travel expenses.
"Chris is an outstanding, well-rounded young man," said Mitch Livingston, NJM President and CEO. "One of NJM's core values is to support the communities we are privileged to serve. Today, we are honored to celebrate Chris and his accomplishments as he sets off on this very exciting journey to represent New Jersey and Special Olympics USA."
Chris has participated in the Special Olympics since 2013, competing in swimming, floor hockey, softball, and triathlon, earning numerous gold medals along the way. He has excelled as an active member of both the Hammonton Stingrays and the Ocean City Stingrays swim teams. Before he graduated in 2018, Chris was a member of the robotics club YALiEns and the Bulldogs' soccer, softball, and basketball teams at Y.A.L.E High School in Cherry Hill.
"We're thrilled for Chris, who is a truly inspiring young man, and equally grateful for NJM's participation," said Heather Andersen, President and CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey. "We value the strong support we receive from across the state, so it’s great to see the NJM community in Hammonton rally around Chris as he prepares for the 2019 World Games."
Chris received a Congressional Commendation presented on behalf of United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Hammonton Business Administrator, Jerry Barberio and Atlantic County Surrogate, Jim Curcio provided remarks at the event and presented Chris with proclamations recognizing his achievements.
The Special Olympics World Games is touted as the largest humanitarian sports event to occur in 2019. In addition to Chris Wines, two other SONJ athletes will represent Special Olympics USA: Miranda Mendoza of North Arlington (Track and Field) and Jane Clark (Bowling) of South Orange. The Special Olympics USA delegation includes 216 athletes and 63 coaches from 45 states, competing in 18 sports. The World Games will take place March 14–21, 2019.
About Special Olympics New Jersey
For the past 50 years, Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) has provided 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. Through the power of sport, athletes 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. For more information, visit www.sonj.org.
About NJM Insurance Group
Founded in 1913, NJM operates in a mutual fashion for the exclusive benefit of its policyholders. One of the Company's core values is to support the communities it's privileged to serve, a value exercised through year-round employee volunteer efforts at local non-profits and a formal corporate giving program. The Company is New Jersey's premier writer of workers' compensation insurance in New Jersey and among the leaders in personal auto, homeowners, renters, and umbrella coverage. Headquartered in West Trenton, NJ, with locations in Hammonton and Parsippany, NJM employs nearly 2,500 workers. For more information, visit NJM.com.