| |
| 
April 14, 2016 |
LEON JESSEMAN:
Remembering the Million Dollar Man
June 19, 1950 - April 8, 2016
 It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our friend Leon Jesseman.
Leon Jesseman was no ordinary person. To those who knew him, he was a kin
d, caring individual with a passion for volunteering. To his colleagues, he was a Market Manager at Circle K. To Special Olympics New Hampshire, he was the million dollar man. Jesseman founded the Fueling Dreams promotion, a collaboration between Circle K, Irving Oil, Law Enforcement and Special Olympics that has raised $1,616,667 to date for Special Olympics New Hampshire.
In April of 1999, Jesseman, who then worked at the Laconia Irving store, was approached by Mary Conroy. The two decided to solicit the help of local law enforcement to pump gas for patrons while soliciting donations to support SONH in the first Fueling Dreams promotion. That year, Laconia's Irving raised $1,500.
Jesseman was excited about the event, but knew it could do better. With the support of Officer Gary Hubbard of the Laconia Police Department, the second year raised $2,558. By 2002, Jesseman worked with the entire region to bring Fueling Dreams to Irving (and later Circle K) stores throughout New Hampshire, increasing the funds raised to $26,701. The addition of cling sales two years later grew the event to $67,000.
But Jesseman didn't stop there. When attending the State Summer Games, he walked around the fields and noticed the joy and excitement of athletes and parents alike. "It was amazing to see the bocce players so happy," Jesseman said.
Today, Circle K and Irving employees volunteer their time to run Bocce Stadium at the State Summer Games, Category 2 Snowshoe at Winter Games and the Fueling Dreams promotion is still going strong. Last year, Circle K and Irving raised nearly $250,000 for Special Olympics New Hampshire.
Special Olympics New Hampshire has established the Leon Jesseman Fundraising Award in Leon's honor. The award will be given annually to the individual with the most unique, creative and successful fundraiser.
|
|
COMPETITION:
Upcoming Agon Dates to Remember
| Thursday, Apr 14th |
Area Swim Meet: Registration ends |
| Wednesday, Apr 20th |
Area Swim Meet: Coaches Conference Call |
| Thursday, Apr 21st |
Area Summer Games: Intent to Participate Ends |
| Wednesday, Apr 27th |
Monadnok Area Summer Games: Coaches Conference Call |
| Thursday, Apr 28th |
Monadnock Area Summer Games: Registration Ends
State Summer Games: Season Q&A Conference Call |
| Wednesday, May 4th |
Lower Merrimack Area Summer Games: Coaches Conference Call
Seacoast Area Summer Games: Coaches Conference Call
Upper Valley Area Summer Games: Coaches Conference Call |
| Thursday, May 5th |
Area Summer Games: Registration Ends
State Summer Games: Intent to Participate Ends |
| Wednesday, May 11th |
Great North Woods Area Summer Games: Coaches Conference Call |
| Wednesday, May 25th |
State Summer Games: Coaches Conference Call |
| Thursday, May 26th |
State Summer Games: Registration Ends |
|
PREP SCHOOL PLUNGE
Check out this video of the 2nd Annual Prep School Plunge which took place at the Margate in Laconia on Sunday, April 10th.
|
BOSTON MARATHON:
Meet Jamie Staton's Virtual Running Team!
Jamie Staton is running the 120th Boston Marathon on Monday to benefit SONH. To show our support for Jamie, we will feature one athlete as Jamie's virtual partner on social media for each of his 26 miles. Meet the first 20 below...and stayed tuned to meet the final six!
|
|
PROJECT UNIFY:
Dover High School Unified Semi-Formal
100 students from Dover High School, Oyster River High School and Spaulding High School attended the 5th Annual Unified Semi-Formal on March 20th. This years theme was Black and Gold go Bruins!
|
2017 WORLD WINTER GAMES:
Officials Needed
Applications are now being accepted for Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating and Snowshoeing. All applicants must be currently active officials in Good Standing with their respective Special Olympics Programs. Applicants must be certified by the respective sport federation. Special Olympics athletes as officials and their mentors are strongly encouraged to apply. Application deadline is May 1, 2016.
|
WANT TO GO TO THE CIRCUS?
We have complementary vouchers for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus on Thursday May, 5th at 7:00pm at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester.
If you would like tickets, please email Pam Langille. Be sure to include: you name, number of tickets requested and a mailing address to send the voucher(s).
Tickets are limited. First come, first served.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, April 24th
Greater Manchester Area Swim Meet
Manchester
|
Saturday, May 7th
Monadnock Area Summer Games
Keene
|
Saturday, May 14th
Lower Merrimack Area Sum Games
Londonderry
|
Saturday, May 14th
Upper Valley Area Summer Games
Hanover
|
Sunday, May 15th
Seacoast Area Summer Games
Exeter
|
Sunday, May 22nd
Great North Woods Area Sum Games
|
Fri, June 3rd - Sat, June 4th
State Summer Games
Durham
|
|
|
| MISSION PARTNERS Special Olympics New Hampshire is grateful for the annual support of our Mission Partners who help bring our programs to life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
