Cranford Shark Finns Raising Funds for Special Olympics

Cranford Team Raising Funds for Giants “Snow
Bowl” to Benefit Special Olympics 

On Sunday, March 23, the Cranford Shark Finns will compete for
the third straight year in the 8th annual New York Giants Snow Bowl
to benefit the Special Olympics New Jersey (“SONJ”) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. 
This 6 on 6 flag football tournament has raised nearly $900,000 since
its inception to support SONJ. 

The team is named after Finn Morin, the three year old son
of Cranford residents Phil and Maureen
Morin.  Finn was born in 2011 with Down
syndrome and participates in the SONJ’s “Young Athlete Program”, which was
initiated by local Cranford resident Sally
Curci, who has two special needs children. 
 

The Young Athlete Program was
created to meet the physical and developmental needs of children, ages 2 ½ to
7. The goal of the class
is to help develop the skills needed to eventually compete in the Special
Olympics, which begins at age eight.

"Many people don’t realize that the SONJ has a “Young
Athlete Program” based in Cranford at the
Community Center,” said Phil Morin, a former Cranford Mayor.  

"Donations to SONJ help support these community
programs and other programs around New
Jersey.  We are
so proud to support the SONJ and we are grateful of the support from the Cranford community. 
So many friends of ours and our teammates, as well as community-minded
service organizations such as the Cranford Jaycees and Knights of Columbus,
have made donations to support the SONJ, including nearly $9,000 to date and
over $40,000 on behalf of the Shark Finns in the
last three years.”

Team members include Phil Morin, Bob Clausen, Ted Burke,
Paul Zissler, Joe Falso, Chuck Walter and John Theophilakos - all Cranford residents - as well as Dermot McLeer, Joe Asaro,
Joe Buffalano, John Passaro and Tom Rizzuto.  

A video about the Snow Bowl, SONJ and Finn can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb8WtRjiszs&feature=youtu.be

Donations to Special Olympics New Jersey can be made on
behalf of the Cranford Shark Finns at www.njsnowbowl.org/support and
clicking on the “Shark Finns” team name.

The mission of Special Olympics New Jersey is to provide
year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of
Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities,
giving them continuing opportunities to 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.