The extraordinary power of sports is on full display every year at the Special Olympics Connecticut Winter Games, and it takes a herculean effort by dozens of dedicated Eversource employees to ensure that the weekend of competition goes off without a hitch for the athletes. Being a leading community partner starts with the company’s dedicated employees, who spend thousands of hours every year supporting charitable events that benefit local nonprofit organizations and make a positive impact in the lives of customers. For veteran volunteers Tracey Alston and Nicole Aparo, they know the key to putting on a successful event is collaboration – making it no surprise that when presented with an opportunity to take over planning the events Eversource hosts for the Winter Games, they decided to take it on together.

Nicole Aparo and Tracey Alston

“Our planning committee is so strong – we’re like a family,” said Alston. “I’ve been fortunate enough to volunteer alongside Nicole in different roles throughout the years, so when we decided to team up and take on this leadership role, it made me feel really confident knowing we’d be in it together.”  

Alston and Aparo stepped up to head the planning committee this year after the retirement of longtime leader Luann Cataudella, who successfully guided Eversource’s preparations for the Winter Games for 17 years. It’s a full-circle moment, as Cataudella was the one who recruited both Alston and Aparo, helping them discover their love for volunteering nearly 15 years ago.

“I’ve worked with both Nicole and Tracey for years, and I’m so proud to see them take the next step in their volunteering for Special Olympics Connecticut Winter Games,” said Cataudella. “There’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll do a fantastic job leading the planning committee and all that goes into making this weekend so special for the athletes.”

From making snow for the courses and organizing the award ceremonies to setting up the Olympic Village and ordering all the food and hot chocolate for the athletes and their families, there’s a lot to do during the months of preparations for the Winter Games. It’s a labor of love that Alston and Aparo say is made possible with that teamwork mentality.

“Most of the volunteers on the planning committee have been doing it for a long time. They make our jobs easy because they’re so well-versed in their roles,” said Aparo.

“Because they’re so experienced and self-sufficient, it allows us to focus on making sure they have the resources and support they need,” Alston continued. “We’re always in constant communication with each other, and if anything unexpected comes up, we just tackle it as we go.”

No matter how many tasks need to be crossed off the to-do list before the opening ceremony, both Alston and Aparo agree that the greatest reward is not just empowering the athletes, but how the athletes empower all of the volunteers in return.

“I love being with the athletes. When they remember you year after year, it’s just the coolest thing,” said Alston. “I used to have one athlete who was half my height and now she towers over me. We’re helping them grow and succeed, and there’s no better feeling than seeing how big of an impact we can make with our support.”  

“The weather may be cold during the weekend of the games, but the adrenaline and excitement warms your heart,” said Aparo. “As soon as you see the big smiles on the athletes’ faces, the feeling of joy completely takes over.”

Nearly 200 athletes of all ages from across Connecticut will compete in snowshoeing and cross-country skiing this Saturday and Sunday. Special Olympics Connecticut is one of many community organizations with events that Eversource sponsors throughout the year.

“We’re very fortunate to work for a company that encourages volunteerism and supporting the communities we serve – I think it speaks volumes about who we are as a business,” said Alston. “We’re the ones walking away the winners just for being able to experience this,” Aparo added.

Visit Special Olympics Connecticut for more information about the Winter Games, and follow our live coverage of the event on X and Facebook.