THOMASTON, CT – On Sunday, March 11, 2012, the “Ward Leonard Warriors” plunged into the chilly water of Lake Quassy in Middlebury, CT, after raising a total of $1,450, exceeding their goal of $1,000, to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut.

“Warriors” team members representing the company at the annual Middlebury Penguin Plunge were:  Bill Black, Vice President of Engineering; Garry Gulledge, Mechanical Design Engineer; Peter Lussier, Service/Repair/Warranty; and Stephen Philbrick, Document Control Lead.   They solicited donations from family, friends and local businesses in order to take the plunge.  The 2011- 12 Penguin Plunge included thousands of participants state-wide, in a total of ten different Connecticut lakes.

Stephen Philbrick, who plunged into Lake Quassy for his first year in the event, said it was a great experience and expressed many thanks to the people who sponsored him.

Special Olympics Connecticut organizes year-round programs of sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities, giving them continual opportunities to develop physical fitness and demonstrate courage, skills and friendship with other Special Olympics athletes and the community.