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Episode 41: Keith Moon and Special Olympics, CT
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In this episode of Main Street Moxie, Keith Moon shares stories about his longstanding involvement with Special Olympics, an organization with moxie built into its DNA.
Keith’s secret moxie sauce is recognizing a need and then finding a way to use his talents and skills to make a difference. He enjoys bringing people and organizations together to accomplish a larger goal.
Keith's involvement in Special Olympics began when he read an appeal in the Hartford Courant to raise needed funds for the organization. His response: “I can do that.” Using his position as the boys’ swim coach at the Hotchkiss School, he organized a swimathon that raised $4,000. That was 30 years ago, and he’s organized one every year since; to date, the Swimathon has raised over $250,000 for Special Olympics. Working with colleagues, students, and the local community, he has expanded the reach of the Swimathon and branched out into athletic competitions in other sports.
Keith has remained an enthusiastic supporter of the Special Olympics mission of creating athletic competitions that promote the development of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their inclusion in society. Keith’s nine-year tenure on the board of Special Olympics Connecticut has also given him insight into the moxie of the athletes and their families. The athletes' determination, competitive joy, and focus on what they can do–not their limitations–fuel his dedication to the Special Olympians.
In 2022, after Russia attacked Ukraine, he helped form a partnership between Special Olympics Connecticut and Special Olympics Slovakia, to create a Dream Day Center for Ukrainian refugee children born with intellectual disabilities and their families. At this year’s 30th annual Hotchkiss Swimathon, four Slovakian coaches and four Special Olympics Slovakia athletes will make the swim across Lake Wononscopomuc and back on September 7, 2024.
Keith has been an instructor of Russian history and literature at the Hotchkiss School since 1989 and a volunteer instructor in those subjects for Noble Horizons Retirement Community since 2012. In 2019, he was awarded the school’s Lufkin Prize, which honors faculty for their excellence, commitment, moral leadership, and service to the community.
If you’d like to learn more about Swimathon and how you can get involved and contribute, email kmoon@hotchkiss.org.
This episode of Main Street Moxie is proudly sponsored by Elyse Harney Real Estate.
Resources
Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics
NobleHorizons Blog: Keith Moon: Raising People Up
Lufkin Prize Speech
Social Media
Special Olympics Connecticut Facebook
Special Olympics Connecticut Instagram
Special Olympics Connecticut YouTube
Special Olympics Connecticut LinkedIn
Hotchkiss School Instagram
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