Episode #107: Feeney Talks with Mike Mason

Show Notes

#BeAGoodFriend and check out episode #107 of #FeeneyTalksWithFriends featuring Mike Mason.  

It was great to talk with my #friend, Mike.  

Mike is the President and CEO of the Special Olympics Connecticut.  

We talked about:

Christy Miller is a good #friend (1.00)

Being President and CEO (minute 2.30)

Podcast Sponsors (minute 4.40)

3 Keys (sponsored by West Hartford Lock) to being a great President/CEO (minute 5.20)

Beau Doherty (minute 7)

Unified Sports (minute 8.30)

Events: First, Last, Best, Worst (minute 10.20)

Mike’s three sons volunteer or “voluntold” (minute 19)

Bozzutos (minute 22)

Dream Ride on August 25-27 (minute 24)

Chloe Roberts (minute 26.40)

Unified Skiing Program (minute (minute 28.40)

Sponsors for Special Olympics Connecticut (minute 30)

Renee DiNino is a great #friend! (minute 34)

WWE and The Big Show (minute 36.20)

Bob Maxon (minute 37.40)

Connecticut has the most "Unified Champion" Banners in the country  (minute 40)

The Torch Run (minute 42)

Special Olympics is the largest provider for healthcare screenings in the world (minute 44)

Strong Minds, Special Smiles & Opening Eyes (minute 46)

Hartford Yard Goats (minute 52)

The Summer Games (minute 53.20)

Southern Connecticut State University (minute 56)

Mike’s favorite teacher (minute 58.30)

Hillside School in Naugatuck is in the Guinness Book of World Records (minute 1.00)

The Naugatuck Memorial Day Parade (minute 1.03)

Ella Niski and the Naugatuck VFW (minute 1.05)

Dave Portnoy visited John’s Pizza in Naugatuck (minute 1.07)

Closing remarks (minute 1.10)

Podcast Sponsors: 

Donut Crazy - www.donutcrazy.com

The Fix IV - www.thefixivtherapy.com

West Hartford Lock - www.westhartfordlock.com

Keating Agency Insurance - www.keatingagency.com

Goff Law Group - www.gofflawgroup.net

Parkville Management - www.parkvillemanagement.com

Luna Pizza - www.lunapizzawh.com/lunas-menu

PeoplesBank - www.bankatpeoples.com

Creators and Guests

Host

Eric Feeney

After teaching for nearly a decade at his alma mater in Waterbury, in 2014, Eric Feeney began teaching at Wolcott Elementary in West Hartford. Shortly following, Sam Sohn, the father of one of his students, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He left behind four beautiful children and a loving wife, Nancy Wallace-Sohn. Eric saw first-hand the toll this took on the family as they navigated their way through this unthinkable tragedy. The following year, Rashad Collier Sr., another father of a student in Eric’s class, passed away in Hartford as a result of gun violence. Rashad left behind two fantastic children and a loving wife, Denise Villegas. The impact of these tragedies weighed on Eric and motivated him to build an organization that could provide assistance for similar situations. With that, Friends of Feeney was born. In 2019, Friends of Feeney Inc. became an official 501©(3) nonprofit organization, allowing more funds to be raised and expanding the range of services provided to children and families in need. Today, over a decade since Eric’s idea to build a community organization dedicated to supporting our friends in need, Friends of Feeney has burgeoned into a reputable and recognized organization capable of providing financial and resource support to numerous families and individuals across greater Hartford and beyond. Through this work, an incredible community of children and families has been recognized, who care for and appreciate each other’s kindness.

Producer

David Chmielewski

David started his video career in the early 1990s working on video crews as an independent contractor for such companies as Martha Stewart Living, IBM and Xerox. After graduating Southern Connecticut State University with the degree in Corporate Communications, David continued his video production career and accepted a position at WFSB in Hartford, CT. Within a few years the news and production studios became his charge and David designed, installed and maintained the televisions sets for the various programs at the station. At the end of 2013 David founded DirectLine Media, a video production company that specializes in creating memorable and compelling video content for businesses.

Editor

Stefania Sassano

Stefania's acting journey began as early as the fourth grade, where she took on the role of Scarlett O'Hara in a stage production of Gone With the Wind. This early experience sparked a lifelong passion for the arts. With a background in musical theater fueled by her love of music and singing, Stefania stepped into larger roles, such as Fraulein Kost in Cabaret during her sophomore year at the University of New Haven. This performance earned her a nomination for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival—an honor she would receive again in her junior year.

What is Feeney Talks With Friends?

Eric Feeney talks with #friends! Eric is the founder of the nonprofit organization Friends of Feeney. Their mission is to help children and families who need assistance after heartbreak and tragedy. www.friendsoffeeney.com