For Immediate Release

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Winthrop Police Association and WINARC Partner to Host 25th Annual Driscoll Mahegan Track and Field Invitational

Event Serves as an All-Inclusive Day of Fun for Athletes With Disabilities

WINTHROP — Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty and the Winthrop Police Department are pleased to share that hundreds of community members attended the 25th Annual Driscoll Mahegan Track and Field Invitational today.

The annual Winthrop Special Olympics event was held on Miller Field, and was organized by Winthrop Advocacy, Resources, Community (WINARC), and the Winthrop Police Association.

WINARC is a nonprofit organization that works to provide social and recreational opportunities to people with intellectual and physical disabilities, as well as programming to support the needs of those individuals. WINARC supports from Winthrop and the neighboring communities of East Boston,Chelsea, Revere, and Lynn.

This year’s event kicked off with a police motorcade consisting of a variety of vehicles from the Winthrop, Lynnfield and Everett Police Departments, as well as the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. The law enforcement representatives were joined along the parade route by Special Olympics athletes and and the VFW Post 148 Color Guard.

The annual event had long been organized by Winthrop Police Detective Michael Delehanty, who passed away earlier this year. Today’s event was held in celebration of Detective Delehanty’s life, and his numerous years of service to the Winthrop community.

“This event meant so much to Detective Delehanty,” said Sgt. Mary Crisafi, a member of the Winthrop Police Department who helped plan this year’s event. “It meant that much because he cared deeply about the community, supporting those with intellectual and physical disabilities, and fostering a strong relationship between the police department and WINARC. The greatest thing about the event is that it’s a welcoming and all-inclusive event where everyone can come together to support the athletes and have fun.

To mark the start of the Invitational, athletes broke through a banner made by Winthrop Middle School student council members. The Winthrop High School football team helped set up before the event and were active cheerleaders during the event. The event also included a free barbecue, cotton candy, music and balloons.

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