Pioneer partners with Special Olympics New York to host Unified Bocce Tournament
For Release: Immediate – Friday, April 18, 2025
Pioneer and Special Olympics New York Host Unified Bocce Tournament
Furthering the Pioneer Charitable Foundation’s 2025 sponsorship of Special Olympics NY, unique event promoted social inclusion between individuals with and without intellectual disabilities
Albany, NY – Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBFS) (“Pioneer”), a leading financial institution in New York’s Capital Region, and Special Olympics New York joined forces this week to host a first-ever event: a Unified Bocce Tournament that showcased the power of sport to bring people together.
Gathering on Thursday, April 17 at Pioneer’s headquarters on Albany Shaker Road in Colonie, NY, 32 players – 16 from Pioneer and 16 from Special Olympics NY – competed on unified teams for gold, silver and bronze medals. Special Olympics Unified Sports® pair individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to compete as teammates, promoting social inclusion and friendship through sport.
The Bocce Tournament is the latest event underwritten by a $20,000 sponsorship provided by the Pioneer Charitable Foundation to Special Olympics NY for 2025, with the majority of funding supporting the Unified Sports program.
“To witness the passion, determination, and spirit of the athletes from Special Olympics New York is truly an inspiration,” said Tom Amell, President and CEO of Pioneer. “We are humbled to play a small role in supporting this outstanding organization that has a profound impact on the lives of so many families, friends, and members of our community.”
“Special Olympics New York athletes in the Capital Region have come to know our partners at Pioneer by name over the last year, because they keep showing up – not only financially, but in person – to cheer our athletes on,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York. “We are so grateful to the Pioneer Charitable Foundation and the many Pioneer employees who have immersed themselves in our movement to inclusion.”
Pioneer’s donation to Special Olympics NY’s Unified Sports program helps to subsidize the cost of equipment and rental space for competitions. Previously, a portion of the sponsorship helped support a Polar Plunge fundraiser held last November in Lake George, with participating Pioneer employees contributing another $2,500 in individual fundraising to further the cause.
Founded in 2018 with a mission of “Helping Kids be Kids,” the Pioneer Charitable Foundation has provided $1.9 million to more than 400 local nonprofits that serve vulnerable children in the Capital Region, from housing, nutrition and health care assistance to educational, social and recreational programs. In addition, Pioneer employees have contributed over 16,000 hours in local volunteer service.
To learn more about the Pioneer Charitable Foundation, and/or make a secure online donation, visit www.pioneerny.com/community.
To learn more about Special Olympics New York, visit https://www.specialolympics-ny.org/.
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About Pioneer
As a leading financial institution in New York’s Capital Region, Pioneer has more than $1.8 billion in assets and operates 22 branches locally. Recognized as a “Best Places to Work” by the Albany Business Review for 12 years running, Pioneer delivers a world-class working environment for its employees and is continually evolving to meet the needs of its customers by offering new products, services and leading technologies. Pioneer is committed to giving back to the communities in which it serves through the Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation, which provides resources to nonprofit organizations that help improve the quality of life for children in the Capital Region. For more information on Pioneer, please visit www.pioneerny.com.
About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 45,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 300 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com and a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.