Skip to main content
Enter search terms below…

Member News

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 Regionfrom 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/.

   

#####

 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [email protected] (518) 605-4497   ALBANY, N.Y. – May 28, 2025 – For the fifth year in a row – and the eighth time in the past nine years – CDPHP has been ranked #1 in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in New York by J.D. Power, a global leader in consumer insights and analytics. The J.D. Power…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nicole Frisbee, VP/Chief Administrative Officer National Bank of Coxsackie [email protected] | (518) 731-6161                                                                                                      National Bank of Coxsackie Announces…
“City of Rensselaer is 1 of 10 Communities in New York State to Receive US EPA Grant”   RENSSELAER, N.Y. (March 19, 2025) – The City of Rensselaer recently learned it is one of ten communities in New York State to receive a Brownfield Assessment and Clean Up Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency. "The brownfield grants are essential…
Jun
05
The Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Alzheimer's Association to host an educational program for Understanding…
Thursday, June 5th, 8:30-9:30am
Jun
11
The 1 Million Cups Monthly Meetings are happening throughout 2025 in the Chamber's 1st Floor Conference Room! Held every second Wednesday of the month,…
9:00am-10:00am
Jun
12
Join us for a special combined anniversary celebration as the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce marks 125 years and the Colonie Chamber of…
Boarding: 5PM | Ride: 5:30PM-8:30PM