PARSIPPANY, NJ— June 3, 2025 — Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) has announced that its 35th Annual Golf Classic raised $118,000 in support of Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ), continuing a long-standing tradition of helping athletes with intellectual disabilities achieve their dreams through sports.

Over three decades, Delta Dental’s Golf Classic has contributed nearly $1.95 million to SONJ, helping thousands of athletes benefit from year-round sports training and competition. This year’s event was held at the Morris County Golf Club, where 93 golfers hit the course for this special cause.

“It’s an honor to lead an organization that has remained committed to Special Olympics New Jersey for 35 years, and I’m thankful to have sponsors and participants that show up each year for Special Olympics and make this event so meaningful,” said Paul Di Maio, President and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey. “Special Olympics is a valued partner, and we are honored to play a part in ensuring athletes experience the spirit of competition, grow, connect, and thrive with their peers at no cost to them or their families.”

Delta Dental’s support of Special Olympics extends far beyond the Golf Classic. Their commitment includes associate volunteers at both the Winter and Summer Games, as well as charitable support through the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Delta Dental’s philanthropic arm. The Foundation plays a key role in funding Special Smiles—a vital part of the Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) Healthy Athletes initiative—which provides athletes with free dental care. Since 2020, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation has contributed $70,000 in grants to support Special Smiles.

"We take great pride in our ongoing partnership with Delta Dental and their steadfast support of Special Olympics New Jersey," said Heather Andersen, President and CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey. "Their commitment is evident through initiatives like the annual golf outing and year-round collaboration, which enable us to offer sports training and athletic competition to thousands of athletes across the Garden State free of charge.”

The 2025 event featured a day of golf, camaraderie, and celebration, including exciting raffle prizes donated by various organizations, including Just Jersey, the New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall Basketball, VSP Vision Care, and Crystal Springs. Golfer gifts included Bushnell GPS Mini Wingman Speakers, and Steve Adubato, broadcaster, author, leadership coach, and an Emmy® Award-winning anchor emceed the event again this year.  

Sponsors for the 2025 Golf Classic included:

·         Presenting Anniversary Sponsor – 8 West Consulting

·         Healthy Golfer Sponsor – Atlantic Health System

·         Innovator Sponsor – Optum

·         Special Anniversary Sponsor – MikeWorldWide

·         Legacy Sponsor – Brown & Brown

·         Smile Power Sponsor – Delta Dental Board of Trustees and Management Team

·         We Love to See You Smile Sponsor – Dennis and Dona Wilson

Photo highlights from this year’s event can be found here.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 2.1 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs.

Offering dental benefits since 1969, Delta Dental of New Jersey's mission is to promote oral health to the greatest number of people by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality, service, and value. We are a not-for-profit service corporation and, as a member of Delta Dental Plans Association, we're part of a network that provides national dental coverage to more than 90 million Americans. For more information, visit DeltaDentalNJ.com.

About Special Olympics New Jersey

For over 55 years, Special Olympics New Jersey has provided year-round sports training and athletic competition in 22 Olympic-type sports for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge.  Through the joy and power of sports, athletes are provided opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Visit www.sonj.org for more information.