Ed Pacheco

Husband & Dad. President/CEO of @SORhodeIsland.

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

Excited to share that I have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for a mission-driven organization that has done so much good for the community. I am truly humbled to serve as the next leader of @SORhodeIsland. Inclusion starts with us.

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

Edwin R. Pacheco announced as the new President & CEO of Special Olympics Rhode Island. Ed will succeed Dennis DeJesus, who is retiring at the end of June. https://t.co/l4mHzDLPCz

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

Happy Holidays from all of us at @SORhodeIsland!

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

It’s Day 4 of Donut Week 2025!

Today I had the honor of joining two of the most inspiring athletes in the world at the @dunkindonuts in Garden City, Cranston. @SORhodeIsland athletes Emily McLaughlin and Brian Johnson helped spread cheer and share the exciting news about our partnership with Dunkin’. Now through December 13th, Dunkin’ will donate 25¢ for every donut sold to support our athletes.

Special thanks to Dunkin’ Franchisee George Zwiener along with his manager Alexia Vasquez and the entire Garden City team for hosting us!

Be sure to grab your donuts—and keep an eye out for us at your local Dunkin’! We’ll have gift cards and giveaways for all Special Olympics fans!

#sorirunsondunkin #Donutweek #ChooseToInclude

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

🍩 IT’S SPECIAL OLYMPICS DONUT WEEK! 🎉
Now–Dec 13, buy a donut at any RI @dunkindonuts and they’ll donate 25¢ per donut to support @SORhodeIsland athletes! 💙✨Treat yourself ➡️ Make a difference. 🙌#DonutWeek #SORIRunsOnDunkin #ChooseToInclude

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

It’s one of my favorite times of year… DONUT WEEK 2025 is here! Now through December 13, @dunkindonuts is donating 25 cents for every donut sold to support the athletes of @SORhodeIsland. Look for me at your local Dunkin’, and I might have a WICKED inclusive gift card for you! #DonutWeek #SORIRunsOnDunkin #ChooseToInclude

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

Grateful today and every day for our amazing athletes, families, volunteers & supporters who lift up the @SORhodeIsland community. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with joy and gratitude. 🧡🍁
#ThankfulTogether #ChooseToInclude

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

🎙️ DROP THE MIC — “BEYOND THE MEDAL” IS LIVE! 🙌
Our brand-new podcast, Beyond the Medal: Stories of Strength and Achievement, has officially launched! ⭐
Hosted by President & CEO @EdwinPacheco and our incredible athlete co-hosts, each episode highlights powerful stories and personal triumphs from across the Special Olympics movement.

Kicking off Episode 1 with an inspiring first guest: @TimShriver ✨ Chairman of Special Olympics International and son of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Huge thanks to:
🎵 Phil Vincent — theme song collaboration + amazing vocals
🎬 Tom Strolla & Mike Davis (@NEInstituteTech) — production support + studio help

🔗 Watch now and be inspired… Beyond the Medal!
https://t.co/YDEYwoJosL

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

Our Golden Year is here! ✨🐧 Join the 50th Annual Penguin Plunge and make a splash for @SORhodeIsland athletes! ❄️💙 Plunge solo or build your team — either way, we want YOU!
Register: https://t.co/udMwBhsAmE

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

Be a part of history! Register today to celebrate 50 years of tradition and philanthropy — all to benefit the athletes of @SORhodeIsland.
#SpecialOlympicsRI #PenguinPlunge #50YearsStrong #GoldenAnniversary

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

✨🐧 The Countdown to GOLD is on! 🥇❄️
Only 56 days until the 50th Annual Penguin Plunge on Jan 1, 2026 at Scarborough State Beach! This golden milestone is a true bucket list plunge. 💛🐧

✅ Register now and be part of history while supporting @SORhodeIsland athletes!👉 https://t.co/L0t8OlclVs

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

ICYMI Friday — I’m a little behind on my social media game, but I would have been remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to one of our North "Star" athletes, Miss Veronica Medici.

Veronica burst onto the scene just over a year ago when she spoke at @SORhodeIsland's Savor the Flavor event. She shared that, prior to joining the Special Olympics movement, she often felt like she didn’t belong. That all changed when she began her Special Olympics journey. Today, Veronica not only competes but also uses her story to inspire others.

Learn more about Veronica and her fellow athlete leaders at the link below!

#SpecialOlympics #LetThemLead

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

🌟 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: MEET VERONICA MEDICI! 🌟
Since joining @SORhodeIsland in March 2024, Veronica has been unstoppable — competing with the North Stars & Bristol Baysiders, surfing, stepping into leadership, studying at CCRI & more! 💪 Read her story here 👉 https://t.co/J9wd0Vjg3Z

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

ICYMI Thursday!

Nikolas Simijis is full of life and has a lot to say! Nik competes in a multitude of sports, from flag football to soccer, and is a proud graduate of @SORhodeIsland’s Athlete Leadership University. But Nik has another big aspiration: he dreams of talking sports on radio or TV. He shared with me some time ago that this has always been his passion.

So keep an eye out — or better yet, an ear — for Nik as he works toward making his dream a reality!

Learn more about Nik's story along with his fellow athlete leaders by clicking the link below!

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

🌟 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: NIKOLAS SIMIJIS! 🌟
Nik has spent nearly 10 years with the Cranston Cyclones — competing in 7 sports— and building confidence through leadership & new friendships. 💪✨
See how he even brings his 🇬🇷 heritage to the dance floor 🕺➡️ https://t.co/NnFIcbBaDt

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

Wishing Stephanie Barlow the best of luck as she takes on the challenge of shooting free throws for 24 hours straight! I’ll be there cheering her on—and taking a few shots myself. Donate, cheer, or stop by to show your support for Steph as she raises awareness and funds for the athletes of @SORhodeIsland.

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

🏀 24 HOURS. 100 FREE THROWS. EVERY HOUR.
Stephanie (Coro) Barlow celebrates 5️⃣ years of Nothing But Net — raising funds 💙 for @SORhodeIsland athletes!
⏱️ 1 PM Sept. 13 – 12 PM Sept. 14
🙏 Donate now: https://t.co/0SVGZspv6T

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

As someone who grew up playing hockey and being a fan of the game, I am beyond excited about today’s announcement. Two iconic sports organizations have come together with one simple goal: to invite Special Olympics Rhode Island athletes to take part in the sport we all love!

Floorball is now officially the 29th sport offered by @SORhodeIsland — an accomplishment made possible by our friends at the @AHLBruins, along with the amazing people who work tirelessly behind the scenes every day.

Shout-out to Stephanie Parillo, Jeff Hagan, Assistant Coach Trent Whitfield, and the entire Bruins organization for their support. And a BIG thank-you to our very own Steph Palladini, Rick LaBreche, and Dawn Ratté for all their hard work. I can’t wait to celebrate our athletes alongside you!

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

Today at The AMP, we joined the @AHLBruins to unveil a new partnership introducing Floorball as the 29th sport for @SORhodeIsland athletes! 🏑✨

🙌 P-Bruins players & staff will help lead our first 6-week clinic.
🎉 Oct 3: P-Bruins vs Springfield w/ SORI as game-night partner!
🎟️ $30 Ticket + Co-Branded Hat 👉 https://t.co/MuqISxk4vj
💙 Proceeds support SORI & our Floorball program!
⚠️Registered Floorball athletes—your seats & hats are already set aside.

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

ICYMI Tuesday!

When smiles and laughter are hard to come by, look no further than Jacqueline Gladu. Jacqueline's enthusiasm for life is so contagious, it’s hard to imagine ever having a bad day around her. During her time as a student with Athlete Leadership University, Jacqueline demonstrated remarkable attention to detail—so much so that she earned the Superlative Award for Most Organized. Jacqueline is a wonderful ambassador for the @SORhodeIsland movement. Check out her story, along with those of her fellow athletes, using the link below.

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

🌟 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: MEET JACQUELINE GLADU! 🌟
A member of the South County Stingrays since 2022, Jacqueline loves bowling 🎳, growing as a leader through ALU, and making new friends. Read her full story 👉 https://t.co/hU5uUrA5kU

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

👀 Did you see us on @Studio10WJAR yesterday? 📺
Big thanks to host Mario Hilario for featuring our President & CEO, @EdwinPacheco, and Michelle Lizotte of Under the Willow Bakery, as they previewed Savor the Flavors of RI! 🍴✨Watch the segment below. Then, get tickets and join us Oct. 2 + support our athletes ❤️

STUDIO 10: https://t.co/SpYigc8ZC0

TICKETS:
👉 https://t.co/n3O1vuy0En

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

The count down to January 1, 2026 begins today. Are you in?

#50yearanniversary #PenguinPlunge #SpecialOlympics

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

Today’s forecast: 90° and sunny ☀️.
January 1, 2026’s forecast: YOU… diving into icy waves 🌊❄️
Will you be part of our 50th Golden Penguin Plunge? 🐧💛

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

In 2024, we saw countless moments where @SORhodeIsland athletes broke barriers, inspired fans, and proved what’s possible when people believe in one another.

From the determination on the track to the cheers from the stands, each moment was powered by the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and supporters who chose to stand for acceptance, respect, and inclusion.

These aren’t just achievements—they are life-changing experiences that ripple across families, and communities.

I’m excited to share our 2024 Annual Report, featuring a few highlights and milestones along with the incredible impact we achieved together that made this year unforgettable.

📄 Explore the 2024 Annual Report here: https://t.co/kwZNmbJxh4

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

Shaun Perez is a quiet yet confident leader. He is always one of the first to greet others with a smile and a friendly hello. Never seeking attention, Shaun understands the importance of helping others discover their true potential. In addition to being an exceptional athlete, he is also a recent graduate of Athlete Leader University. I can't wait to see what he does next.

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

⭐ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: SHAUN PEREZ ⭐
For 9 years, Shaun has been a talented athlete in 8 sports and a leader who inspires others to join @SORhodeIsland .💙He says it’s changed his life in the best way—and it can change yours too. Read his story here: 👉https://t.co/45HeloH6tO

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

ICYMI Thursday! GiGi is one of a kind. Not only does she remember everyone’s birthday, but she also makes personalized gifts to celebrate those special occasions. She is an inspirational leader within the @SORhodeIsland community and represents the true spirit of acceptance and respect for all. Join me in celebrating GiGi and her fellow athletes!

[Special Olympics RI @SORhodeIsland]

✨ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: MEET GABRIELLE GILIOTTI! ✨
Known to many as Gigi, she’s a proud @SORhodeIsland athlete of 25 years, a leader on and off the court and field, and known for her heart of gold 💛. She’s part of the North Kingstown team, works at CVS, and always puts others first. 👉 https://t.co/PfJEESej9L

[Ed Pacheco @EdwinPacheco]

Congratulations to my friend and fellow Rhode Islander, @D_EvangelistaSO, on being selected to succeed @MaryDavisSO as President and CEO of @SpecialOlympics! And thank you, Mary, for your longstanding impact and dedicated stewardship.

Rhode Island looks forward to David’s leadership and the opportunity to work alongside him to advance the mission of Special Olympics and create exceptional experiences for athletes around the world.

#SpecialOlympics @SORhodeIsland