Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion

02/24/2025

Tune in tomorrow night to learn about this amazing program for teenage girls!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion, tomorrow night, Feb. 25th at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Host Holly Flanagan will be joined by Kristie Dean, Founder & Executive Director of The Soulful Girls Club, along with their Manager, Lyn Fitzgerald. (The Soul Project)

The Soulful Girls Club is an empowering community just for teenage girls with intellectual and developmental differences to create, move, and connect.

Their carefully curated monthly events provide a variety of activities for girls with varying interests and abilities, constantly building opportunities to create and move. The girls develop meaningful connections with peers and discover they have a place all their own, where they are seen and valued precisely as they are.

This free program is run by caring staff and volunteers. For more information, visit their website: thesoulproject. co/soulful-girls-club

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

02/22/2025

Are you ready to take the Plunge for The Great Blizz tomorrow? We are! 😀❄️

We can't wait to take the PLUNGE tomorrow! ❄️🌊

Join us this Sunday, February 23rd at Craigville Beach for the Inaugural POLAR SELTZER Plunge—a bone-chilling, heartwarming fundraiser to support The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts Special Hockey! 🏒❤️

👕 Donate $25 or more to take the plunge AND snag an exclusive event T-shirt! Not ready to dive in? No worries—you can "buy your way out" and still support the cause!

Come early for the fun! Here are the details:

🕛 Registration/check-in begins at 11:00 AM. Plunge at noon.

🏆 Prizes for top fundraisers & best costumes in the categories below—think penguins, polar bears, or your most creative winter look!

• Polar Ice Cap Award – Top Fundraiser
• Arctic Circle Award – Top Fundraising Group
• Snow Cone Award – Best Individual Costume
• Icicles Award – Best Group Costume
• Frozen Custard Award – Oldest Penguin
• Snow Days Off Award – Top Fundraising School Group
• Storm Hero Award – Top Fundraising Public Safety Group
• On the Rocks Award – Top Fundraising Bar/Restaurant

🎶 Enjoy music & more!

🎟 Register now at Eventbrite and help us make waves for The Great Blizz! https://bit.ly/GBPolarSeltzerPlunge

02/18/2025

Tune in tonight at 6:15PM to learn about ConfiKids Inc.!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion TONIGHT, Feb. 18th at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Host Holly Flanagan will be joined by Rachel Calabrese, founder of ConfiKids, Inc.,

ConfiKids, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing opportunities for children of limited financial means to participate in enrichment activities so that they may pursue their interests and passions, develop new skills, establish new relationships, and, ultimately, build confidence.

Rachel Calabrese founded ConfiKids drawing from her own childhood experiences. Despite her passion for dance, financial constraints forced her to discontinue lessons, impacting her self-confidence and social connections. As an adult working as a marketing professional in various non-profit roles, Rachel witnessed the need firsthand as families struggled to financially cover recreational programs for their children.

Responding to this gap, she quietly raised funds to offer scholarships for activity-based programs, recognizing the vital role such opportunities play in children's social development and confidence-building. In 2016, Rachel left her career supporting other non-profits to establish ConfiKids, Inc. and officially launched scholarship initiatives in 2017.

Visit confikids.org to learn more.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

02/15/2025

Please check out this important update about the Polar Seltzer Plunge, which has been postponed to Feb. 23.

02/13/2025

An update on the Polar Seltzer Plunge this Sunday.

📣 POLAR SELTZER PLUNGE UPDATE!

We are watching the weather for this Sunday’s Polar Seltzer Plunge, and it should be fine with just occasional rain. However, if that changes and it is determined that it would be unsafe to have the event on Sunday, we do have a rain date. Either way, we will announce the status of the event on Saturday at 4PM on Facebook, Instagram, and on our website, thegreatblizz.org

02/11/2025

Lots of great events coming up! Tune in tonight at 6:15 for details!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion TONIGHT, Feb. 11th at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Host Steve Nearman will be joined by:

Bill Wedge, Great Blizz Board Member and Team Photographer

Pat Lentil of Second Summer Cycle, a nonprofit charity cycling event that benefits multiple Cape Cod nonprofits.

We’ll discuss some of the great events coming up, along with one that just happened:

🌟 The Great Blizz trip to Ocean City, MD to play in a tournament

🌟 The upcoming Adaptive Hockey Day on Feb. 23rd

🌟 SHI Boston 2025 Tournament, April 24-26

🌟 The Great Blizz’s participation in this fall’s Second Summer Cycle

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

02/11/2025

Take the PLUNGE for a great cause! ❄️🌊

Join us this Sunday, February 16th at Craigville Beach for the Inaugural POLAR SELTZER Plunge—a bone-chilling, heartwarming fundraiser to support The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts Special Hockey! 🏒❤️

👕 Donate $25 or more to take the plunge AND snag an exclusive event T-shirt! Not ready to dive in? No worries—you can "buy your way out" and still support the cause!

Come early for the fun! Here are the details:

🎶 Music, food trucks, warm drinks & more!

📍 Craigville Beach, Centerville, MA

🕛 Registration/check-in begins at 11:00 AM. Plunge at noon.

🏆 Prizes for top fundraisers & best costumes in the categories below—think penguins, polar bears, or your most creative winter look!

• Polar Ice Cap Award – Top Fundraiser
• Arctic Circle Award – Top Fundraising Group
• Snow Cone Award – Best Individual Costume
• Icicles Award – Best Group Costume
• Frozen Custard Award – Oldest Penguin
• Snow Days Off Award – Top Fundraising School Group
• Storm Hero Award – Top Fundraising Public Safety Group
• On the Rocks Award – Top Fundraising Bar/Restaurant

🎟 Register now at Eventbrite and help us make waves for The Great Blizz! https://bit.ly/GBPolarSeltzerPlunge

02/06/2025

Get your ticket for the Great Blizz Special Hockey Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Jackpot! 💜 The drawing will be held on Feb. 12th.

Just 6 more days to participate in the Great Blizz Special Hockey Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Jackpot! 💜

Right now our online 50-50 raffle jackpot is $290 - and with your participation, it can be a lot more! 💰

Our first raffle brought a lucky winner $750 right before Christmas. 😀

It’s a great opportunity to spend new-found money on your special Valentine (and yourself)!

As little as $10 gets you in the game. You must be 18 or older and buy the ticket in Massachusetts.

👇 Get your ticket and help a great cause…proceeds will benefit The Great Blizz!

https://bit.ly/Blizz50-50Raffle

02/04/2025

Nice article about The Great Blizz!

Check out this awesome feature on The Great Blizz by coach Steve Nearman in Stroll — Pinehills (Stroll Magazine)!

Photo by Cara Lane.

https://www.strollmag.com/locations/pinehills-ma/articles/-1af9a3/

02/04/2025

Looking forward to this episode tomorrow night featuring the Salt Water Initiative!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tomorrow night, Feb. 4th at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Host Holly Flanagan will be joined by Lynne Abbott, Founder of the Salt Water Initiative.
This nonprofit works with resorts and hotels on Cape Cod to provide a free Cape Cod vacation experience for families living with a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

01/28/2025

The next episode of "Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion" will be a rebroadcast of a popular episode from last November. Host Steve Nearman and our guests, Mary Fox and Tony Vitorino of Community Autism Resources, had a lively talk about Healthy Relationships, an 8-week course on dating and s*x for our special needs population. A good listen for everybody!

The show airs tonight at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM, and will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

👉 If you haven’t already, please follow this show page which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

01/20/2025

We have a great show planned for tomorrow night - be sure to tune in!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion this Tuesday night, Jan. 21st at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Host Holly Flanagan will be joined by Peter Evers, CEO of BAMSI. They’ll discuss how BAMSI supports those with disabilities from early intervention to adulthood.

BAMSI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in Brockton, Massachusetts with a vision of driving change and creating equal opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental and behavioral health challenges. Each year, the organization impacts the lives of more than 50,000 individuals. BAMSI’s mission is to meet each person where they are so they can learn, grow, and thrive.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

01/13/2025

Be sure to tune in tomorrow night! 😀

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tomorrow night, Jan. 14th at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Host Holly Flanagan will be joined by co-host Jim Coughlin, Executive Director of Plymouth County Family Support, Inc.

Their guest will be Marynell Henry, Executive Director of the non-profit SAIL Home (Supported Access to Independent Living).

SAIL Home seeks to create supported housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or autism. There is currently a housing crisis for this population, with over 75 % of individuals with IDD and/or autism over the age of 22 living at home with aging caregivers.

SAIL Home addresses this by training families on how to create supported community housing options for their loved ones. SAIL Home will open its first community development in Scituate, MA with 8 units of housing for individuals to live independently.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

01/07/2025

Be sure to tune in tonight and learn about these amazing events!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tonight at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

We have several guests joining host Steve Nearman:

From the Mite Beach Bash, LLC in Ocean City, MD:

Jenelle Antkowiak, Business Manager
Brian Antkowiak, VP of Operations, Partner
Tom Latona, Sales, Partner

Sarah Joliat – Program Director and Coach for Maine Highlanders Special Hockey (Unified Special Hockey of Maine) and Event Director for Witches Brew Adaptive Hockey Awareness Weekend in Maine

Bill Wedge, Great Blizz Photographer, Board Member and Superfan of the Mite Beach Bash

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

12/31/2024

Be sure to tune-in tonight at 6:15! Happy New Year! 🎊

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tonight at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Our hosts Holly Flanagan and Steve Nearman will be joined by Bill Wedge, Great Blizz team photographer and board member. We’ll recap all things Blizz 2024 as we look forward to what's on tap for The Blizz in 2025.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

12/17/2024

Be sure to tune in tonight at 6:15PM!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tonight at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! Hosted by Steve Nearman, this episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Steve will be joined by Manny Guerra, Jr., Goalie for the US Paralympic Team and 2002 Gold Medalist, and Thomas Marble III, senior team member of The Great Blizz.

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

12/16/2024

Don't miss your chance to participate in the Holiday 50/50 raffle fundraiser to benefit The Great Blizz! Drawing will take place on Monday, Dec. 23rd.

❄️ Just One Week Left to Join the Fun! ❄️

Don’t miss your chance to take part in our Electronic Holiday 50-50 Raffle – a win-win opportunity! Half the proceeds go to the lucky winner, and the other half supports The Great Blizz Special Hockey and our amazing players.

🎟️ Ticket Bundles:

👉 3 tickets for $10
👉 10 tickets for $20
👉 50 tickets for $50
👉 200 tickets for $100 (just 50 cents per ticket!)

🗓️ Holiday Draw: Monday, December 23rd – just in time for that last-minute holiday shopping spree!

Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/GB5050HolidayRaffle

🛑 Key Details:

• You must purchase tickets while in Massachusetts, but you don’t need to be a resident (or even a U.S. citizen).
• Must be 18+ to enter.

🌟 Why Participate? Every ticket you buy supports our mission to provide 65 players with special needs the ultimate ice hockey experience at our two locations in Kingston and South Dennis. Our entire program is powered by volunteers – 100% of proceeds go to programming, not overhead.

Imagine the difference we can make together! If every one of our followers bought a ticket, we could grow and improve our program like never before.

So, take a shot, dream big, and know you’re making a huge impact. Thank you for your support! 🏒❤️

Good luck, and may the holidays bring you joy and a little extra cash! 🎁🎄

12/10/2024

Be sure tune in tonight!

Tune into our weekly radio show, Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tonight at 6:15PM on 95.9 WATD FM! Hosted by Steve Nearman, this episode will also be live-streamed at 959watd. com.

Steve will be joined by George and Maribeth Roberts of Raffle King, creators of the Electronic 50-50 Raffle. They’ll discuss the proliferation of electronic raffles in the U.S. and Canada, and how they benefit nonprofits.

Plus we’ll have a special announcement concerning The Great Blizz!

"Breaking the Ice” is presented by the Bridgewater State University EXCEL Program (BSU EXCEL Programs) and hosted by The Great Blizz. The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

🌟 If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion