Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 16, 2026 Saugus Olympics Day at World Series Park Fundraiser for Challenger baseball and boys and Girls Club still honors absent guest – Olympic fi gure skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan – for her longtime support of World Series Park and charitable causes By Neil Zolot P layers from Challenger Baseball took to the playing field at World Series Park last Saturday (Oct. 10) behind Belmonte STEAM Academy while the Boys and Girls Club of Metro North manned a table to disseminate information about their facilities in Stoneham and their new Teen Center in the Square One Mall off Route 1 in Saugus. Those were some of the highlights of Saugus Olympics Day, which had to be modifi ed from its original version. The event was originally planned to help publicize the Special Olympics and honor Olympic medal winner Nancy Kerrigan. The Selectmen had a citation to present Kerrigan, honoring her for “exceptional charitable work, unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to strengthening the Saugus community through her support of World Series Park.” But the twotime Olympic medalist who won a Bronze Medal (1992) and a Silver Medal (1994) in fi gure skating was unable to attend after the Olympics Day was cancelled last month because of the Nor’easter (Sept. 26). Kerrigan, who lives in nearby Lynnfi eld, has been a frequent supporter of World Series Park and the various fundraisers it has held over the years. World Series Park SuperinChallenger Baseball players gathered behind home plate last Saturday with Wally the Green Monster — the Boston Red Sox offi cial mascot — during Saugus Olympics Day at World Series Park. (Saugus Advocate photo by Neil Zolot) tendent Bob Davis reported he couldn’t get permission from the Massachusetts Special Olympics to run a fund-raiser for the organization. “But we had put so much effort into this I decided to go ahead anyway,” Davis said. “After nine years of hosting the Special Olympics, raising $150,000, we decided to raise money for some diff erent great causes like Challenger Baseball, which is Little League Baseball’s adaptive program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges, and the Boys and Girls Club,” he said. Steve Scranton of Challenger Baseball, whose son Steve Jr. has aged out of the program, called the event “awesome.” “Every time we play, it’s great,” Scranton said. Boys and Girls Club Chief Advancement Offi cer Andrea Nahigian expressed her appreciation. “We’re here to benefi t the youth of the community and are grateful to be a recipient of funding on this amazing day,” Nahigian said. “We’re here for the community.” One of the players in Challenger Baseball was 32-year old Shannon Furey, accompanied by her father John. She plays second base and also likes playing basketball, bowling and dancing. “I like playing,” she said. “Events like this bring everybody together,” John added. He played baseball as a student at Lynn English High School. The event was dedicated to the late Constantino Agganis, a cousin of Harry Agganis; Carolyn Davis, Bob Davis’s late wife, who was very active in organizing World Series Park events; and World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis got a hug from Shannon Furey, a 32-year-old Challenger Baseball player. (Saugus Advocate photo by Neil Zolot). the late Charlie McLaughlin, a huge supporter of World Series Park and the Special Olympics. “These three people gave much OLYMPICS DAY | SEE PAGE 5 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured Everett Aluminum Supplies pp Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws Steve Agganis with his 23-year-old son Gerry, who has Down syndrome and has traditionally thrown out the honorary fi rst pitch at special needs groups baseball games at World Series Park. (Saugus Advocate photo by Neil Zolot)
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