Local business raising money for the Special Olympics

Paige Santos of Paige’s Paracord and More has participated in the Dartmouth Special Olympics since it was first created, and this year is participating by raising funds through a raffle. 

“We’ve [supported the Special Olympics] since [Mike Capello] started the program, day one when I was in first grade,” said Paige. “I’ve been participating since then and even when I graduated high school, I started to participate after that.”

When the store opened last year, the Santoses received a grant to help with opening. They decided to donate half of the grant to the Dartmouth Unified Team at their annual Special Olympics. 

“This year we wanted to do something for them again,” said Marianne Santos, Paige’s mom and business partner, “So we thought we’d involve the community and have them help with the donations.”

The basket, which was made by Paige, is filled with donations from many local businesses and artists. There are bracelets and a wreath by Paige, a ukulele donated by the Symphony, gift cards from neighbors like Computer Genius, the new martial arts school, Village Cafe, Black Tie Cookies, Hair in Motion and more.  

Marianne estimates that the basket is over $500, with more donations coming each day. As of April 10, she guessed that there are about 50 tickets.

Capello, who started the unified program, always helped support Paige. He coached the hockey team as well, and Paige would come to games and work on her bracelets. The motions help her cerebral palsy, and he would allow her to sell the bracelets during the games.

She would donate some of the money she raised by selling the bracelets to the unified team, starting her donations before she even stopped participating on the team herself. 

Tickets are $5 each, and the drawing will happen on April 18 at 2 p.m. at the store, which is located at 92 State Road.