Charlotte Gray says her favorite part about competing with the Newtown High School swimming and diving team is the connection she has with her teammates. The senior captain recently used that and another connection she has — one with challenged swimmers — to help raise money for Special Olympics.

Gray is a unified partner with the Oxford chapter of Special Olympics. She’s volunteered two times a week, helping participants swim and play croquet, for the past seven years, and also contributing time at the Special Olympic Games.

On September 20, when Oxford High School visited NHS, fans in attendance could make a donation to Special Olympics, and more than $300 was raised. The money will help provide bathing suits and swim caps to athletes in the Special Olympics program.

“I love it. It’s really just getting together and having a bunch of fun in the water, playing games,” Gray said of her volunteer work.

Gray’s teammates, along with Oxford swimmers, helped get the word out to parents and students. “This couldn’t have happened without the team,” Gray said.

Gray, a freestyle and backstroke swimmer, is interested in pursing a career in social work or something similar. “I love helping people,” she said.

Newtown Coach Zach Gauvin said, “It’s great. I always encourage the girls, every season, to do at least one fundraiser.” Gauvin added that a breast cancer awareness fundraiser is on tap for early October.