Dear Editor:
As president of the Hoboken Police Athletic League, I would like to take this opportunity to recap our summer events and thank the individuals who made our season such a huge success.
The Hoboken P.A.L., in conjunction with the City of Hoboken’s Save the Youth Program, sponsored a Summer Youth Basketball League that was open to children between the ages of 11 and 18 years of age. The league began on July 7 and ended on Sept. 1 with approximately 150 children participating in this program. Basketball games were played at two locations: Church Square Park and 655 5th St.
First of all, I would like to thank the following sponsors whose contributions helped us purchase uniforms and equipment for this league: Zog Sports, I-9 Sports, Artesian Design Group, Atlantic Solutions, Lopiano & Kenny, Knapperhan Community Center, Hoboken Volunteers, Hudson County Jaycees, Freeholder Anthony Romano, Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr., the Hoboken Housing Authority, Carmelo Garcia, Director, Councilman Michael Lenz, Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner, Jake Stuiver, and Adventures in Learning Day Care.
I would also like to thank Luis Acevedo, program coordinator for the City of Hoboken’s Save the Youth Program, for making this league such a huge success. His motivation and commitment to the children in the Save the Youth Program in undeniable. Nothing is done half way; he puts 100 percent of himself in everything he does. I feel extremely proud to have my name and the Hoboken P.A.L. mentioned alongside his name and the Save the Youth Program.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to Leo Pellegrini, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, for securing a $30,000.00 P.A.L. Grant through P.A.L. of New Jersey. Also, through USA Football, a grant was awarded for football equipment and tickets to the Giants/Patriots game. Without his direction and leadership, this would not have been possible. I would also like to thank him for all the hard work he has done behind the scenes to make our program such a huge success. He made situations happen that I thought were impossible, and again, I am truly grateful for his support.
I would also like to thank Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Police Chief Anthony Falco, Lt. Kenneth Ferrante, and the Community Policing Bureau, as well as the Hoboken Recreation Department, for their support and dedication to the Hoboken P.A.L.
Robert Gohde, Director
Hoboken Police Athletic League