The Allentown-Upper Freehold Drug Alliance prepares for event with current and former NFL players.
By: Mark Moffa
ALLENTOWN For the second straight year, the Allentown-Upper Freehold Drug Alliance in April will host a fund-raiser with the Pros for Kids organization. Right now, however, the local group is in need of sponsors.
Current and former National Football League players will play flag football against teams comprised of local residents on Saturday, April 28, at the Allentown High School football field.
Last year, in conjunction with the Millstone anti-drug alliance,
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lower case?-NT>the Allentown/Upper Freehold Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse brought Pros for Kids in to play a basketball game in the high school’s gymnasium.
This year, with the event being held outside, the organization is hoping more people will be able to participate.
"We had to turn people away last year," said Joanne Schuh, president of the alliance.
She said space restrictions in the gym limited the number of participants and onlookers. Plus, refreshments were banned from the gym. She hopes this year’s flag football game will have better results.
Ms. Schuh said approximately 10 teams will play against the pros. The College of New Jersey is lending the group its flags and sending a team. Other groups have already committed teams as well.
According to Ms. Schuh, there is room for six more teams to participate in the event.
Bob O’Hare Jr., a member of the alliance, said donations are needed for the event at this time.
"This is going to be the funding event we’re going to use to help any sort of shortfalls that may be created for the year 2001," said Mr. O’Hare, who will chair the organization this year. "We really need the community’s assistance and support in this."
The alliance receives a $31,000 grant from the state. But most of that goes toward the $29,000 salary Ms. Schuh receives for running the organization.
Half of the proceeds received from tickets to the event will go toward the alliance, with the other half going toward Pros for Kids, whose organizer Lonnie Allgood speaks at schools around the country through the "Dare to Dream" program.
Mr. Allgood, a former wide receiver who was drafted out of Syracuse in 1976 by the Cincinnati Bengals, is vice president of the Tri-State Chapter of the National Football League Players Association.
A member of Pros for Kids will visit Allentown High School for the "Dare to Dream" program sometime before the flag football game.
"Dare to Dream" uses professional athletes, entertainers, and other community role models to redefine morals and educational values for young adults.
The program also provides students with tips from individuals who have reached their goals through discipline and hard work and seeks to help youngsters resolve problems through programs aimed at motivating adolescents to examine basic life skills.
Tickets will cost $5 for everyone this year, instead of charging a separate higher price for adults, as was done last year.
All proceeds from the sale of T-shirts, refreshments or anything else at the game will go to the alliance.
The alliance will decide on the time of the event and which players will participate as the program draws closer.
Businesses or individuals who want to sponsor the event can call Ms. Schuh at 259-6019. Anyone who wants to play against the pros should call the same number.
The alliance consists of community members from Allentown and Upper Freehold who coordinate programs designed to steer youngsters away from drugs and alcohol.
The Allentown members include Mr. O’Hare, the Rev. Merton Steelman, Councilman Dan Wimer, Mayor Stu Fierstein, Kevin O’Neil, Elizabeth Rodgers and Rick Rivera.
Upper Freehold’s contingent consists of the Rev. Rodney Brady, Committeeman Bill Miscoski, Lisa Booth, Shari Burke, Barbara Isaac, Susan Koller, Kim Sansouci and Addison Taliferro.