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UPPER FREEHOLD: Alliance presents gift to school district

   The chairman and coordinator of the Upper Freehold-Allentown Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse presented a gift to the Upper Freehold Regional school board at its recent meeting.
   Chairman Salvatore Diecidue and Coordinator Deborah Minnick presented copies of the booklet “Street Drugs” to be used by school district staff members.
   These booklets will be distributed to school administrators, physical education teachers, and key staff to help identify a variety of drugs, etc., if any were found on school property.
   Mr. Diecidue and Ms. Minnick explained to the board the services the alliance provides to the school district and community. These services include age-appropriate, in-school presentations, as well as several family events throughout the year.
   These presentations include topics on the consequences of choices/safe choices, drug and alcohol education, Internet safety, Peer pressure and conflict resolution.
   The alliance’s most popular events are the annual Bonding Through Bowling and Daddy/Daughter Dance. Bonding Through Bowling gives mothers and their son(s) the opportunity to have lunch together and spend the afternoon bowling. The Daddy/Daughter Dance allows fathers and their daughters to spend quality time together in an evening full of music, dance and door prizes.
   The alliance is made up of volunteers from within the community. For 2013, the alliance will have to raise $9,987 to match a Monmouth County Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services grant. The municipalities of Allentown Borough and Upper Freehold Township contribute a combined total of $5,500, but the alliance must raise the balance of $4,487 through private donations and fundraising.
   For more information or to donate, the alliance’s website at www.ufaalliance.org.