By Joanne Degnan, Managing Editor
UPPER FREEHOLD — The Upper Freehold-Allentown Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is kicking off its summer fundraisers, including a new three-on-three Basketball Tournament & Dunk Contest July 23 at Byron Johnson Recreation Area.
The Alliance’s traditional “Cruise for Prevention” Classic Car Show is the first fundraiser on tap Wednesday (June 29) and the Motorcycle Show is set for July 20. Admission is free at both shows, but donations to support the alliance’s drug prevention programs are appreciated.
Coordinator Deborah Minnick said last week the Alliance is grateful for the $5,500 in grants that it has received from the Township of Upper Freehold and Borough of Allentown to help fund programs for 2011-2012. The municipal grants mean the Alliance only needs to raise $4,424 toward the required 25 percent county cash match, instead of the $9,924 that would have otherwise been required if there had not been municipal support from the two communities.
”We are proud to announce that all our programs will continue for the 2011 and 2012 grant years,” Ms. Minnick said.
Alliance programs funded this past year included Forest Friends puppet program for 1st-graders that provided lessons on trust, bullying, friendship, and tobacco education. A new Count on Me program for 2nd graders covered healthy lifestyles, safe and unsafe substances, bullying and unsafe situations.
The 6th- and 7th-grade classrooms benefited from a new program called Peer Proof that addressed substance abuse, violence prevention, good decision-making skills and the development of positive interpersonal skills. The 8th-graders were presented with a program that used Fatal Vision goggles to simulate impaired vision from being intoxicated.
Outside of the schools, the Alliance also completed several programs for senior citizens, including a question and answer session with a licensed pharmacist to discuss prescription drug use.
The registration for the basketball tournament ends July 14. The tournament will have 40 teams in four divisions: “Top Men’s,” a competitive division open to all male athletes; “Recreation,” open to all men over 18; “Scholastic 1,” open to ages 16 to 18; and “Scholastic 2” open to ages 12 to 15.
For information about the car and motorcycle shows, or to download a copy of the registration form for the Basketball Tournament & Dunk Contest go to the Alliance’s website at www.ufadrugalliance.org.
