NCPAL.Galajournal2017lo

3rd Annual NCPAL

MAY 5, 2017

Honoring
NCPAL Hero Volunteers
LifeƟme Commitment to Outstanding Service

Doug Kenah

nassaucountypal.org

Table Of Contents

Nassau County PAL President Frank DiVittorio Letter.............................................Pg. 4

Nassau County PAL Commanding Officer Sgt. Robert Kiesel..................................Pg. 5

Nassau County PAL Executive Board.......................................................................Pg. 6

Nassau County PAL Officers.....................................................................................Pg. 6

NCPAL’s Lifetime Commitment to Outstanding Service..........................................Pg. 7

Nassau County PAL Special Honorees Doug Bausch...............................................Pg. 8

Nassau County PAL Special Honorees Thomas Kelly..............................................Pg. 9

Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree Lester Petracca..................................................Pg. 10

Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree Robert Pope .....................................................Pg. 11

Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree Hon. Chris Quinn..............................................Pg. 12

Sponsors.....................................................................................................................Pg. 13

Valley Stream PAL Junior Air Rifle Team.................................................................Pg. 28

N CPAL History

In 1940, under the direction of Nassau County’s first Police Commissioner
Abraham Skidmore, the Nassau County Police Boys Club was formed. Since that time
there have been several changes including changing the name of the organization in
1987 to the Nassau County Police Activity League (NCPAL). While the name may
have changed, the mission of the organization remains the same today as it was back
in 1940. Our mission is to prevent juvenile delinquency and aid in development of
good citizenship through positive interaction of youths and police officers.
The NCPAL is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization that is operated by
an executive board, a board of trustees, and with the tireless help of hundreds of
volunteers. Presently there are twenty-eight (28) units, which cover over forty (40)
different communities. The Nassau County Police Department provides officers to
oversee these units and to interact with the youths of these communities. Activities
that are offered include sports, crafts, educational, and other programs. These
activities vary from unit to unit and are based on the local community’s needs and
interests.

N CPAL Mission Statement

The mission of the Nassau County Police Activity League, Inc. is to operate
youth clubs and provide sports, crafts, educational and other programs of a team or
individual nature for all boys and girls in Nassau County, New York, regardless of
race, religion, income or handicap. The intent of the activities is to prevent juvenile
delinquency and aid in the development of good citizenship through the positive
interaction of police officers and youths.

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Gala Program

Opening Remarks

Guest Speakers
Town or Nassau County Police

Department Representative

Special Recognition of Commitment
to Service Award

Sgt. Doug Kenah (Ret.)

Recognition of PAL Hero Honorees
Doug Bausch
Thomas Kelly

Lester Petracca
Robert Pope

Hon. Chris Quinn

Dinner/ Dancing/ Raffles

Auction closes at 10:00 p.m.

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Nassau County Police Activity League

Established 1940

Frank DiVittorio Welcome to Our Third Annual Nassau County PAL Gala
NCPAL President
It has been another long year, and we have lost family members and fellow
PAL friends alike. As someone who has suffered through both, I would like to extend
my deepest condolences.
We, as an organization, have also experienced other disappointments. We still
have not closed out the never-ending saga of our building in Roosevelt. Neither the
County, Town of Hempstead nor the Police Department has stepped up to honor all
their commitments or promises. Despite that, Roosevelt PAL perseveres in trying to
grow their programs and maintain their presence within the building that holds their
name.
We are also shy two Police Officers in PAL, who were supposed to have
returned some time ago. It is frustrating to say the least and demoralizing to the
six police officers who are assigned here. They, as you well know, do a tremendous
job even while being spread so thin. It is extremely hard for them to attend all the
community functions necessary. I commend them for trying to balance their time while
accomplishing as much as they do.
The new Commanding Officer, Rob Keisel, is doing a fantastic job. While
learning about our organization on the fly, he also has to fill some big shoes left
behind by our very good friend Doug Kenah. Doug – I have said this before on several
occasions – PAL has benefited greatly from your time and commitment to the kids and
volunteers within Nassau County.
Despite some obstacles, the Executive Board is focused on keeping our
organization moving forward. Our website, social media and banking systems have all
progressed in the past 12 months.
As we look ahead to the future, fundraising and corporate affiliations are on
the rise, and we do plan on making some changes for next year’s Gala, so stay tuned
for updates in the next few months.
In addition, there are some potential changes in the Police Department in the
near future, and with that, there have been some new promises made – so let us all
keep our fingers crossed.
I would be remiss in not thanking all the volunteers throughout PAL – you
are the backbone of our organization; without you, we would definitely fall short in
our mission. Congratulations to all our Special Volunteers honored tonight. Your
commitment goes well beyond any measurable factor, but on behalf of all the parents
of the children you have coached and mentored, thank you. We are sincerely grateful.

Enjoy the Gala!

Frank DiVittorio

NCPAL President

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Nassau County Police Activity League

Established 1940

Sgt. Robert Kiesel Dear Friends of PAL,
Commanding Officer
Our motto states: “It is better to build youth than to mend adults.” For the first 23
years of my police career while on patrol, the main focus was on mending adults,
and during that time I’ve seen many changes in the way that policing is done and
how society has changed. One of the tools that has now become a major part of
policing is the use of statistical analysis. Statistics can be very useful in helping
the police department make the best use of their resources and evaluate whether
their efforts have been effective. But there is one place where statistics fall short,
and it directly relates to the NCPAL: the outstanding work and dedicated effort of
our volunteers and police officers, which takes place each and every day, cannot be
quantified in a statistic. Your hard work builds character and confidence in the youth
of Nassau County while helping to keep the children safe, happy and healthy. The
results you achieve are immeasurable, and they prevent many of our youth from ever
becoming a police department statistic as an adult. Your efforts directly contribute to
Nassau County’s being one of the safest places to live in the United States.

Congratulations to our NCPAL honorees, and thank you to all of our volunteers,
police officers and office staff for your tireless efforts and all that you do. This past
year has been an absolute pleasure working with all of you, and I look forward to the
future.

Thank you to all our outstanding donors who support this great organization. Your
generosity makes it possible to sustain our youth activities and achieve our mission.

Enjoy your evening,

Sgt. Robert Kiesel

Commanding Officer

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NCPAL EXECUTIVE Frank DiVittorio Arnold Palleschi Michele Walker
BOARD President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President

Chris Kyriacou Alex Ipiotis Rich Lopos
Treasurer Board Member Board Member

NCPAL OFFICERS Commanding Officer Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer

Sgt. Robert Kiesel Gary Biggers Jethro Cardona Matt Perlungher

Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer

Edwin Philip Jack Volpe Anthony Kiser

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NCPAL’s Lifetime Commitment
to Outstanding Service

Presented to Sgt. Douglas Kenah (Ret.)
NCPAL May 1994 – June 2016
Police Department July 1986 – June 2016

Doug Kenah exemplified key components that supported NCPAL
and local communities with precise understanding and communication on
the mission of PAL throughout his career.
His creativity, effective reasoning and admiration among colleagues
and volunteers throughout his role as an Officer Director led him to be one
of the most respected in his position.
Doug’s clear communication and critical thinking throughout his
career assisted in moving PAL to perform ethically and at a high standard
on all functions of business. His consistency for high-quality work afforded
him the opportunity to take on the role in 2004 as Assisting Commanding
Officer of NCPAL and as Commanding Officer, where he finished out his
career in Spring 2016.

Doug Kenah

Commanding Officer (ret.)

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Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree

Doug Bausch Doug Bausch became involved with PAL, like many other parents,
by being a Coach for his children. A resident of North Bellmore, Doug
was asked to help coach soccer in 1993 for his two daughters who were
part of the Bellmore PAL’s soccer program.
Now 28 and 24, Doug’s two daughters have given him many
years of great memories on the field. He counts among his greatest
accomplishments taking his youngest daughter’s soccer team to play in
a Presidents’ Day tournament in Disney World because of the intense
planning and a challenge he likens to “herding cats” for the trip. For his
older daughter, he recalls her volunteering to play “keeper” in the last of
that team’s travel games ever, so that the designated keeper could play the
field for part of the game.
An intramural soccer Coach for numerous years, Doug took over
as the unit’s soccer commissioner, serving in the role for a year and on
and off from the late 1990s through 2000 as the unit’s Soccer Coordinator.
From 2008 through 2015 he served as the Director for soccer
clinics and the First Kicks Soccer program. He recently retired as
President of the Bellmore PAL in February 2017. He was also an assistant
travel soccer Coach for a PAL girls U10-U17 team and Head Coach for
PAL LIJSA U10-U19 and a U13 travel team.

“It is a wonderful accomplishment to watch
young people succeed on the field and off. This
is especially important for young people who
are facing challenges and who may have been
lost without direction and support. When you
see where they came from and how they achieve
and succeed, it is inspiring.”

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Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree

Thomas Kelly Growing up in East Rockaway, Thomas Kelly was involved with
the Police Boys Club – the predecessor of PAL – for many years. He still
recalls seeing the local liaison, Police Officer Lafferty, in his uniform at
the fields on Saturday mornings, watching and cheering on the players.
Thomas became involved with the PAL due to those memories and the
desire to teach his own son and his son’s friends the games of basketball
and baseball.
For the past 22 years Thomas has served as a coach for both
basketball and baseball as well as a director for both disciplines. He has
also served as a member of the Farmingdale Unit’s Executive Board
since 2005 and the Unit Treasurer since 2010.
Being a volunteer in the Farmingdale PAL has given Thomas
the opportunity to meet people in the community and make many long–
lasting friendships. What he finds truly rewarding is seeing the young
people of Farmingdale grow and build their confidence as they become
better players. This is especially gratifying for those youths who may
not have had a father at home to teach them sports. Thomas always spent
extra time and gave extra attention to these young people.

“There’s no better feeling for me than
to see a former player who’s grown up
and is on the right life path. The nod of a
head and a ‘hi coach’ makes me feel like
I have maybe been a small part of that
young adult’s success.”

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Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree

The sport of lacrosse has been a part of Lester Petracca’s life
since his youth. He first picked up a stick while playing in the Police
Boys Club – the predecessor of PAL – and then in 1991 became a coach,
passing on his knowledge to the next generation. A Manhasset native,
Lester has overseen the development of the Manhasset Boys Lacrosse
Clinic for players in the first and second grades. He currently serves as
treasurer for the Manhasset Unit.
Lester counts among his most rewarding experiences watching
dozens of players grow up from being new players in first grade to
becoming impactful team members at colleges around the country. He
appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community as part of PAL
and to serve as a lacrosse coach and instructor.

Lester Petracca

“The best feeling I have ever experienced
is helping children succeed and watching
them achieve their goals.”

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Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree

Before the founding of the Special Needs PAL Unit, Robert
Pope and his wife Nancy were looking for sports programs for their son,
Matthew, a person with special needs. The Bellmore/North Bellmore
program and the coaches were excellent. However, eventually Matthew
needed to find a new team. Around 1984, the PAL Special Needs Unit
was formed, and Robert joined shortly thereafter, eventually becoming a
board member. He currently serves as one of the unit’s coaches.
Robert considers one of the greatest indicators of the unit’s
success to be how well players interact with one another. He also
appreciates how the program prepares its members for the outside world.

Robert Pope

“The Special Needs Unit and its
programs allowed my son to thrive and
have enjoyment through sports. I have
been fortunate to watch all the children
of the special needs program grow and
succeed.”

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Nassau County PAL Hero Honoree

A resident of Wantagh, Christopher Quinn began his affiliation
with PAL during the winter of 1989 after seeing an ad in a local paper
calling for parents and children to play PAL Lacrosse, which was
expanding. In 1990 he served as both Assistant and Head Coach for
various Wantagh Unit teams for both boys and girls continuously through
the 2009 season. From the early 1990s through 2002 Christopher also
helped run a weeklong skills clinic for young athletes at the end of each
school year.
Chris has served as a member of the PAL Lacrosse Board since
2007. He has also been a board member for the Long Island Metropolitan
Lacrosse Foundation since 2000 and a former Chair of the Youth Selection
Committee for the U.S. Lacrosse Festival.
Currently, Chris is serving as the Supervising Judge of the Nassau
County Court and Acting Supreme Court Justice.

Hon. Chris Quinn

“I appreciate the achievements of a child
on the athletic field. However, I am more
concerned about the child off the field.
I believe true success is found in the
child becoming more well-rounded and
more capable in school. I enjoy helping
children gain acceptance to the college
of their choice.”

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Gold Sponsor 13

Marin Elias

Silver Sponsor

Boisi Family

tonigThht’asnspkecyioaul ctoonatlrlibouf tors

New York Jets
New York Giants
Jr. NBA Knicks

L. A. Fitness
Papandrew Jewelers Inc. Valley Stream

Friends of Pal

Margaret McDermott
Michael Chappel
S Life Inc.
Lewis Hitch
Chster & Lily Tong
Michael Moran

Roland & Beatrice Puton
Louis Nardone, CPA
Diana Gibbons

The Special Needs Unit salutes Basketball
Boot Camp
our outstanding volunteer
Bowling
Bob Pope Cheerleading

for his 10+ years of dedicated service Computer
and recognition as a PAL Hero Dance
Honoree for 2017 Fishing

Flag Football
Golf

Karate
Lacrosse
Movie Night
Tee Ball

Track
Yoga
Zumba
…And More

P.O. Director Jethro Cardona SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT

President Harvey Pollack 510 Parkside Blvd
Vice President Isaac Bracker Massapequa, NY 11758
Treasurer Roberta Grogan
516.809.7617
Secretary MaryLynn Dinu
Trustee Brian Haffey Specialneedspal.siplay.com

Alternate Trustee Frank Alfano Facebook.com/ncpalsnu
Special Consultant Joan Crader

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UNIONDALE PAL UNIT

PO Box 32, Uniondale, NY 11553 Tel: (516) 668-0958

ACTIVITIES Congratulations to all the 2017 Honorees

Your time and efforts are well appreciated

BASKETBALL Thank you
BOWLING Sgt. Doug Kenah
LEARN TO for your years of service to the
SWIM Nassau County Police Activity League

COMPETITIVE EXECUTIVE BOARD
SWIM President Michele Walker
Vice President Michele Newell
KARATE Secretary Ann-Marie Harrilal
SOCCER Treasurer Ashia Thomson

Trustee Cheryl Foran
P.O./Director Edwin Philip

TRACK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UNIONDALEPAL
Online Registration: uniondalepal.siplay.com

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M MILLIGAN ULLER, CPAs

Helping Make Sense of a Complex World

• BUSINESS SERVICES •

Income Taxes
Sales Taxes
Payroll Taxes
Financial Statement Audits
Bookkeeping
Quickbooks
Management Consulting

• INDIVIDUAL SERVICES •

Income Taxes
Estates & Trusts

Quicken
Income Tax Planning

Estate Planning

• NON-PROFITS •

Federal & State
Reporting

Audits of Financials
Management Consulting

Bookkeeping
Quickbooks

Tel: (516) 365-9200 Maurice J. Kalaygian, CPA
Fax: (516) 676-0966 6 Birch Hill Road
e-mail: [email protected] Locust Valley, NY 11560

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Congratulations to the volunteers
and PAL for all of their efforts
within Nassau County

New York Paving Inc.

161 Bethpage - Sweet Hollow Rd. Old Bethpage, NY 11804

516-694-4141

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The Bellmore/North Bellmore PAL

We want to congratulate

Doug Bausch

for being our Volunteer of the Year. We thank him
for his years of service and dedication as coach,

trustee and President of the Bellmore unit.


We also express our gratitude to all our volunteers
who invest their time and talents to benefit the

children of our community. We wouldn’t have our
soccer, lacrosse, track and golf programs without

their support.

With our sincere thanks!

Police Officer Anthony Kiser
and

The Bellmore PAL Executive Board

www.bellmorepal.org

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Wantagh Seaford

Congratulations

Hon. Chris Quinn
On receiving the “Lifetime Volunteer Award” from Nassau County PAL.
On behalf of the Wantagh / Seaford PAL Unit, and board members, we wish to thank you for all of
your years of dedication to the kids in our community. Our Lacrosse program has become success-
ful mostly from the dedication of our volunteers and you in particular leading the way.
This award is well deserved and long overdue. Thank you, we are forever grateful.

Congratulations

Sgt. Doug Kenah

On receiving the “Commitment to Service” award from Nassau County PAL. As an officer in the
PAL division to Commanding Officer in the department for PAL- you time and time again stood
behind our mission and always provided an outreached hand to the kids and volunteers as well as
the officers assigned to PAL. Thank you, this award is well deserved and you are already missed.

Congratulations again.

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We Proudly Support & Appreciate the
NCPAL

We Thank All of The P.A.L.
Volunteers
and

Congratulate Tonight’s
Award Winners

Proudly Supports

The Nassau County PAL

With Best Wishes For Continued Success
& Congratulations to This Year’s
Community Volunteers

Automated External Defibrillators & Accessories

Sales & Public Access Defibrillation Program Assistance From A-Z

CPR Training Equipment, M a n i k i n s & Supplies

Sales & Service

Emergency Medical Equipment & Supplies

516-671-6244 www.gepickering.com

263 Glen Cove Avenue - Sea Cliff - NY 11579

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Football Congratulations to
Cheerleading
Doug Kenah
on achieving
NCPAL’s Lifetime Commitment
to Outstanding Service

Floor Hockey Congratulations to
Lacrosse Nassau County Police Activity League
Basketball
on its 3rd Annual NCPAL GALA

Karate PLAINVIEW PAL
Judo
Tennis Executive Board
Hockey
Intramurals 1st Vice President Jack Young
Travel Teams 2nd Vice President Mike Fasano

Treasurer Chris Kyriacou
Trustee David Buchbinder
Alternate Trustee Jeff Berson

Secretary Doug Leo
P.O. Director Matthew Perlungher

Camps & Clinics WWW.PLAINVIEWPAL.COM

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Congratulations
to NCPAL

and to All the
Honored Volunteers.

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Sergeant Doug Kenah

Thank you for everything you have done
for Bethpage and Nassau County.
We will never forget your

Compassion, Caring and Contribution
to our community.
You truly are

an officer and a gentleman!
Best of Luck in your retirement and GO Irish!

Your Bethpage PAL family

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Nassau County Police Activity League
167 Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801

nassaucountypal.org

[email protected]
Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved

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Valley Stream PAL Junior Air Rifle Team Athletes Qualify to Participate
in the USA Shooting Junior Olympics

Three Valley Stream PALRifle Team to Olympic Shooting our athletes
members, have qualified to participate also compete in NRA (National Rifle
in the USA Shooting Junior Olympics Association), Civilian Marksmanship
in the 10 Meter Air Rifle Competition Program (U.S. Army), Varsity High
at The U.S. Olympic Training Center in School and NCAA Collegiate matches.
Colorado Springs. Precision Air Rifle is also a Varsity High
After a long season of practices, School and NCAA collegiate sport,
competitions and a final State Qualifying which has enabled many of our PAL
Match at The U.S. Military Academy kids to receive scholarships for colleges
in West Point, Mathew Pemberton, and many government programs. It is a
Zefanyah McDonald, and Brian Aliventi noncontact sport, so just about anyone
traveled to Colorado Springs in April can be involved without any issues of
to attend a training clinic given by U.S. strength or athletic ability. The PAL
Olympic coaches and then compete in the youths join our program at age 12 and
National Air Rifle Competition. can continue on until graduation from
At West Point, Matthew Pemberton high school. This has enabled our kids
shot a score of 573 out of 600, taking 2nd to become more acclimated with this
place in the State. Zefanyah McDonald sport, so by the time they are in high
shot a 571 out of 600 to take 3rd place. school, they are all ready to try out for
Brian Aliventi shot a 557, coming in 4th the Valley Stream High School Team.
place. Most of the high school team members
Precision Air Rifle is an Olympic are also PAL Rifle athletes. We run our
sport that requires a great deal of skill, program in the Valley Stream Memorial
patience and self-discipline. An athlete Junior High School Rifle Range.
must be able to aim a 12 to14 pound .177 Many of our former PAL athletes
cal. Precision Air Rifle in the standing return to help out as coaches, including
position, wearing heavy gear, and shoot the current Valley Stream High School
60 shots with metallic sights (using the District Coach, Mr. Jumell Wilson. The
naked eye) at targets the size of a quarter PAL has had a rifle program at Valley
with a bullseye the size of a pinhole from Stream since the late 1950s when it was
a distance of 33 feet (10 meters). The known as the PBC (Police Boys Club).
slightest movement of the body or breath In 2000, a PAL rifle athlete, Tharina
can cause the athlete to miss that bullseye Kane, was selected to shoot for the
and not achieve a qualifying score. All U.S. Olympic Shooting Team in the 10
this must be done within a specified time Meter Air Rifle competition in Sydney,
limit (1 hr. 15 min.). Australia. Although she did not win any
There are two disciplines in this medals, she was our pride and joy and
sport: Standing Air Rifle and 3 Position an inspiration to our youths to never
Air Rifle (prone, kneeling, and standing). quit or give up. Someday, hopefully in
The PAL used to shoot .22 cal. rifles, the not too distant future, we will once
and some of our athletes still shoot in again see one of our PAL youths go to
some .22 cal. matches using their own the Olympics and maybe even win a
target rifles at other ranges. In addition gold medal.

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