Danbury PAL 4th Annual Spotlight Breakfast To Honor Local Heroes

**News Release Submitted by Danbury Police Activities League**

March 28, 2024

On Friday, April 26th the Danbury PAL will celebrate its 4th Annual Spotlight Breakfast honoring five Danbury community leaders. This year’s Spotlight honorees are former Danbury PAL Softball coaches, Fred Carboni and Kurt Schlemmer who have been valuable assets to the Danbury PAL softball program for over 20 years; former State Representative Dave Arconti Jr. who secured recurring annual state grants for youth programming for the PAL since 2019; legendary Danbury HS Girls’ Coach Jackie DiNardo and her late husband, Danbury PD Officer Bob DiNardo who opened the doors to the Danbury PAL facility in 1997.

All five honorees have made significant contributions to the Danbury PAL. Coach Jackie DiNardo has worked in Danbury School System for 37 years as a Health & Phys Ed Teacher and has been the Program Director of Danbury PAL’s Girls In-House Basketball since 1990. The late Bob DiNardo served 29 years on the Danbury Police force and 23 years as Danbury HS girls’ varsity basketball assistant coach remains a legendary figure in the city. Former State Rep Dave Arconti Jr. advocated for state funds for the Danbury PAL via the state of Connecticut’s Judicial Branch Support Services and their Youth Violence Prevention Grant to assist not-for-profit community-serving organizations with services directed at local youth in the area. Arconti not only worked with PAL leadership as a State Legislator but also worked for PAL under former Danbury PAL Executive Director & Hall of Famer Bob Guerrera.

Fred Carboni was a dedicated PAL Coach for two sports. . . basketball and softball from 2003 thru 2015. No position was too big or too small as Fred served positions from equipment manager to Vice President of the Softball Board of Directors. Coach Carboni also left a legacy as his daughter Erica currently serves on the 2024 Board of Directors. Kurt Schlemmer spent 16 years as a PAL Coach from 1999 through 2015. Coach Schlemmer led girls in basketball and softball as well as working the PAL concession stand for several winters.

Danbury PAL Executive Director, Vince Jackson credits all of the 2024 honorees with being the foundation of the Danbury PAL. “Without volunteer coaches like our honorees, the PAL wouldn’t be in the great shape that it’s in.” Board of Directors President, Chad Bock added. . . “"We are proud to honor these five individuals that have played a crucial role in the development of the Police Activities League for the Danbury Community. They have volunteered their time and talent for numerous years to not only create and expand youth program offerings but also in bringing the idea of the building into reality which allows us to provide many opportunities to the greater Danbury area."

The Danbury PAL Spotlight Breakfast Honorees began in 2019 to “Spotlight” local heroes who have worked endlessly to make our organization what it is today. Awardees are not only recognized during the annual breakfast, but they are inducted into the Danbury PAL Hall of Fame. Past Honorees include Bob Guerrera (Director) , Reggie Moore (Basketball) Kara Prunty (Health), Karen Simmons (Swimming), Mark & Nancy Cammisa (Wrestling) , Joyce Robbins and Joann Tatarzycki (Danbury Cheer).