Merrick's Harvey Pollack & Roy Vasile Among 2015 PAL Heroes to be Honored

Merrick, NY; April 24, 2015 – The Nassau County Police Activity League (NCPAL) has named Harvey Pollack of Merrick, volunteer of its Massapequa-based Special Needs Unit, and Roy Vasile of Merrick, volunteer of its NCPAL Merrick Unit, among its 2015 PAL Heroes. Pollack and Vasile are among seven longtime volunteers to be recognized as heroes at the upcoming NCPAL Gala Award Ceremony taking place on May 1, 2015 at the Coral House in Baldwin. NCPAL, with the help of thousands of volunteers, operates in 29 units in 40 different communities providing 35,000 young people opportunities to participate in athletic, art and crafts and educational programs.

“Harvey and Roy have set themselves apart with their exceptional service and long-term dedication to the Special Needs and Merrick Units and the youths who comprise it as well as through their commitment to the Nassau County Police Activity League philosophy: It is better to build youths than to mend adults,” said Nassau County PAL President Frank DiVittorio.

Pollack has held numerous roles in the Special Needs PAL Unit including that of a board member, basketball commissioner and head of the flag football program. He is responsible for initiating the unit’s Computer Workshop Program, currently offered twice annually at Adelphi University. This program is an example of how PAL goes beyond the traditional sports programs to provide educational opportunities. Pollack’s idea of the computer workshop has grown over the past few years into a mentoring program where Adelphi students are given the experience of working with the PAL special needs members who benefit from learning from their peers.

Vasile was active in a youth organization that merged with PAL to provide a broader program of activities for Merrick area young people. He volunteered as a coach and went to positions as commissioner, trustee and member of the Executive Board. He is the NCPAL Headquarters legal counsel. Vasile volunteered with Merrick Unit while maintaining his practice as a personal injury attorney.

Other NCPAL volunteers to be honored at the NCPAL Gala include Everton Marcus of Baldwin; Gary Britton of Bethpage, Sunil Sani of the Great Neck PAL; John Bentrewicz of the Hicksville PAL; Charles Durrant of the Oyster Bay/ East Norwich PAL; Mike Fasano of Plainview; Quontinett Simmons of the Roosevelt PAL; and Michele Newell of Uniondale PAL.

“The joy of seeing a Special Needs child dribble a basketball down the court and sinking a basket or making a strike on the bowling alley or putting a golf ball into the cup is immeasurable,” said Pollack. “These kids gain confidence and self-esteem and that’s our goal. Many bonds between parents have been formed as they realize they are also not alone in caring for their Special Needs child. Our unit is lucky to have caring parents who help by volunteering their time to keep our unit progressing. Our Nassau County Police and our Headquarters provide us with much needed support so that we can serve this community.”

“I am truly humbled and surprised at being named a PAL Hero,” said Vasile. “What I enjoy the most is simply to give the kids a better experience today than one they might have had yesterday. We market to kids who might make a travel team but love to play their favorite sport. It means much to me to give them a venue to achieve their dreams.”

For more information about Nassau County PAL youth sports and other programs or to inquire about volunteering with NCPAL, please visit www.nassaucountypal.org.

Nassau County Police Activity League (NCPAL), founded in 1940, is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization that operates twenty-nine (29) local units, which cover over forty (40) different communities in Nassau County. An executive board, a board of trustees and thousands of volunteers carry out the organization’s mission each day. NCPAL offers programs for over 35,000 young people from across Nassau County. The NCPAL mission is to prevent juvenile delinquency and steer children clear of gang activity, and to aid in the positive interaction of Police Officers and youth. 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 needs and interests. For more information about NCPAL www.facebook.com/NassauCountyPalHeadquartersActivities or visit www.nassaucountypal.org

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PHOTO 1:Harvey Pollack

PHOTO 2: Roy Vasile