For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 23, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

City of Methuen and Methuen Police Youth Basketball Program Holds Annual Block Party

METHUEN — Mayor Stephen N. Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce that the Methuen Police Youth Basketball Program held its annual end of season block party earlier this month.

The party was held at the Tenney Street Park on Saturday, Sept. 10. All players received a trophy and lunch, which was purchased at Wendy’s at a discounted price. School Resource Officer David Gardner donated drinks for the event.

Every year, the City of Methuen and the Methuen Police Department partner with Linda Soucy from the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc. (MAN, Inc.) to organize a youth basketball program, which provides fun and safe activities for children in the neighborhood during the summer.

“This program is important to the kids of our community, as it provides a safe and fun environment for them when they are out of school for the summer,” Chief Solomon said. “We are proud of the work that goes into this program every year and the positive impact we can have on these children.”

The youth basketball program has been around for the last 20 years, and Officer Gardner has run the program for the past 12. This year, approximately 100 boys and girls, ranging from ages eight to 18, participated in the program.

Officer Gardner and other Methuen Police officers organized and refereed the basketball games, which were held every Thursday evening from July to September at the Tenney Street basketball court.

The $1,600 needed to run the league was donated by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Lawrence, which has donated money to run the program for the last nine years. The money is used for t-shirts, trophies and the year-end block party for the players.

“I would like to thank all of those who help to make this program possible every year,” Mayor Zanni said. “It is programs like these that make a positive influence on our youth and provide them with safe activities to enjoy their summer.”

Mayor Zanni and the Methuen Police Department would like to offer a special thanks to Linda Soucy of MAN, Inc., the Kiwanis Club of Greater Lawrence, Roger Blanchette of Q-Tees and Wendy’s Restaurant.

###