On Friday, August 24, 2018, President Frank M. Zuccarelli and the Thornton Township Board of Trustees will host its 2nd Annual Thornton Township Taste Tourney Basketball Competition, “I Put It Down For My City!” The tournament is also sponsored by the township’s Faith, Dignity, and Respect Initiative (FDRI).
The games will be held at South Suburban College Gymnasium, 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, Illinois. Doors open at 5:00PM, Tip Off for game is 5:30PM. Trophy ceremony scheduled to begin Friday evening, 9:30PM. Last year’s winner was Village of Lansing.
President Frank M. Zuccarelli said, “Last year was an incredible success and people really understood that kids and police officers should be playing together instead of against each other.” Zuccarelli further stated, “We felt like it brought the community together even more and that is the [type] of program that we support in Thornton Township.”
According to President Zuccarelli, the program’s goal is to help communities, teenagers and the police departments work together. Teenagers and police will play on the same team for the pride of their town.
Ernst Lamothe Jr, Thornton Township Public and Community Relations Manager said, “There are six teams competing, but representatives from almost all 17 villages and towns will be in attendance for the event.” Lamothe further said, “This is done with our Faith, Dignity and Respect Initiative. This is an anti-violence/community policing event that is focusing on bringing the community together especially with all the recent violence.”
Lamothe continues, “When teenagers are able to see police officers out of [their] uniforms and have meaningful interactions with them, it [carries] a lot of weight.” “Tournament Rules: Double Elimination. Each team will play a minimum of two games. If you lose twice, you are knocked out. The winner will be crowned that night and awarded the trophy,” said Lamothe.
Recently, in Chicago, violence has reached high national levels. Thornton Township is putting these kinds of events together in hopes of bringing everyone together.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Ernst Lamothe Jr at 708/596-6040 Ext. 2020.
