Bretton Bowl Receives Most Support Ever

Benefit Raises $40,000 for Bethpage's Needy

By Andrea Halpern

Bretton's Benefit Football Game, also known as Bretton Bowl, an annual football game that serves as a fund raiser for the needy of Bethpage, yielded an estimated $40,000 in the weeks before the winter holidays, according to Gary S. Bretton, who organized the event.

Organizers and participants in Bretton's Benefit Football Game, an annual fund-raiser for the needy of Bethpage, are shown in gear. From left to right, are Gary S. Bretton, Nassau County Legislator Edward P. Mangano (R-Bethpage, 17th LD) and Paul Masi.

Bretton, who is the owner of Bretton's Deli in Bethpage and a founding member and vice-president of the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, established the benefit 10 years ago, when he and some friends challenged each other to a football game. "We said, 'Let's do it for charity,'" he said. When the event raised $3,100, Bretton decided to organize a larger-scale game in order to raise more money for charity. "I said, 'Wow, I wonder if we try harder, how much we could raise,'" he said.

He found out when the next year the event raised over triple that amount. The Bethpage Chamber of Commerce began sponsoring the event after the organization was formed in 1990. The amount of funds raised each year through Bretton Bowl increased throughout the 1990s, and has become one of the most outstanding community efforts in Bethpage.

Despite the consistent high level of participation in the event, Bretton noted that he was amazed by the generosity of his neighbors when he realized that this year, the event had raised approximately $40,000 - the largest amount ever. He said the support was characteristic of the community of Bethpage. "It's a good, community-minded town. They're always there to help somebody," he said. Explaining why local residents and business owners were eager to help the cause, he said, "I think people want to be part of something good." He added, "Bethpage always rises to the occasion to help someone."

This year's football game took place Dec. 14 at Bethpage High School, with Bretton's Deli's team facing a team from BK Sweeney's Parkside Tavern of Bethpage. About 250 people attended the competition, which ended with a final score of 0-0. Bethpage High School student Michelle Jerson sang the national anthem, while Chapter 82 of the Vietnam Veterans of America performed the color guard. A half-time show was performed by members of Broadway Stage Door of Bethpage. Boy Scout Troop 603 also participated.

The event was the culmination of six months of preparation, according to Bretton, who noted that volunteers from the community were abundant. The preparation included mailing flyers to local businesses and residents, and erecting 40 signs telling of the event. The signs were donated by the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce and erected pro bono by Cobra Fencing of Bethpage. Cobra also spent four Sundays after the game taking them down, at no charge, Bretton noted.

The funds for the needy were raised through both monetary donations by businesses and residents and through a raffle that was conducted at the game. The Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, who handles the funds, uses the money to make the holidays easier for about 100 Bethpage families annually, according to Bretton. The gifts are tailored to each family's needs, he noted. Some of the money is also donated to local charitable organizations.

Immediately following the game, a party sponsored by BK Sweeney's was held at the Bethpage American Legion Hall. A party celebrating the 10th anniversary of the event was also held at Governor's Comedy Club in Levittown. "It's amazing it's 10 years," said Bretton. "As long as I'm in business at my deli here at Bretton's, I'll keep it going."