Glen Cove Community Honors PO Jack McDougal

This year's Glen Cove PTA Council Scholarship Dinner Dance was an overwhelming success because of the tremendous love and support our community has for the honoree, PO Jack McDougal. Officer McDougal, the embodiment of the Hibernian credo "friendship, unity and Christian charity," is perhaps the most easily recognizable man in blue around Glen Cove. His dedication to children of all ages and with varied needs, his patriotism and his volunteer efforts are just a handful of reasons Jack was chosen by the PTA Council.

On behalf of the City, Glen Cove Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp presented a citation to PO Jack McDougal in recognition of his commitment to Glen Cove children and his outstanding record as a police officer. All photos by Peter M. Budraitis Photography

The evening was filled with praise and emotion and of course, since Jack was being honored, plenty of laughter. Music was provided by the talented Glen

Cove High School Jazz band under the direction of Rich Roselli. Jack received recognition from Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp; State Assemblyman Charles Lavine; County Legislator Diane Yatauro; Interim Superintendent of Glen Cove School; Dr. Jerry Cicchelli; members of the Glen Cove school board and school district administrators; the Glen Cove Teachers Association; the Community Scholarship Fund; Pat Hall, president of the Glen Cove PBA; the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club; the Glen Cove Youth Bureau; SAFE (formerly GCCCASA); and last, but not in any way least, Ed Doohan on behalf of the Glen Cove Hibernians. Not to be outdone, Karen McDougal, Jack's wife, paid tribute to her husband and his unique attributes that make him a worthy honoree of an organization that, like Jack, advocates for children. Her explanation to Jack, when he asked her why she thought he connected so naturally with children was, "Of course it's natural, you never grew up."

At the 2005 Community Scholarship Dinner Dance, honoree Jack McDougal is pictured with his wife Karen and the Glen Cove PTA Council executive board: Irene Leahy, treasurer; Marion Voegtlen, co-president; Marilyn Abrams, vice president; Carolyn Boz, recording secretary; Zefy Christopoulos, corresponding secretary and Tina Hament, co-president.

And in the not to be outdone by his wife category, Jack himself paid tribute to Karen and to friends and role models who have always been there for him. "Jerry Caparella is always asking me what he can do to support any fundraiser I get involved with. Sometimes I have to find a fundraiser just to get him to stop asking."

Honoree McDougal ending his talk by elaborating on the standard "I thank God" remark that so many athletes, actors or musicians say when they receive an award. "I'm going to be more specific," he said. "Thank you, God, for so many good people to care about and thank You so much for so many good people who care about me."

The Community Scholarship Fund has been awarding college scholarships to Glen Cove High School students since 1957. They are funded through donations from individuals, corporations, the annual PTA dinner dance and the interest from endowment funds.