The MacArthur Generals Safe at Home Charity Softball Game was held on May 29 and as founder of what turned out to be a terrific day, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank some of the community members who helped me put this event together. First, the family of the late Thomas Zdrodowski. The courage and perseverance that you show are something that many people can learn from. To Paul Schmidt, who put up with quite a bit of verbal harassment while tirelessly umpiring and who supplied a tremendous amount of donations, I thank you. To Councilman Gary Hudes and Legislator Dennis Dunne Sr., I thank you for taking the time out of you busy holiday schedule and for the honor of the certificate of recognition. To Mrs. Mege, Mrs. Puka, Mrs. Gattus, Mrs. Cataldo, Mrs. Studer, Mrs. Morrison, Samantha Smith and all of the other volunteers, your effort and time will forever be remembered. To Coach Sipp (you still got it!), Coach Costello, Coach Bergersen, Mr. Gattus and all of the relatives of the baseball players, I sincerely hope that you were not too sore the following day. To all of the players who participated, thanks for doing the right thing. To Gennaro Jewelers for the beautiful watch donation, and last, but not least I would like to thank my mom, Kathleen Vaughan-Ware, who instilled in me at a very young age the value of helping others, and whose unique sense of humor that she brings to everything I can only hope to inherit. I love you.

Joseph E. Quiros