Second Annual Game Changers Kicks Off In Lockport
Program free for boys and girls 8 to 18 years old
LOCKPORT, N.Y. - James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) New York Division, City of Lockport Mayor Anne McCaffrey, U.S. Attorney William Hochul, U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of New York, Chief of Police Michael Niethe, Lockport Police Department, and Head Basketball Coach Mike MacDonald, Daemen College, announced that the Second Annual Game Changers will begin on July 1, 2016.
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “While we continue to seize record amounts of heroin nationwide, we are also working with our law enforcement and community partners to stop drug use before it starts. Game Changers is an initiative designed to provide a safe zone for inner city youth to develop healthy life skills, career building qualities as well as academic and athletic development.”
“Thanks to this wonderful program, our youngest citizens have the opportunity to interact with law enforcement in a positive and healthy way,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “In so doing, these children will witness what I have long said - that our police and federal agents are the finest anywhere, and that being an officer entails more than making arrests - it includes living the oath ‘Protect and Serve.’”
Today, at a press conference held at Lockport High School, DEA Associate Special Agent in Charge Wilbert Plummer, Mayor Anne McCaffrey, US Attorney William Hochul, Police Chief Michael Niethe, and Coach Mike MacDonald joined together to kick off the start of the 8-week basketball program providing youth with high-quality athletic training and life skills. Game Changers is a program designed to give kids and teenagers a safe place to go on weekend nights to participate in positive and productive activities, as part of a larger-scale effort to combat crime. The program is free for all participants. This year’s program will take place on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lockport High School and is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 to 18 years.
For questions or more information about registering your child in Game Changers, please call Lockport High School (716) 478-4451.
