A YUM Publication
No. 5 Vol. 10
OCTOBER 2023
Little Falls National Night Out Spotlights Community Camaraderie Trooper of Darth Vader's legion, impersonated by Brian Costello. Vanesa Apaza, the Little Falls Municipal Alliance's new coordinator, said the organization helps with many different initiatives within the community, in addition to drug prevention. "We work collaboratively with the police department, the Junior Police Academy's L.E.A.D. program, and we celebrate Red Ribbon Week each year in the school district," she said, adding that her position is entirely volunteer, which frees up money to be put forth towards initiatives. Richard Lopez, representative of the New York Red Bulls freestyle crew, said his group loves giving soccer tips for events, camps, and other festivities. He said the Red Bulls
Photos Credit: The Township of Little Falls The Little Falls Police Department and the Township held its annual National Night Out on Aug. 1. By Tina Pappas
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he Little Falls Police Department (LFPD) and the Township held its annual National Night Out, where local residents came out to get to know those in their local public service departments on Aug. 1. The free event is held early August each year and is based on a community-driven campaign, which aims to promote police and community partnerships. Residents were treated to food and refreshments, entertainment and a demonstration conducted by the Little Falls Fire Department (LFFD), which was focused on showing the attendees in the crowd how to put out a car fire, including a makeshift passenger extraction. The event was held in the Little Falls Municipal Building parking lot. Mayor James Damiano, Council President Anthony Sgobba, Councilman Chris Vancheri, Councilwoman Christine Hablitz, Councilman Michael Murphy, Councilwoman Jayna Patel, along with officers of the LFPD, also took part in the event. Tents throughout the parking lot featured the New Jersey Department of Corrections, Little Falls Office of Emergency Management's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), NJ Guardians (LEFC) Law Enforcement Football Club, The New York Red Bulls professional soccer club, Little Falls Municipal Alliance, Little Falls Boy Scouts Troop 14, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, and Little Falls Schools 2/3 PTA . Entertainment included a live DJ and two bounce houses for the kids. Additionally, The New York Red Bulls gave a soccer demonstration and The Misfits of Magic performed a magical show. There was even a visit from an Imperial
Pictured (from left) is Mayor James Damiano, Councilman Chris Vancheri, Councilwoman Christine Hablitz, Council President Anthony Sgobba, Councilwoman Jayne Patel and Councilman Michael Murphy during Little Falls National Night Out on Aug. 1.
are to soccer what the Harlem Globetrotters are to basketball. "We're here to support National Night Out and we thank Little Falls for inviting us," he said. "We really appreciate it and we're happy to give a show for the kids." LFPD Detective Oliver Isshak, President of the of the NJ Guardians (LEFC) Law Enforcement Football Club said his non-profit organization recently hosted its first free soccer camp for kids, with the goal of making soccer available for everybody. ''We're here today in support of National Night Out with our soccer clinic sign-up sheet and some free candy and water bottles for the kids," he said. "This organization is separate from Little Falls Police Department." Isshak explained that five years ago he played for a law
The Little Falls Fire Department gave a demonstration on how to put out a car fire, including a makeshift passenger extraction during Little Falls National Night Out on Aug. 1.
enforcement soccer team called NJ Unified but that he would eventually, along with other fellow officers, create a different organization. "We're all law enforcement officers from the State of New Jersey but we came together to create NJ Guardians because wanted to host free soccer clinics for kids." Local resident Patti Lijoi said she loves coming out to the event each year and brings her daughter along also. "I love how the whole neighborhood comes out, and everyone I talked to said they were coming out tonight," she said. "I think It's great that you can see what the firemen are doing, what the police are doing, and this year I feel they brought in so much more of the community as well. I really feel like this event brings everyone together, so it's a great thing!" Corporal Jon Vanak, who organizes the annual event, echoed the sentiment saying the event is a great way to bring out community, so that local residents can be in touch with their local agencies. "The community comes out and it's always fun, especially for kids when they get to sit inside the fire trucks," he said "And it's exciting when everyone sees the fire department doing the demonstrations." Schumacher Chevrolet and 7-Eleven donated the food, he said. The Little Falls Recreation Department provided the bounce houses this year. "For the first time this year, The Red Bulls were on-hand to demonstrate some soccer skills," he explained. "It's always a terrific community gathering each year." He also added that the event this year had a great turnout. "If I had to guess, it's been the most people we've had in the past few years since we've been doing this."