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Bellmore-Merrick athletics debuts new guardian caps
At practices, football players in the district get a new, protective look By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
AS ThiS SEASoN’S football camp kicked off last week for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s three varsity football teams, some players donned a new, protective padding on their helmets, called guardian caps.
f you pass a high school football practice this fall in Bellmore-Merrick, you may notice that not all of the players’ helmets look the same. Players are now wearing guardian caps, a soft-shell helmet covering that reduces the impact a football player endures when they fall to the ground, and consequently, the risk for a head injury. The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is kicking off
the season by providing all three varsity football teams guardian caps, making it among the first districts on Long Island to do so. In the Central District, there are three high schools — John F. Kennedy High School and Wellington C. Mepham High School in Bellmore, and Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick. Eric Caballero, district athletic director, said football lovers may notice these caps being worn by players on television, at various levels of play. “As the Continued on page 4
Bellmore-based crisis center says, ‘Let’s walk, ‘let’s talk’ By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and for the first time in since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Long Island Crisis Center will raise money and awareness — simply by walking. Its 14th annual event, “Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk-Ste pping Together to Prevent Suicide,” is slated for Sunday, Sept. 18 on the Long Beach boardwalk. It’s one of the Bellmore-based crisis center’s biggest events, but had to take place virtually the last couple of years. Since its first journey in 2009,
the crisis center walk has provided a chance for people to come together and raise awareness for suicide prevention, said Debra Katz, a volunteer counselor for the center’s crisis hotline. Many use the day as an opportunity to remember those they may have lost. “I think that, for people who have lost loved ones to suicide, even though their loved ones are always on their minds and in their hearts every day, the walk is exclusively for their memory,” Katz said. And there is always strength in numbers, said Tawni Engel, the crisis center’s associate executive director.
i
t has really added a lot to my life.
DEBRA KATz
volunteer Long Island Crisis Center “We’re all coming from this like-minded place of wanting to support one another,” said Engel, who worked her way from an intern in 2008 to her current leadership role about a year ago. “It’s a somber day, but we try to keep it upbeat.” The walk’s festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m., at 1 Laurelton Blvd.
Besides the actual walkers, those showing up can expect music, Engel said, along with informational tables and booths from various organization. The morning program also honors the crisis center’s person of the year, and feature speeches about suicide awareness. The walk itself starts at 11:30. Those joining the physical
part will find a specific walking path to follow, said Susan Slagg, the crisis center’s operations manager. But there is no pressure for anyone to walk the entire time. “I always say (the event) is good for the non-walkers, too,” she said. “The walk is more for people to get together, and bring Continued on page 12