City teachers, supervisors provide pizza for team
The Asbury Park Education Association and the Asbury Park Principals and Supervisors Association have banded together to provide pizzas for the entire Blue Bishops Football Team, cheerleaders, coaches and band for their victory Dec. 6 in the State Championship game held at Rutgers Stadium.
APEA President, John Napolitani, was approached late in November to see if he could lend some assistance through his union to provide food for the athletes. He in turn approached Howard Mednick, APPSA President, and the two together decided to donate to this most worthy team.
“This is a great way to show our support and appreciation to all the student athletes and dedicated coaches for a job well done for a successful season,” Napolitani said.
Mednick said the players are exceptional students.
“Some of whom I had the distinct pleasure of seeing grow up while I was the Principal of the Bangs Ave. Elementary School,” Mednick said. “They have grown up into outstanding athletes and respectful young men.”
This is the first time that the two associations have gotten together to work on a project to give back to the students. Both associations have done their own “donating” in the past, Napolitani said.
“Once again, our association is giving back to the community that we are so proud to serve,” he said. “I am especially pleased that Howard (Mednick) joined me in this project. He didn’t even think twice about this request.”
40 pizzas were ordered from TJ’s in Asbury Park, which gave both the associations a substantial discount.
“Diane Marrucca, of Jimmy’s Restaurant, was even gracious enough to donate money, which provided soda and incidentals for the celebration,” Napolitani said. “I am extremely appreciative of the fact that Sam from TJ’s worked with us to provide a great price. It’s our pleasure to give back to the businesses in the city where we educate our children. We will continue to do whatever we can to assist the children that we educate on a daily basis.”
The APEA has also given away thousands of dollars in scholarships over the past two years.
The APEA was the first group to provide a breakfast for the athletes in October. Since then the city has paid the cost of breakfast for the players of the team. The breakfast was provided weekly from Frank at the Market Danieli in Asbury Park.
“The real pleasure is seeing success with our students both academically and athletically,” Mednick said. “They proved this by their margin of victory last Saturday.”
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