BOSTON, Aug. 12, 2015—Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley’s 13th annual Soccer for Peace tournament kicks off in Dorchester tomorrow, bringing area kids together for a day of safe, healthy fun – and, for the first time, a match between Boston police officers and Suffolk prosecutors.
In addition to members of Conley’s office, New England Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton and defender London Woodberry will attend the annual event and be available to take photos with the kids and teens.
Lending assistance and joining the fun will be staff from Catholic Charities St. Peter’s Teen Center, Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Dorchester Youth Collaborative, Upham’s Corner Health Center, the Upham’s Corner Health Center, and Valeo Futball Club. Each of the organizations will receive a grant from the GAP Foundation, which will also be sending 15 volunteers to help set up before the event and clean up after it ends.
Suffolk County youth will also be treated to a presentation with Indy, the only comfort dog working with a district attorney’s office in New England, and a K9 Unit demonstration by members of Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins’ office. The Boston Fire Department and Boston EMS will offer kids fire truck and ambulance tours, and the Boston Police Department will serve up hot dogs and ice cream. Jam’n 94.5 will be on hand playing music and offering activities for the players off the field.
The event kicks off with welcoming remarks by the District Attorney at 12:30 p.m. The games, refereed by volunteers from the Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Officials Association, will begin at 2:00 p.m. After working up an appetite, a young player from each team will be presented with the DA’s Sportsmanship Award and everyone is invited to feast at a cookout made possible by a generous donation from Stop & Shop. Kids will also try their luck in a raffle of gift cards and sports memorabilia. At 3:00, teams drawn from Conley’s office and the Boston Police Department will square off against one another in the spirit of friendly competition.
Each year since 2003, Conley has welcomed Suffolk County residents to Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester, where kids, teens, and adults break off into teams and play one another in the world’s most popular sport. Conley’s office hosts the event as a way to foster harmony, community, and leadership skills for young people while building relationships with Suffolk prosecutors, victim advocates, investigators, and support staff in a fun, end-of-summer activity.
–30–
