The North Bergen Police Department raised the 10th highest amount of money in the state in last year’s New Jersey Torch Run for the Special Olympics at $10,000, but that was not enough for Capt. Robert Dowd.

Dowd has been involved with the torch run since it began in New Jersey in 1984 and coordinates his department’s fundraising efforts.

This year, the North Bergen department participated in the run and also held a charity softball game and other events – amassing more than $13,000 for the cause.

The run

In the torch run, police departments throughout New Jersey raise funds throughout the year, culminating in a run in which 3,000 officers carry a torch through different municipalities.

This year’s run in Hudson County began on Friday June 12 at 10 p.m. on 91st Street, where 30 North Bergen Police officers carried the torch and passed it onto different law enforcement agencies in Hudson County, all the way to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutors carried it to Newark, and it made its way to Kingston, N.J. by 6 p.m.

Game raises funds

This year, Dowd decided that he wanted to do more, so he coordinated a charity softball game last weekend that helped raise an additional $5,000. This brought the total raised by his department to $13,000 for the year.

For the tournament, food and refreshments were donated by Hashways Deli, ShopRite at Columbia Park, Farley’s Franks, and Beverage Plus. They were prepared and sold by police officers. Sponsors of the game donated funds, like Napp Grecco Construction, which gave $1,000. Champion Construction gave more than $500.

The American Legion, Marks Tavern, WOW Gym, Smokin’ Cigar Shop, Tonnelle Liquors, Jimmy D’s Z Lounge, Union Auto Parts and the North Bergen Supervisors Association all donated no less than $250, said Dowd at the event.
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“The Special Olympics are extremely important.” – Nicholas Sacco
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Ten teams participated in a tournament game that was won by the West New York Police, who defeated the North Bergen Federation of Teachers. Other teams included the North Bergen Department of Public Works, Union City Police, United Nations Security, Hudson County Sheriff’s Department, Hudson County Corrections Department, Applebee’s Restaurant, and Jimmy D’s Z Lounge.

For a good cause

“The Special Olympics are extremely important,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “It’s a completely charitable organization, so they certainly need people to raise funds for them, and this is what the North Bergen Police Department has done. I give them a great deal of credit, as I do with everyone here raising funds for this cause.”

Even North Bergen students helped raise funds with “dress-down days,” said Dowd. The school system raised $3,030 this year, surpassing last year’s $2,700 contribution.

Police Chief William Galvin said that almost all of the teams in the softball game raised funds for the Special Olympics on their own. He said that his officers had “worked their tails off” and had “outdone themselves” this year. He especially noted the determination of Dowd.

Detective Enrique Marrero, who helped run the tournament, said that Dowd “made it happen.”

Edward O’Neil, a DPW employee and the commander of the American Legion Post 33, said that the game was a great opportunity to do something in the community.

“It’s always important to help [the Special Olympics athletes],” said O’Neil. “They have a tough enough time as it is.”

Where the money goes

“In today’s economy, people are really careful where they donate their charitable contributions,” noted Dowd. “With the Special Olympics, 90 cents out of every dollar goes directly to the athletes. New Jersey Special Olympics alone has over 20,000 volunteers in the organization. If you had a child that had an intellectual disability or a closely related physical disability and they wanted to participate in the event, they send you a $100 welcome kit with sneakers and a workout program. They’ll send a trainer or a coach to your home. There is transportation. It’s such a great program.”

Dowd said it was a law enforcement tradition to support this cause.

Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.