NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JULY 2014
55
Union Township’s Man of Steel Challenge
On June 27, several members of the Township of Union Police
Department Local 69 participated in the town’s first “Man of
Steel” challenge at the new Club Metro Gym on Morris Avenue.
This charity event, organized by members of the Local, was
dedicated to the memory of fallen Honorary Union Detective
Robert Perez. All the proceeds collected went to the Special
Olympics New Jersey.
Officers participating in this year’s event were able to choose
between two different physical challenges: a six-mile run and
20 miles on a stationary bike or a 13.1-mile run and 50-miles on
a stationary bike.
Claudio Burgos, the Club Metro manager, stated, “It was our
pleasure to assist the Union Police Department’s participants
with the Special Olympics and we are thrilled that our gym was
used during this extraordinary event. The Union Police Department will always have a home at Club Metro Gym and we can’t
wait to help with their next event.”
After the officers completed the demanding event, they were
invited to the Red Cadillac on Morris Avenue for a charity luncheon.
Red Cadillac owner Joe Montes said, “It’s great that the Union
Police Department and the Red Cadillac are able to team up
and help raise money for such a great cause.”
The charity luncheon was a huge success and the restaurant
was able to collect more than $1,000.
“For a long time the Union Police Department has been raising money for the Special Olympics and this is just another fine
example of the outstanding job done by our officers,” stated
Assemblyman Joseph Cryan.
“I am extremely proud to be able to play a role in such a great
charity and it was a great experience to test myself with such a
difficult physical challenge,” said event organizer and Union
Township Sergeant Michael Boll. “This year we were able to collect more than $3,000 which will assist the New Jersey Special
Olympians in their training.”
For more than 15 years, the Union Police Department has
been collecting money and having officers volunteer for the
New Jersey Special Olympics. Union Police Director Dan Zieser
stated, “The Union Police Department has always been committed in helping the athletes of the New Jersey Special
Olympics and our department will always do whatever it can to
make a difference in so many lives.” d