Like a scout sitting in the stands watching a high school ball player that has the potential to be a big leaguer, signing him and taking him to the big show, three local public safety members saw a big league opportunity for our community.  Although it wasn’t the major leagues they had in mind, or even a player. It was charity through the camaraderie of public safety.

 

Jeffrey Moseman of the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Edward Fenichel of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department along with Tom Hubmaster of the Hudson Valley Renegades and Bill Gilbert of BG Entertainment had a simple idea around this time last year, a baseball game on 9/11 with local police officers and firefighters playing to raise money for charity. Stephen Reverri of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office became part of the committee and together they were able to make the game, dubbed “Guns vs. Hoses”, a reality. The went on without a hitch; bringing more than 1,500 people together in support of public safety.

 

New York Giant Hakeem Nicks, New York Ranger Ron Greschner, New York Met and Yankee Dwight Gooden and New York Yankee Shane Spencer were all there thanks to BG Entertainment to show their support and provide the crowd autographs and memorable photos! The money raised went to the Paul Tegtmeier Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation.

 

Moseman, Fenichel and Reverri had witnessed firefighters and police officers working together at emergency calls for years. Now, in a different environment, the firefighters’ and police officers’ friendship on and off the field, during the practices and at the meetings, shined. The idea of Guns and Hoses being more than just a single baseball game hit them and the research about how to make this a charitable organization began.

HEROES WORKING TOGETHER

Reverri, who serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations including the Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation and the New Horizons Foundation, had worked with the Community Foundation of Dutchess County in the past and was aware of their mission to work directly with people to create permanent charitable funds and make grants that strengthen our community so the quality of life in Dutchess County’s future will be even better than it is today.  He, Fenichel, and Moseman explored the opportunity of becoming part of the foundation and their parent agency, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley by contacting Christine Kane, Vice-President of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.  After several meetings, it was agreed that the Hudson Valley Guns and Hoses and the Community Foundation of Dutchess County would be a perfect fit.

 

On February 14, 2013 it became official. Reverri, who was named President of HVGnH by Moseman (Vice-President) and Fenichel (Treasurer), signed the contract and Hudson Valley Guns and Hoses officially joined the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, just like a highly recruited prospect would want to attend a top NCAA program or get a big league contract. The exception here is that the contract ensures that our public safety community, working hand in hand, will continue their charitable endeavors by implementing their mission: helping their brothers and sisters in need and assisting children in the community.

 

For more information on the Hudson Valley Guns and Hoses, visit their facebook page or email HVGunsandHoses@gmail.com.  For more information on the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley visit www.cfhvny.org.

HEROES JOIN FORCES TO CREATE NEW CHARITY