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WHEREAS, James Cvetic, a retired Allegheny County Police Officer and Detective, founded the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League (WPAL) 40 years ago; and, as some know it as the "Third Avenue Gym" in the early 2000s where he helps mostly at-risk young men and women. He currently has ten boxing gyms in Western Pennsylvania, all free of charge, which have produced Regional, State and National Golden Gloves Champions; and,
WHEREAS, Gloria Sztukowski, recognized as the pioneer of woman boxing in Western Pennsylvania, was the 1st woman from Western Pennsylvania to attend the Olympic Training Center to study USA Boxing Rules and Regulations and to become certified as a trainer of Officials and Coaches and she has been instrumental in opening ten Police Athletic League Gyms; and,
WHEREAS, on September 1, 2017, Jim and Gloria co-founded Gloria's Gym in Monroeville in order for women to have a place where they do not feel intimidated while they learn the skill of boxing, and in February, 2018, Cvetic and Sztukowski opened the West End Boxing Academy at Pittsburgh Langley; and,
WHEREAS, the WPAL slogan "Always For The Kids" is evident every year when Mr. Cvetic is Santa to thousands of kids collecting toys and cash to purchase toys for underprivileged children at Christmas with other members of WPAL. Last year they gave away Christmas trees, 17,000 toys and over 100 bikes. One such donor for the cause is movie Producer/ Director Mr. Gavin O'Connor, who helped to purchase bicycles for needy children and helped purchase equipment to open a gym in Fineview which is dramatically changing children's lives; and,
WHEREAS, Other donors include: City of Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Pro Bike + Run, Monroeville Mall CBL, Watson Chevrolet, Chrysler Jeep, Pittsburgh East Nissan, Welcome Monroeville, Monroeville Chamber of Commerce, Pgh Business Connection, UPMC, PA State Police, Allegheny County District Attorney, Allegheny County Sherriff Dept., Allegheny County Polic...
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