'Breaking Borders' program enjoying success
"We are very pleased that the Red Bulls and the New York Police Team are doing this work for the children of our city," Uribe said. "On behalf of our community, we would like to present them with the Key to the City and to assure them that our doors will always be open to them."
Also on hand to praise the group from New York was the Governor of the Department of Caldas, Pilar Lours, who officially appointed them the Guest of Honor of the Department of Caldas.
"We are honored to have our department chosen for these clinics and to receive the donations," Lours said. "The children who benefited from this effort you are making will remember these moments for a long time."
After the New York Police Deparment and Ernesto Motta from the New York Red Bulls were recognized, Motta was grateful in accepting the honors and continued to relay the message the purpose of their project.
"On behalf of Red Bull and the NYPD soccer team, we are touched by your gratitude. There was no need for the kind of attention we received from the Government and the City," Motta said. "Our only goal is to draw a smile on the children who visit and for us, it is with great satisfaction that we can do this."
The Police Department of Caldas also recognized the efforts of the members of the NYPD by giving the boys in blue the highest honor given to those who are not part of the local force. Colonel John Jaime Ospina Loaiza gave the "Shield of Honor" to NYPD Lieutenant Ronald Mejia.
"We are honored to receive this distinction and we were very impressed by the reception we received and the logistical support they gave us by putting a police bus at our disposal," said Mejia. "All this would not be possible without Dino Dominguez and Ernesto Motta on this project. The Red Bulls made this project a reality through the donation of t-shirts, balls, sports equipment, etc. Thanks to this great sports organization, we are here to share unforgettable moments with the children."
The group conducted five soccer clinics; one in Armenia, two in Manizales, and two in Santa Rosa. The NYPD team is not only enjoyed giving back to the communities, but played against teams in the cities along the way. They played two matches thus far, tying with the Police Manizales,1-1, and losing, 2-1, to Armenia. Their third and final match was a 4-0 win in the city of Pereira.
The Secretary of Sports of the Municipality of Manizales, Carlos Arturo Buritica Atehortúa, joined in on showing support for the project by attending the clinic and donations made to San Jose, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Manizales.
"We are very fortunate that the delegation choose this neighborhood where the residents are truly grateful for these donations," Atehortúa said. "I want to thank you on behalf of the Secretary of Sports for this very nice gesture. Mr. Motta's words are clear: never lose hope and through sport and if you pursue a healthy lifestyle along with schooling, you will increase the potential to succeed in life."
