Ledyard Police Union Pays it Forward

Ledyard Police Union officials presented Athletic Director James Bunnocore a check for $600 which could pay for six students to participate in organized sports offered at the high school.

Police Union President Dan Gagnon said that the union had contacted Buonocore after thinking of how to best donate money received during the summer’s fundraiser.

“It makes sense to help the students at our high school, specifically our sports teams,” said Gagon. “Participating in school sports helps to build self confidence, cultivate a sense of teamwork and it promotes academic responsibility as well as physical fitness.” 

The $600 will cover six student athletes for the spring season. The donation will be very useful and it is greatly appreciated, said Buonocore.

“Our pay to play account is used to pay for transportation of our teams to away contests and officials fees for all home games and these costs rise each year so any help we can get to make our payments is very much appreciated,” said Buonocore. “The generosity and thoughtfulness of our town police department is remarkable and our student-athletes, coaches, and administration are very grateful for their support of Ledyard High School Athletics.” 

The spring sports offered at LHS are baseball, softball, boys track, girls track, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, boys tennis, girls tennis, and golf. Buonocore said there are approximately 350 students participate in spring sports this school year and that more than 50 percent of the student body participate in some athletic offering during the year.

“The (Ledyard Police Union’s) is the first donation that we have received this school year that will have a positive impact on our pay to play account,” Buonocore said. “We have many outstanding organizations that support our athletic teams at Ledyard but this donation is the first that will go directly towards our pay to play account.”

Buonocore said the school charges $100 per sport, per student but that fee is capped at $200 per student and $400 per family. The school is able to waive the pay to play fee for various reasons and this donation will be helpful toward that end.