For years, I’ve worked with the Cicero CanTeen, a youth center that provides a safe and constructive place for teens to go after school. But the CanTeen offers more than that – including meals, games, educational field trips and numerous volunteer opportunities – available to all who wish to attend. Programs like the CanTeen help to make our community a better place and provide a brighter future for our kids.

In 2010, I was proud to help secure $250,000 in state funding to build a new, permanent home for the CanTeen. Even though the economic climate was poor at the time, the state agreed that its programs and services were an essential part of the Central New York community. And so, thanks to the hard work of many individuals and organizations, the CanTeen was able to move into its new home, conveniently located within walking distance of Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

While this was a fantastic accomplishment, the CanTeen relies on community support to continue providing our youth with these safe, positive opportunities. Since 2010, the annual Gus Macker basketball tournament in Cicero has helped to support the CanTeen, while also providing a fun and family-friendly event in our community. Over the past five years, the tournament has raised over $100,000 to help the CanTeen continue to further its important mission.

The Gus Macker organization was a natural partner, and has a story of its own. Before growing into the nationwide organization it is today, the first Gus Macker tournament was held in a humble driveway court in Michigan in 1974. Now, they sponsor events in over 75 cities across the country and host over 200,000 players. And to date, the organization has helped to raise nearly $15 million for local charities.

I encourage everyone to attend the upcoming Gus Macker Weekend. All events will be held at a new location this year – in front of Cicero-North Syracuse High School – located at 6002 State Route 31, in Cicero. The weekend will kick off with a chicken BBQ sponsored by the Cicero Fire Department on Friday, Aug 7. The tournament itself will take place on Aug. 8 and 9. But you don’t have to be a basketball player, or even a fan, to enjoy this family-friendly event; the weekend will also feature performances by the Macker Girls and Karate Johns as well as the much-loved mascot game.

As always, should you have any questions about this or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me at StirpeA@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling 452-1115.