The Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF), a private charitable organization, announced a $20,000 gift to the Brielle Police Department, just in time for the holiday season. Promoting healthy living is one of many concerns that CLF addresses, and this grant will be used to build an athletic facility for the New Jersey police department.
“I see this donation as a thank you to all of the police who everyday make our safety their top priority,” said Jeffrey Citron, co-founder and board member, Charles Lafitte Foundation.
“I live in Brielle with my family and I value the department’s strong commitment to the community. “
“Following 9/11, we worked bucket detail down at Ground Zero, and it left a lasting impression about the importance of being physically fit, “ said Michael Palmer, chief of police, Brielle Police Department. “Daily exercise is key to doing our job effectively, and because of the Charles Lafitte Foundation’s generosity, we’ll be able maintain even healthier fitness levels.”
Currently, the department uses a temporary training facility housed in a first-aid building. Much of the strength training and cardiovascular equipment being used is donated. The new facility will be built near the Magnolia Beach area in Brielle on land that the police department will lease for $1 a year from the town. Construction of the planned 24X40 foot structure should begin soon after the New Year. Members of the community have agreed to donate masonry, electrical, and plumbing work.
The Brielle Police Department employs 14 full-time members, and four Class II Special officers. The department uses various types of patrol, including bike and boat, to survey Brielle, a town with approximately 5800 year-round residents, and summer and weekend population of about 10,000. The department also has a special canine unit. Beyond protecting their community, the Brielle Police Department actively contributes to the area, and even runs a program that puts a day officer on duty in the local school.
About The Charles Lafitte Foundation:
The Charles Lafitte Foundation is a private philanthropic organization founded by Suzanne and Jeffrey Citron. A multifaceted, multi-purposed organization comprised of four distinct project areas, CLF strives to affect innovative change in the areas of education, children’s advocacy, medical research and the arts. Contributions range from single donations to on-going project funding and volunteer work. Grant proposals may be submitted via the organization’s web site, www.charleslafitte.org. Preference is given to proposals and programs that foster significant change for many individuals.
About Jeffrey Citron:
Jeffrey Citron is a technology pioneer and visionary who transformed the financial services industry. As Chairman and CEO of Vonage, Mr. Citron aims to redefine yet another industry — telecommunications.
Some of the more revolutionary financial services developments over the past decade were spearheaded by Mr. Citron. In 1995, Mr. Citron founded The Island ECN, a computerized trading system designed to eliminate the problems associated with order execution. The Island ECN recently was acquired by Instinet Group for 503 million dollars. Today the newly merged company is one of the largest global financial exchanges, and is responsible for more than one in four NASDAQ trades.
Following on the success of The Island ECN, Mr. Citron founded and became the Chairman and CEO of Datek Online Holdings Corp. as Datek transitioned into the online brokerage industry. Under his leadership, Datek had grown to become the fourth largest online brokerage in the US, and was recently acquired by Ameritrade Holdings for 1.3 billion dollars. The newly merged company with nearly 3 million customers is now the second largest online financial services firm behind the Charles Schwab Company. Mr. Citron departed Datek in 1999 and, recognizing a similar opportunity, founded Vonage.
Apart from his entrepreneurial activities, Mr. Citron is continually pursuing philanthropic initiatives. He currently serves on the board of the Montclair Art Museum and through his family foundation routinely funds medical research, supports the Arts and dedicates his time and resources to children’s charities.
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For more information, contact:
Ruder Finn
212.715.1694
woodsa@ruderfinn.com
Jennifer Vertetis
Charles Lafitte Foundation
Contact Jennifer here