Senator Padavan and Council Candidate Dan Halloran at the DWARF GIRAFFE ATHLETIC LEAGUE PICNIC
On September 12, 2009, the DWARF GIRAFFE ATHLETIC LEAGUE PICNIC at Harvey Park was held despite overcast skies. Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Refreshments, Family Games & Prizes marked the occasion for the youth atheletic program. State Senator Frank Padavan and City Council Candidate Dan Halloran joined the board of the DG’s at the event. Halloran and his brothers participated in the DG program in theiryouth.
The program, founded in 1955, when some young men who played softball together, called the smaller guys “Dwarfs” and the taller “Giraffes”, decided to form a social club and try to help the youth in the community. They went to a local parish priest, the late Reverend O’Connell of St. Luke’s Church, with the idea of fielding one or two baseball teams for youngsters. The turnout was overwhelming, with over 200 boys signing up. Thus the Dwarf-Giraffe Boy’s League was born. In 1966, the League purchased its present site at 149-50 15th Road. It was formally the Rialto Theater, known by some in the neighborhood as the “Itch”. A Jewish congregation had earlier purchased the building, establishing it as Temple Hillel. The theater floor was gutted and the room converted into the gymnasium and basketball court. The non-profit, non-sectarian organization then began to expand in the late 60’s into football, basketball, bowling and soccer. The youths ranged in age from 8 to 25. A public bingo program was run once a week which enabled the organization to pay off the $50,000 mortgage for its building in less than six years. Grants and sponsorships in addition to other fund raising activities have allowed the league to maintain and improve its facilities over the years.
DG currently offers member participation for boys and girls from age 5 to 18 in five major sports programs – baseball, girls’ softball, basketball, tackle football and roller hockey. Over the years DG has offered programs to thousands of youngsters with an emphasis on instruction, sportsmanship and teamwork. DG would like to enhance its programs and if possible expand and offer additional programs. The operations of DG are community oriented and strive to serve the athletic and social needs of the boys and girls in our community. Business owners are strongly encouraged to become team or corporate sponsors to future this endeavor.
