The Lee County Sheriff’s Youth Activities League (SYAL) recently appointed its new board of directors. The following individuals provide direction and oversight in the organization’s mission to lead and inspire youth in an effort to transform their lives and become healthy, civic-minded citizens of Lee County through community-based activities and programs:
President – Hannah Pelle, United Way
Vice president – Jay Anderson, Stay Alive…Just Drive
Treasurer – Neil Hopgood, Diamond Head Resort & Spa – SunStream Resorts
Secretary – Colleen Via, Lee County Parks and Recreation
Executive director – Lieutenant Larry King, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Director – Kim Samuelson, Golisano Children’s Hospital
Director – Regina Toops, D.R. Horton
Director – Carrie Root, Children’s Advocacy Center
Director – James Chouinard, James A. Chouinard, CPA, LLC
Director – Jeffrey Peterman of Fort Myers
Director – Staff Officer Claude “T” Tyus, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
New board members
Director – Lena Neroni, Michael DeCarlo Foundation
Director – Joey Belanger, The Fort Myers YMCA
Director – Lisa Weaver, Lee County Parks and Recreation
Director – Susan Malach, MLS Title
“The board is dedicated to fulfilling our mission to develop and implement youth-oriented activities by partnering with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and groups that have a positive impact in the community and the young people we serve,” explained Lee County Sheriff’s Youth Activities League president, Hannah Pelle.
The Sheriff’s Youth Activities League was established to fulfill the need for recreational, educational, cultural and social activities for the youth of the community by partnering with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Activities are held at various locations throughout Lee County to include Lee County Parks and Recreation facilities. Archery, basketball and swimming are among the popular programs held at locations such as Veterans Park in Lehigh Acres, Schandler Hall and the community pool in Tice, as well as Bonita Springs YMCA and the latest addition at Suncoast Estates in North Fort Myers. Archery may be announced very soon in Cape Coral and Fort Myers locations, while North Fort Myers is planned for another basketball league in early 2017. These and other activities instill confidence, leadership, good sportsmanship, respect, high morals and character in the young people served.
One of the organization’s most popular events, the Teen Driver Challenge, encourages participation from students from all over Lee County. Teen drivers who attend the class, taught by deputies from the Sheriff’s Office, learn new skills through hands-on driving exercises and become better, safer drivers. Close to 1,000 teens have successfully completed the program, which was first introduced in late 2009. The classes are available 10 months out of the year and participants must have a valid permit or driver’s license to attend. For more information visit LeeCountySheriffsYouthActivitiesLeague.com.
