Helping the kids of Broad Channel - One of the Good Guys...

From the July 14, 2001 edition of The Courier Sun -

Fred Ciappetta

Co-founder of the Boy Scouts in Broad Channel

COMMUNITY ENVOLVEMENT: Fred Ciappetta co-founded the Boy Scouts troop in Broad Channel with a few of his friends: Joe Panetta, Rick Sorentino and Bobby Sacco. He also runs a local boys’ swim team for the Catholic Youth Organization. After he realized he was losing members of his swim team to the Howard Beach Boy Scouts, he decided it was time Broad Channel had a Boys Scouts troop of its own. Ciappetta called the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in the beginning of January, and after approximately four months of filling out paperwork and completing the required training exercises, the Boy Scouts of Broad Channel became an official troop.

PERSONAL: Ciappetta is married and has two children: an eight-year-old son named Anthony and a three-month-old daughter named Dianna. In his free time, he enjoys fishing in Jamaica Bay.

OCCUPATION: Ciappetta owns Ruffle Bar in Broad Channel.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Ciappetta said the biggest challenge with regards to the Boy Scouts was, “to get enough parents to volunteer and help out.” He explained that he needed volunteers to supervise the multiple packs. “Now we have over 15 volunteers,” he said.

FAVORITE MEMORY: Ciappetta said his favorite memory is the 10 mile river hike he did as a child when he was a Boy Scout. He truly enjoyed the activities that the Boy Scouts offered, including hiking and canoeing. “I like it out there in nature,” he said.

INSPIRATION: Ciappetta said his inspiration is, “to help the kids in the community . . . When I grew up we didn’t have much. I want to provide something [for the boys] to keep them out of trouble and on the straight path.”