Municipal Credit Union Honors NYPD HOPE Creators as Most Valuable New Yorkers

New York City - Municipal Credit Union proudly recognized NYPD Deputy Inspector Paul Valerga, Sergeant Zagham Abbas and Police Officer Anthony Passaro with MCU’s Most Valuable New Yorker (MVNY) Award during the St. John’s University Men’s Basketball Game held at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, January 27, 2019. Deputy Inspector Velerga, Sergeant Abbas and Police Officer Passaro were honored for their work in creating and developing NYPD HOPE (HOPE Program), an outreach program that strives to make a meaningful difference for children across New York City who are facing obstacles often related to serious and sometimes terminal illnesses.

Since its inception in early 2018, the HOPE Program has partnered with various foundations, including Make-A-Wish and Be Positive, to create opportunities for participating children to spend a custom-tailored day with members of the NYPD Community Outreach Division. Through this program, Community Outreach Officers work to create and nurture lifelong bonds with these children and their families, by showing support during treatments and organizing special events such as trips to Brooklyn Cyclones Baseball games at MCU Park and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“We’re very proud to recognize Deputy Inspector Velerga, Sergeant Abbas and Police Officer Passaro as Most Valuable New Yorkers,” said MCU President & CEO Mark Ricca, who presented the MVNY recognition. “Their work in creating the HOPE Program has already helped countless families in our communities facing unimaginable circumstances with simple acts of kindness that go a long way in the fight to wellness. These individuals and the entire NYPD HOPE Team truly embody what it means to be an everyday hero.”

This is the third year of the MCU Most Valuable New Yorker program, which was created to recognize the hardworking men and women of New York City who selflessly go above and beyond to make New York a better place to work and live. Municipal Credit Union is proud to celebrate these individuals for their dedication to serving their communities and their inspirational stories that motivate each of us to make New York City amazing. MCU honors Most Valuable New Yorkers at various events throughout the city, including St. John’s University Basketball games, CUNY Athletics events, and Brooklyn Cyclones games held at MCU Park.